anthropologie is an american clothing retailer that currently operates over 200 stores worldwide featuring a curated assortment of clothing , jewelry , intimates , home furniture and décor , beauty and gifts .

anthropologie is part of urbn brands , which includes urban outfitters , free people , bhldn and terrain .

anthropologie

sales were flat at just the anthropologie group compared with the same quarter last year . other anthropologie group brands are bhldn and terrain .
in 2015 , anthropologie customers spent an average of 75 minutes shopping in stores .
an anthropologie store in san francisco . ( david paul morris / bloomberg news )
anthropologie europe on twitter :
oh no ! @ itscarop please contact community @ anthropologie . eu , we ' ll try and resolve this for you !
kaia naturals juicy bamboo natural facial cleansing cloths , $ 15 . 50 ; at anthropologie
this holiday season , anthropologie dreamt up
aurora ,
silver ,
and
quinn .
introducing larger anthropologie stores is the latest in a series of moves by the retailer to show its willingness for risk .
anthropologie is a brand that says , ' we have a lot of different kinds of weird experiences . '
anthropologie is one of the original lifestyle brands whose unique lens on the world has served as a compass in our customers ' lives for nearly 24 years . unique as she is , our customer views anthropologie as a brand that truly gets her .
2 . the name anthropologie was inspired by richard hayne’s college degree in—you guessed it—anthropology , combined with his major in french .
the wonderful ea community has forwarded along a couple of amazing anthropologie diys — one for ourselves and one for the home .
oh no ! @ itscarop please contact community @ anthropologie . eu , we ' ll try and resolve this for you !
check out our favorite looks from the designer collaborations debuting tomorrow on anthropologie ' s brand new online platform made in kind .
i found a lovely anthropologie sweater in a thrift shop today with the anthro hang tag . i didn ' t see this label
still , it is troubling that anthropologie is still wrestling with these problems when it has been aware of them for a long time . a year ago , hayne told investors , “clearly , the task at hand for the anthropologie team is to improve the apparel assortment . ”
part of that final concept includes profiles of three imaginary anthropologie shoppers that catalog everything from what the girl ' s style is like to the type of music she listens to . this holiday season , anthropologie dreamt up
aurora ,
silver ,
and
quinn .
an example of the large - format anthropologie store , which will feature expanded offerings in many departments and a place to eat in some stores .
comparable retail segment net sales increased 2 percent at urban outfitters , were flat at the anthropologie group , and fell 2 percent at free people .
the first anthropologie store opened in wayne , penn . , in 1992 , in a terra - cotta building that had been a car dealership .
in an age where many companies are closing brick - and - mortar stores , anthropologie is focused on retail settings that attract legions of shoppers .
richard a . hayne , the chief executive of urban outfitters , was blunt in his assessment of anthropologie’s problem during a conference call with investors .
i love reading about projects like these ! ! i only wish i had the talent to create them myself . have you created any anthropologie diys ?
tap this watery blush onto the apples of your cheeks for a subtle flush . perricone md no blush blush , $ 35 , available at anthropologie .
what makes anthropologie ' s tactics different is that they ' re based on comfort and inclusivity . my colleagues have noted that
the feeling of anthropologie is like a warm bowl of oatmeal ,
and
the store feels like you ' re walking into a hug from your kindergarten art teacher .
david mccreight , president of urban outfitters inc . and ceo of anthropologie group , said the company is responding to customer demand by rolling out bigger stores .
simply put : it made an unforced fashion error . and now , anthropologie seems locked in a pattern of making the same mistake over and over again .
this lightweight gel contains papaya and grapefruit extracts to gently exfoliate your skin as you cleanse . mario badescu enzyme cleansing gel , $ 14 , available at anthropologie .
this pink - salt bath soak is packed full of soothing epsom salts to soothe tired muscles . leif hibiscus bath soak , $ 36 , available at anthropologie .
last night , i stopped by an exclusive blogger event at anthropologie ' s showroom to check out what they have in store for fall . besides the free sofi
we’ll be reaching for this body butter every time we want to escape to a cabana on the beach . kai body butter , $ 52 , available at anthropologie .
