Bloomingdale's Bets Big on Gothic Romance with 'Wuthering Heights' World
- Duration: The 'Wuthering Heights' pop-up runs from January 15 to February 22, 2026.
- Exclusive Collection: The AQUA x 'Wuthering Heights' line features 35 pieces inspired by the film's wardrobe.
- Multi-City Events: The experience expands to 5 additional Bloomingdale's locations from January 15β22.
Experts view this collaboration as a strategic move to merge retail and entertainment, testing the viability of experiential shopping as a tool to drive foot traffic and brand loyalty in the competitive luxury market.
Bloomingdale's Unveils Gothic Romance with 'Wuthering Heights' World
NEW YORK, NY β January 15, 2026 β The windswept moors and gothic romance of "Wuthering Heights" have descended upon Manhattan, not in a theater, but inside Bloomingdale's iconic 59th Street flagship. The retailer today unveiled its latest Carousel shop, an immersive world created in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to celebrate the upcoming cinematic reimagining of Emily BrontΓ«'s classic novel. Running through February 22, the pop-up experience transforms the store's rotating concept space into a moody, romantic landscape, inviting shoppers to step directly into the world of Cathy and Heathcliff.
Beyond the Rack: The New Retail Theater
This activation is more than a simple collection of themed merchandise; it represents a significant play in the high-stakes game of modern luxury retail. As department stores battle for consumer attention against the endless scroll of e-commerce, they are increasingly turning their physical spaces into immersive entertainment hubs. Bloomingdale's has been at the forefront of this "retail-tainment" trend with The Carousel, a permanent pop-up designed as a "retail-is-theater" concept that offers a rotating cast of culturally relevant themes.
The "Wuthering Heights" partnership is a critical test of this strategy. By leveraging the significant cultural IP of a major Hollywood release, Bloomingdale's aims to do more than just sell products; it seeks to create a destination. The goal is to draw in shoppers not just to buy, but to experience, explore, and share. This experiential model is crucial for fostering a deeper customer connection, driving valuable foot traffic, and building the kind of brand loyalty that a simple online transaction cannot replicate. The success of this cinematic world will be closely watched as a barometer for the future of experiential retail.
A Hollywood Romance with Retail
At the heart of the collaboration is the much-anticipated film "Wuthering Heights," directed by Academy Award-winner Emerald Fennell. The movie, positioned as a "bold and original imagining" of the timeless story, stars Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, two of Hollywood's most in-demand actors. With a Valentine's Day weekend release date of February 13, Warner Bros. is targeting a younger, style-conscious demographic of Gen Z and millennials, hoping to capture the lucrative "date-night" audience.
This partnership creates a powerful, symbiotic marketing engine. For Warner Bros., it's a three-dimensional trailer, bringing the film's aesthetic to life and building anticipation weeks before its premiere. For Bloomingdale's, it's an opportunity to offer something truly unique. The centerpiece of the shop is the exclusive 35-piece AQUA x "Wuthering Heights" collection. Inspired by the film's wardrobe, designed by Oscar-winner Jacqueline Durran, the collection features statement pieces like flowing dresses with romantic silhouettes, flirty puff-sleeve pajamas trimmed with eyelet and ribbon, and opulent jewelry that evokes the story's dramatic passion. These are not just licensed products; they are fashion items designed to feel like a piece of the cinematic world.
"We're thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. to bring the romance and drama of Wuthering Heights to life through an immersive shopping experience within our Carousel," said Denise Magid, Chief Merchant of Bloomingdale's, in a statement. Dana Nussbaum, Co-Head of Global Motion Pictures Marketing at Warner Bros. Discovery, added that the film's creativity "translates beautifully to the thoughtful and artfully crafted items fans...will be able to enjoy."
Designing an Obsession-Worthy World
Stepping into The Carousel is meant to feel like stepping onto a film set. The design blurs the lines between commerce and creativity, weaving stylized elements of the wild moors and period architecture throughout the space. Scenic backdrops and custom display fixtures evoke the haunting beauty of the moorlands, the gothic interior of Wuthering Heights, and the contrasting elegance of Thrushcross Grange, anchoring the shopping experience in the film's iconic settings.
Beyond the exclusive AQUA collection, the assortment is a carefully curated selection of romantic and gothic-inspired gifts. Shoppers can find exclusive lace lingerie from Hanky Panky, luxurious Slip silk pillowcases, and moody candles from Lollia. The multi-sensory experience extends to floral tea blends from Art of Tea, body oils from Maude, and signature fragrances by TOKYOMILK. The curation aims to provide a holistic vision of the film's world, offering everything from high fashion to home decor. This attention to detail extends to the store's exterior, with dramatic window installations and scenic vignettes designed to stop passersby in their tracks.
Reinventing Valentine's and Galentine's Gifting
Timed perfectly for the season of romance, the pop-up cleverly reinvents the holiday shopping experience. It moves beyond a simple display of heart-shaped chocolates and red roses, offering a sophisticated, story-driven alternative for Valentine's Day gifting. The collection is explicitly designed for "Galentine's gatherings, Valentine's celebrations, and evenings inspired by the film's windswept landscapes," encouraging shoppers to embrace the passion and intensity of the story.
This experiential approach will culminate in a multi-city Galentine's Day celebration on February 7, timed to the film's release week. At the 59th Street and Century City locations, guests will be invited into the "Wuthering Heights" environment for a sip-and-shop event featuring live music, light bites, and brand activations, including styling sessions from Glamsquad and an immersive photo moment. The event aims to bring the film's dramatic energy to life in-store, providing a memorable kickoff to the launch and transforming a shopping trip into a shareable social event.
For those outside New York and Los Angeles, popup versions of the experience will also appear in Bloomingdale's locations in SoHo, Aventura, Sherman Oaks, and Roosevelt Field from January 15β22, ensuring the cinematic romance reaches a wider audience ahead of the film's nationwide debut.
π This article is still being updated
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