Celebrating 50 Years of Saturday Night Live with Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC
In a remarkable celebration of cultural history, Saks Fifth Avenue and Saturday Night Live (SNL) have come together to honor the iconic late-night show's 50 years of entertainment. This partnership merges two of New York City's most illustrious brands, both of which have deeply impacted the cultural landscape of the city and beyond.
Starting January 7, 2025, Saks Fifth Avenue launched a dedicated landing page on their website (Saks.com/SNL50) where customers can explore a collection of SNL-inspired merchandise. This initiative invites shoppers on a nostalgic journey, showcasing memorable sketches and beloved characters from five decades of the show. As an extension of this celebration, the landing page features ten iconic sketches from SNL’s history, each accompanied by summaries and video clips that encapsulate the essence of SNL’s humor.
Emily Essner, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Saks Global, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting how it beautifully combines the luxury and style of Saks with the culture-shaping wit of SNL. “We are excited to partner with Saturday Night Live, bringing together two iconic brands that have shaped culture and delighted our respective audiences for decades,” Essner stated, emphasizing the intention to create experiences that resonate with customers.
Moreover, this collaboration is not just limited to online offerings. Saks Fifth Avenue will also host exclusive pop-up shops at its flagship store in New York and at its Beverly Hills location. The New York pop-up will be available from January 10 through February 10, showcasing exclusive merchandise that includes specialty items from Favorite Daughter and Le Labo Fragrances, both inspired by SNL. The Beverly Hills pop-up will follow, open from January 23 through February 24.
The merchandise itself is as varied as SNL’s sketch offerings. Favorite Daughter's collection features a range of apparel including sweatshirts, t-shirts, tote bags, and jeans, adorned with archival imagery that pays homage to memorable moments of the show. In addition, Le Labo has crafted a unique version of their Classic Candle, infused with the scent SANTAL 26, labeled with the iconic phrase, “Live from New York, it's SANTAL 26!”
Each of these items not only reflects SNL's humor and cultural commentary but also encapsulates the essence of New York's vibrant style. The partnership builds on a longstanding relationship, as the renowned Saks flagship store and the SNL studio at 30 Rockefeller Plaza overlook each other in Manhattan. In a tribute to SNL's 50th season, the show has also introduced a new title sequence featuring cast members at notable New York landmarks, further cementing the bond between the two institutions.
Tom Broecker, SNL's Producer and Costume Designer, noted, “Partnering with Saks Fifth Avenue for Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary is an incredible way to honor the cultural impact of the show over the past five decades.” He emphasized that fashion plays a crucial role in bringing SNL characters to life, making this collaboration a perfect marriage of costume design and storytelling.
The dedicated landing page on Saks’ website invites visitors to revisit beloved moments from the show, blending SNL's comedy with the shopping experience at Saks. With an impressive lineup of iconic sketches like the “Spartan Cheerleaders” and “Debbie Downer,” this partnership breathes the spirit of SNL into the luxury realm of Saks Fifth Avenue.
In summary, the collaboration between Saks Fifth Avenue and Saturday Night Live is a vibrant celebration of culture, comedy, and luxury. It invites fans of the show and fashion lovers alike to connect with the rich history of both brands while celebrating this remarkable milestone in a truly unique way. As these two New York icons gear up for this golden anniversary, their joint effort stands as a testament to the power of creativity and cultural commentary that has defined the past 50 years—and will undoubtedly continue to define the future.