work a dollop of this lightweight cream through damp hair to moisturize , control frizz , and boost shine . rahua finishing treatment , $ 45 , available at anthropologie .
anthropologie is also incredibly strategic about its store blueprint ; furniture and racks must align at 35 - to - 40 - degree angles to create satisfying symmetry for its shoppers .
and anthropologie ' s lifestyle - first approach works . it is the strongest brand in its parent company ' s portfolio ; according to urban outfitters inc . ' s 2014 annual report , anthropologie ' s north american net sales accounted for approximately 39 % of the brand ' s consolidated net sales , which were just over $ 3 billion .
one spritz of this fresh fragrance transports us to springtime in an orange grove . pharmacia eau de parfum in fleur d ' oranger , $ 24 , available at anthropologie .
3 . anthropologie’s in - house collections are based around three imaginary women—each one with a name and characteristics that apply to the store’s central aesthetics : feminine , artistic , and linear .
the new anthropologie stores will measure 20 , 000 to 30 , 000 square feet , more than 21 / 2 times the typical size of the current ones . a larger anthropologie will open in king of prussia mall in the fall , and also in palo alto and walnut creek , both in northern california ; one will open in westport conn . , in spring 2017 .
but for all the quirks that make anthropologie the fascinating brand it is , lavinia says it always returns to one key aspect , which isn ' t even all that innovative : femininity .
you might have bought a dress on its website , or paged longingly through its catalog , or rifled through its quirky offerings in store—but there’s probably still a lot you don’t know about anthropologie .
calling all cat - eye fanatics : this pigmented black liner makes drawing crisp wings easy thanks to the user - friendly felt tip . eyeko eye do liquid eyeliner , $ 20 , available at anthropologie .
in another move to boost its lower performing brands , urban outfitters inc . on wednesday announced plans to roll out larger anthropologie stores during a first - quarter earnings call in which the company reported record sales .
i ' ve never been able to get a name for that one . there ' s another two i can ' t get the name of . i just put
anthropologie 66170
in the title .
the fruit enzymes and lactic acid in this mask gently exfoliate the skin , while cranberry - seed oil and coconut oil hydrate it . ren glycol lactic radiance renewal mask , $ 55 , available at anthropologie .
this finely milled , loose powder has a slight blurring effect when dusted all over the skin , and it never looks cakey or dry . w3ll people bio brightener invisible powder , $ 22 , available at anthropologie .
this brush blends pretty much any makeup product — liquids , creams , powders , you name it — into your skin with streak - free ease . artis oval 6 brush , $ 55 , available at anthropologie .
a sheer layer of this fluffy cream shadow is all you need to add a little definition to your lids before running out the door . rms beauty eye polish in solar , $ 28 , available at anthropologie .
while their sister company urban outfitters may be the ones better known for their designer collaborations ( with the likes of geren ford and rachel comey ) , anthropologie is finally jumping on the collaboration bandwagon in their own special , anthropologie - esque way . instead of launching the collaborations one at a time , they ' re debuting 11 of them at once through a new online platform called made in kind , which will go live on april 5 .
keep this portable blemish stick on hand to stop budding pimples before they form . it’s packed with acne - fighting zinc , salicylic acid , and witch hazel . indie lee blemish stick , $ 28 , available at anthropologie .
while their sister company urban outfitters may be the ones better known for their designer collaborations ( with the likes of geren ford and rachel comey ) , anthropologie is finally jumping on the collaboration bandwagon in their own special , anthropologie - esque way . instead of launching the collaborations one at a time , they & apos ; re debuting 11 of them at once through a new online platform called made in kind , which will go live on april 5 .
did an anthropologie enthusiast create a
personal shopping service
to scam trusting readers out of their money ? that ' s what some are claiming — and their accusations have rocked the weird world of
anthro - blogging .
the anthropologie line debuted in 1991 , and , according to a women’s wear daily article from that year , had “chiffon looks” for its first offerings and “solid and printed lambswool sweaters , miniskirts and leggings” for the fall and holiday seasons .
this sulfate - free shampoo is chock - full of activated charcoal to absorb any and all dirt and oil in the hair without making it feel stripped or dry . apotheke charcoal activated charcoal shampoo , $ 24 , available at anthropologie .
don’t get me wrong , i can find a way to spend absurd amounts of money just about anywhere things are sold , but i’m convinced that anthropologie’s beauty department was made to reel me in so they can take all my dollars .
shopping at anthropologie is an undeniably unique retail experience . the mood lighting , dreamy music , and handcrafted art pieces give the space an overwhelmingly homey feel—and that ' s very much on purpose . everything about anthropologie ' s stores is meticulously calculated . in an age where companies are closing brick - and - mortar stores and spending money on perfecting the e - commerce experience , anthro has its eyes focused on its retail settings and the sensory components that attract legions of dedicated shoppers .
the latest installment of anthropologie ' s made in kind designer collections hits stores today , and includes collections by new york hipster label timo weiland , tea - dress master tracy reese , los angeles indie boutique tenoversix , and artist sophie duran .
this is where the magic of anthropologie comes into play ,
erika lavinia , the brand ' s corporate display director , writes to me in an email .
colors are defined and materials are perfected creating examples of the overall vision , and then these concepts are passed off to the stores for execution . the feeling , mood , and personality of the home office concepts should be understood within each anthropologie location , but the details will make each and every one special .
executives said tuesday that they are taking steps to improve the clothing at anthropologie . they’ve reorganized their merchant teams and have added a new merchandise manager and three new design directors . they hope to see improvement in the back half of the year .
as the weather takes an icy - cold dive , we ' ll be reaching for oil - rich balms like this one to soothe our dry , wind - whipped lips . mini + merry lip balm , $ 12 , available at anthropologie .
purchased a beautiful kachel blouse the other day and did some research to find out where its sold . . anthropologie . maybe i ' ll have to trek to the mall one day and scan over the labels i can find at those popular stores !
anyone who ' s ever walked into an anthropologie store knows that the brand kills it when it comes to colorful , cozy clothing and vintage - inspired home goods . with all the ornate door knobs , chunky sweaters , and pattern - crazy bedding that fill the place , it ' s plenty easy to overlook the beauty aisle . but it makes sense that anthropologie ' s selection of beauty products is just as curated as everything else it carries . it turns out , an incredible array of beauty products lives within anthropologie ' s shelves that perfectly complement the brand ' s aesthetic . so if you dig flapper - era - inspired lipsticks , vintage packaging , and eco - friendly nail polishes , we suggest you take a look at these offerings asap .
melt one dollop of this oil - infused cleanser in the palms of your hands and rub over dry skin . the luxurious oil will whisk away every bit of even the most stubborn mascara . eve lom cleanser , $ 80 , available at anthropologie .
dried flowers , safflower oil , sugar , and vitamin e — these are just a few of the luxurious , skin - loving ingredients in this body polish . posies & co . body polish in fig blossom , $ 28 , available at anthropologie .
the first pair of larger anthropologie stores recently opened in portland , ore . , and in newport beach , calif . , and he said they received very enthusiastic responses . the stores have a full - service shoe salon , which has been a hit .
so , why are the clothes not cutting it ? in a research note , neil saunders , managing director of globaldata retail , may have hit on it : “anthropologie , ” he said , “is still a brand in search of a clear identity . ”
this scented sea - salt spray ( which also happens to be one of our favorites ) and body spray set will leave you smelling like a fresh flower from head to toe . olivine atelier you are loved set , $ 26 , available at anthropologie .
unlike traditional bar soaps , which can leave our skin feeling tight and dry post - shower , this one contains shea butter , colloidal oatmeal , and olive oil to soothe and hydrate . barr - co . marine soap , $ 8 , available at anthropologie .
the company , which also owns the urban outfitters and free people brands , said the enlarged anthropologie stores will feature expanded selections of home products , apparel , and shoes and accessories , including jewelry ; a petite shop ; and , in some cases , a dining experience .
anthropologie demonstrates a similar commitment to the unique with its catalogues . the brand doesn ' t just send out its periodical as a way to exhibit clothing . the booklet is a glimpse into a desired lifestyle . photo shoots take place in foreign markets , abandoned castles , and blooming fields . you ' ll never find an anthropologie item photographed against a white background ; anthro knows its shoppers are more likely to connect with a sweater that ' s worn by a backpacker trekking through a forest—even if you can ' t see the sweater in full .
we were first attracted to this hand cream because of its mondrian - inspired packaging . once we tried it , however , we fell in love with the hydrating ( yet non - greasy ) formula , too . fictions hand cream , $ 22 , available at anthropologie .
anthropologie’s fashion stumbles are somewhat confounding because the business is so smartly managed in other ways . the company has long said it thinks it should have no more than 250 brick - and - mortar outlets . it has been choosy about only being in the toniest and most productive shopping centers .
your lips are easy to neglect when it comes to sun protection . that ' s why we always have a tinted , spf - packed balm like this one ( it has spf 30 ) on hand . coola liplux lip balm in summer crush , $ 18 , available at anthropologie .
anthropologie ' s corporate creative director missy peltz tells racked that the brand aims for an
eclectic , rustic , modern
feel , and that the reason they focus so much on the physical details of the store is because they want to create a fantasy universe shoppers can get lost in .
but why make teddy bears out of thread spools and lanterns out of corks , only to have them live in the store for a short time ? ferrier believes this ephemerality is an important hook for customers . seasonal creations not only seduce shoppers , they convey anthropologie ' s dedication to originality .
is there a customer for $ 410 frocks that will end up smudged with sand , salt water and sunscreen ? you bet . but she’s shopping at calypso st . barth or barneys new york , or perhaps urltoken and matchesfashion . com . that big spender is not the traditional anthropologie customer .
not only will this pin cushion - inspired fragrance look adorable on top of your vanity , it ' ll smell so good on you , thanks to a blend of pink peppercorn , darjeeling tea , and energizing grapefruit . happ & stahns eau de parfum , $ 68 , available at anthropologie .
this isn ' t just any hair brush ; it ' s the iconic , universally loved mason pearson . why is it so good ? because it helps distribute oil evenly , so your blowout lasts longer , and add shine . mason pearson pocket brush , $ 105 , available at anthropologie .
chances are , you know someone who loves this popular tub of balm . ( perhaps beyoncé ? ) the cotton - seed - oil - infused formula hydrates lips , while imparting a soft flush of rosy color and shine . smith ' s rosebud salve , $ 6 , available at anthropologie .
true to anthropologie ' s buying strategy now , the designers comprise a mishmash of indie names : karen walker ( who ' s already previewed some of her anthro pieces ) , gregory parkinson , john patrick , samantha pleet , charlotte linton , pipit , rachel rose and british brand place nationale .
dab this creamy highlighter across your cheekbones , cupid’s bow , and down the bridge of your nose for a dewy , lit - from - within glow that’ll have everyone wondering if you’ve just come back from a beach vacation . wander beauty catch the light highlighter , $ 25 , available at anthropologie .
not only are ilia ' s lip balms packed with hydrating castor - seed oil and cocoa - seed butter , but they leave a semi - matte tint on the lips that ' s pretty and natural - looking . ilia tinted lip conditioner in blossom lady , $ 26 , available at anthropologie .
1 . anthropologie was actually founded by the same people who launched free people and urban outfitters —a man named richard hayne , his wife judy wick , and their business partner , scott belair . after opening fp and uo in the ' 70s , hayne and crew went on to open anthro in 1992 .
for troubled women’s clothier anthropologie , the first warning flags went up back in 2015 . sales were lackluster in the first quarter of the year , a slip that executives chalked up to a weak selection of dresses : some of the silhouettes were wrong , and so were the fabric choices and price points .
nathalie lete and rebecca rebouche are two examples of artists who fortuitously migrated into homewares . rebouche was originally commissioned to create an original painting for the anthropologie in her hometown of new orleans . soon , her works were also hanging in the rockefeller center location . the interactions spurred by those occurrences spawned a mini - collection of bedding , dinnerware , puzzles , and wall art . a similar story is true for lete , a french artist whose paintings were featured in a johnson - curated show at the rockefeller center location . now anthropologie commissions four of her paintings annually , which are featured on a collection of dinnerware .
i ' m a huge fan of eley kishimoto . i lived in london for two years - - where the design duo ' s pieces are in just about every indie boutique in the city - - so i spent plenty of time ogling their original prints and cute suits . that ' s why it ' s so exciting to see the results of the brand ' s collaboration with anthropologie . first launched last fall in london at anthropologie ' s regent street flagship , ek jam factory is now available at several us outposts , as well as on anthropologie . com . for spring , there are six sweet dresses and blouses . ( i ' m especially keen on the red sailor dress with birds . ) and it ' s priced quite reasonably - - $ 148 - $ 228 - - considering their dresses typically start at around $ 400 . here ' s a gallery of the six looks and their preliminary sketches .
the modern version of the journal , which was resurrected in 1962 with the subtitle ' international journal of the science of man ' by an internationally recognised czech anthropologist , professor jan jelínek , is founded on its long intellectual tradition from before the war , and dedicated to pursuing the same aims . under jan jelínek’s editorship , anthropologie continued to be a ' four field ' journal , publishing articles from all the sub - disciplines of anthropology . the name of the journal was modified once again in 2013 , when it became anthropologie - international journal of human diversity and evolution , in order to emphasize both its heritage and broad scope .
by the 1990’s , our original customer was entering a new life stage . she longed for a store to indulge her creative side . dick , realizing this wasn ' t an isolated phenomenon , went on to build a lifestyle brand that catered to creative , educated and affluent 30 - 45 year - old women . anthropologie was born and in 1992 , the first standalone store opened in a refurbished automobile shop in wayne , pennsylvania . anthropologie is a portal of discovery for our customer - offering her a shopping destination with a well - curated mix of clothing , accessories , gifts , and home décor that reflect her personal style and individual passions .
okay , this may be the most fragrant and fast - absorbing coconut oil we ' ve ever used . we love using this 100 % pure , raw coconut oil all over our bodies as a moisturizer and as a makeup remover that works wonders on waterproof mascara . cocovit coconut oil , $ 14 , available at anthropologie .
now that h & m ; , target , urban outfitters , topshop , macy ' s , kohl ' s and every store in the milky way have started shilling designer collaboration collections , fashionista reports that anthropologie is finally caving in and jumping on the cool kids ' bandwagon with its own bunch of sartorial pair - ups .
after the head design team at anthropologie’s philadelphia hq creates each season’s themes , they send photos and mood boards to each store’s design team and let them loose on ideas . “ [ each ] artist has the freedom to interpret the idea how they see fit for their particular architectural space and in [ a ] medium they feel good about , ” ketija ratniece , a visual display artist at anthropologie in san francisco , told the blog whimsical agnesiga . “that way each individual store does not look ‘cut & paste’ but still relate through the concept . ” ( every idea has to be approved by corporate before the store can run with it , though . )
most retailers operate with specific methods , chasing profit via products with the widest appeal . it’s a formula that ensures fun colors and funky styles are pushed aside in favor of the lowest common denominator . meanwhile , clothing and home retailer anthropologie has developed a dedicated and passionate audience by refusing to conform to the conventional wisdom of retailing .
the retailer’s parent company , urban outfitters , reported tuesday that it saw a 2 . 9 percent decrease in comparable sales — a measure of sales online and at stores open more than year — at the corporate division that is anchored by anthropologie . that’s the sixth consecutive quarter that sales have fallen or have been flat on this metric .
first up , kate from scathingly brilliant loved the look of anthropologie’s artist’s rendering dress but couldn’t find one for herself . so instead she made one ! using a white cotton dress as the base kate painted her own version of the dress and the results are incredible . get the full details on how she did it over on scathingly brilliant .
but the catalogs—which the company refers to as “journals” and are often shot in exotic locations—also sell a lifestyle .
retailers think catalogs are consumed by customers looking through them and deciding what they like and don ' t like ,
consumer psychologist adam ferrier told racked .
but catalogs are more used to create the brand ' s vibe . anthropologie ' s consumer is quite strange and aspirational . the brand comes to life in this type of catalog and lets the customer discover . ” susy korb , chief marketing officer of anthropologie , told the new york times , “of course we’re trying to sell clothes and accessories , but [ the catalog is ] more to inspire and engage . ”
according to racked , in 2014 , “anthropologie ' s north american net sales accounted for approximately 39 percent of the brand ' s consolidated net sales , which were just over $ 3 billion . ” its revenue per square foot is off the charts : the brand brings in $ 995 per square foot , compared to $ 696 for urban outfitters stores .
each anthropologie store has its own visual display team that follows creative direction from corporate . every season , a 13 - person unit at anthro ' s philadelphia headquarters develops a concept that then trickles down to the store level . local store display teams can interpret the concept however they choose , so long as they get the final stamp of approval from philly .
retailers think catalogues are consumed by customers looking through them and deciding what they like and don ' t like ,
ferrier adds .
but catalogues are more used to create the brand ' s vibe . anthropologie ' s consumer is quite strange and aspirational . the brand comes to life in this type of catalogue and lets the customer discover .
. “the mainstream culture focuses on what you have . recently , what you do has become more important . we wanted to respond to the shift toward ‘who you are . ’” anthropologie stores would also spark something transformational , he said , “where the visitor ' s imagination was just as important as that of the designer . ” they ' d also be interactive :
meanwhile , anthropologie also appears to be having success in getting its tentacles into new categories . its beauty division saw a “double digit” increase in comparable sales in the quarter , and its home category also continued to have momentum . its bridal concept , bhldn , continues to grow . that diversification of its offering could insulate it somewhat in the future from fashion fumbles .
compared to any other significant retailer , the women who shop at anthropolgie are extremely devoted and loyal to the brand . and while there’s a range of factors that foster this obsession , the root cause is that anthropologie does not merely look to artists with the intent of extrapolating an artistic identity . but the people of anthropologie listen to artists and dialogue with them . hoey summarized , “there’s a secret behind the products : the vast majority have stories behind them . it comes from authentic relationships with our internal design team , as well as artists and designers , in the world . the products we end up with end up becoming something no one has seen before . we spend a lot of time inventing things creatively . ” urltoken
urban outfitters was the first brand of the urbn portfolio to cross the atlantic in 1998 , opening a store on kensington high in london . eleven years later , anthropologie followed , opening a store on regent street , ( also in london ) that spans 11 , 000 square feet across three floors . soon after , the brand opened another location nearby on kings road .
the debut collaborators include karen walker , gregory parkinson , john patrick , samantha pleet and some lesser known names like charlotte linton , pipit , rachel rose and british brand place nationale , for whom this will be a first foray into the north american market . they & apos ; re anthropologie price points , so most dresses are in the $ 120 - $ 300 range .
they are : alaska , iowa , montana , new hampshire , north dakota , south dakota , vermont , west virginia , and wyoming . soon , that number will shrink to eight ; anthropologie will open a store in west des moines , iowa , in 2016 . the store is also international : there are 12 in canada , nine in the uk , and one in france .
it would seem these pieces represent an effort by the brand to lean into new trends , as voluminous and billowy silhouettes are lately taking center stage . but these garments would flatter only the narrowest range of body types and appeal to the most adventurous , deliberate fashionistas . in other words , anthropologie hasn’t figured out how to translate this new aesthetic into looks that work for a mass audience .
we ' ll be honest : we were first attracted to these nail polishes because of the adorable elephant on the label . but after wearing the shades for a few days , we fell in love with the brand ' s vegan and peta - approved formula and color selection , too . ella + mila elite nail polish in bad obsession , $ 10 . 50 , available at anthropologie .
though the size of the design team depends on the time of year and the size of the store , each includes a display coordinator , who brainstorms and constructs both the window and store displays , and a visual coordinator , who merchandises the displays when they’re done . many of anthropologie’s displays are handmade and created with found materials . the budget for the windows is as little as $ 5000 .
our customer is a creative - minded woman , who wants to look like herself , not the masses . she has a sense of adventure about what she wears , and although fashion is important to her , she is too busy enjoying life to be governed by the latest trends . to her , anthropologie is a portal of discovery—a brush with what could be . a place for her to lose—and find—herself .
for any vintage - makeup - lover , the crème de la crème of beauty finds is the perfect tube of red lipstick . although this one isn ' t truly vintage ( meaning you can actually use the lipstick ) , its art deco - inspired packaging feels weighty and luxurious . and the shade is everything you want in a red . albeit lipstick in scarlet , $ 18 , available at anthropologie .
here , you’ll find 30 of the very best products sold at anthropologie right now . they’re all made with the kind of quality organic ingredients you’d expect from a store that prides itself on its earthy mother nature relocates to williamsburg wares , and if you catch an iphone photo of them on your dresser in the right light , you may just be able to channel that baby - bird - feeding dream girl . ( that’s how social media works . )
meg hayne created urban outfitters private label division , which supported product exclusive to urban outfitters . demand was almost immediate and to meet this overwhelming need , she and dick decided to create a wholesale line . it was well - received , so much so that dick separated the businesses . for a while , the line took on many personalities : bulldog , ecote , cooperative , anthropologie and then in 1984 a new life was breathed into the name free people .
for anthropologie , the duo created exclusive candle tapers , handmade from antique pieces of porcelain , tin , and glass . the piece will be featured in an upcoming december catalog . it’s a perfect example of the competitive advantage johnson described when he said , “i do think that we are not really thinking about making huge quantities of things . we may only find a few hundred customers for certain items . but those are the items that get us really excited . ”
the patch nyc for anthropologie collaboration presented an opportunity to explore a range of home product categories including pillows , wallpaper , journals , ceramic mugs and dishes . john designed the grand game wallpaper pattern and the cover art for leather bound journals using don ' s original ink drawings . ceramic plates were made using new chevron art by don while john’s block print collages were transferred onto fabric for embroidered pillows and the pairs work in hand - built ceramics was re - interpreted into oversized ceramic mugs .
the journal anthropologie was founded by jindřich matiegka ( left picture ) , who was professor of anthropology at charles university in prague , on the suggestion of and with financial support from dr . aleš hrdlička ( right picture ) in 1923 . dr . matiegka strongly focused on publishing evolutionary topics written by a broad spectrum of scientists from across the world . he especially welcomed interdisciplinary papers from both the natural and social sciences , and had edited 19 volumes by 1941 , when nazi occupiers closed the university .
are you wondering why these rocks made it into our roundup of beauty products ? well , look closer . they ' re soap rocks — and they smell just as good as they look . plus , they ' re made with a soothing blend of aloe vera , chamomile , and almond oil , which makes them gentle and hydrating on the skin , despite their appearance ( not that we ' d ever dare to use them ) . molton geo soaprock , $ 12 , available at anthropologie .
anthropologie ' s windows can take up to a week to create , and each store is given a budget of less than $ 5 , 000 to work with . display coordinators will reuse wood from previous seasons , while buying things like sequins , paint , and ribbons , to build individual pieces from scratch . while it might be easier to buy items like fake birds and flowers from craft stores rather than making them by hand , gallenstein says the budget fits with the brand ' s overall vision .
the millennium brought with it a new shopping experience , one that wasn ' t a physical location . in 1998 , anthropologie released its first catalog with circulation more than doubling before the end of the year . in august of that same year , urltoken was established . site visits and online orders were well above initial expectations , which fueled investments in future e - commerce efforts . it wasn ' t long before our other brands opened a web store - urban outfitters in 2000 and free people in 2004 .
johnson also pointed out that each of the 160 anthropologie stores is able to customize the location’s visual presentations . there’s no formal set guide to ensure brand consistency for all products . and there’s no cooperate - style localization initiative , such as with macy’s . instead , the consistency is through a dazzling variety of eclectic styles . individual stores are empowered to shape direction based on the local clientele . so while the mood or products might be the same in dallas or chicago , the actual experience can vary dramatically .
in a release , anthropologie says made in kind will function as a gallery
housing multiple exhibitions per month , each dedicated to a single designer or concept .
there will also be editorial content to go along with the collaborations . additionally , select items will be available in stores and through the catalog . click through to see our favorite pieces from the new site , which you can shop this thursday . treasure by samantha pleet is shaping up to be our favorite , but they & apos ; re all real cute .
scented candles are stocked by the hundreds and sales associates even burn incense inside the stores before the doors open . the brand ' s merchandise is displayed not just on racks , but also on tables and quirky shelves , where items are stacked playfully . it ' s kind of like searching through your grandmother ' s closet . all of this is meant to promote customer creativity , jill gallenstein , anthropologie ' s eastern regional display manager , tells me one recent afternoon at the anthro store in new york city ' s rockefeller center .
anthropologie is one of the few stores that appeals to women of every age and every aesthetic—whether you go for the store ' s unique party - dress selection , its delicious sleepwear , or its expert curation of home and beauty goods , it’s impossible to leave the store ( or the web shop ) empty - handed . but despite this popularity , the brand’s history has been somewhat mysterious—until now . our friends at she finds have unearthed some really interesting facts about the brand and its origins , and we’ve rounded up our favorite tidbits for you !
anthropologie is a brand that says , ' we have a lot of different kinds of weird experiences . our handmade display is something no one else has , '
he says .
the craft efforts and the attention to detail creates a store experience where customers will want to take their time , look around at the quirky , and feel comfortable . people will buy into that promise of discovery and purchase a dress , even if it ' s on - trend and something everyone else has , because they feel what the brand stands for .
further , it’s a model which ensures unique and artistic items are developed for anthropologie . this often involves global traveling to find niche creators . after all , in order to create unique offerings , the company needs to search in unique places . the buying team will target a location , like new orleans or amsterdam . they then set about researching and networking to find the most skilled artisans and underground galleries . then city visits , as chronicled in the 2009 sundance channel series man shops globe , initiate an ongoing dialogue between buyers like johnson and localized craftspeople .
anthropologie was started in 1992 by philadelphia - based urban outfitters , inc . , the parent company of urban outfitters , free people , bhldn , and terrain . the brand has nearly 200 stores in the us , canada , and the uk , and caters to
sophisticated and contemporary women aged 28 to 45 ,
as the company puts it . anthro assumes its shoppers have plenty of disposable income , considering the $ 3 , 500 bicycles , $ 400 beverage dispensers , and $ 600 knits it sells . . . and let us not forget that $ 9 , 000 camping tent .
the story of giving . anthropologie has had the good fortune of teaming up with wonderful philanthropic partners over the years . while specific missions have varied , the common thread among our nonprofit partners is their commitment to improving our communities through art and creativity . past partners have included : achieveability ; alex’s lemonade stand ; the barnes foundation ; big brothers , big sisters ; donorschoose . org ; the girl scouts ; pspca ; and the vetri foundation for children , among others . together we have hosted hundreds of charitable events in our stores , with the goal of spreading goodwill within the communities where we live , work and play .
the sundance channel’s man shops globe followed keith johnson as he traveled the world looking for one - of - a - kind items to furnish and sell in stores , and objects that could be used to inspire collections . ( he traveled so much that his passport had 72 extra pages . ) johnston told fast company that , beyond quality , the perfect anthropologie find “has to have a lot of personality . it has to be homey . maybe it has a sense of humor . it has to have a little quirk . people respond to fun—a little whimsy goes a long way . ” man shops globe ran for two seasons .
take holiday 2014’s ladies , aurora , silver , and quinn . “the aurora concept is a holiday girl , so she has a lot of party dresses with shimmer and shine , ” jill gallenstein , anthropologie ' s eastern regional display manager , told racked . “silver . . . is more of a ranch girl . her color palette is much more about sunset tones , a lot of layering , heavier sweaters , a lot of capes . then quinn . . . she ' s more of a city girl . she ' s a little bit more pulled together , buttoned - up , so a little desk - to - dinner wear . ”
anthropologie leases rather than buys its spaces , and often chooses interesting and historic buildings over the mall , using each space’s quirks in the design of the store . “our visual philosophy is to make the store feel as if it ' s a one - off , to feel like it ' s the only one , ” former executive creative director kristen norris told the san francisco chronicle in 2004 . “we capitalize on existing architectural elements . all of the stores have a similarity to them , but none are exactly the same … we want each store to have a unique personality and cater to the customer . the customer in miami is not the customer in seattle . ”
on valentine’s day 2011 , we entered into the world of bridal with the launch of bhldn , offering brides - to - be a carefully edited assortment of wedding gowns , bridal party dresses , accessories , gifts and décor that caters to the bride in search of unusually beautiful things . starting out online only , bhldn opened its first free - standing location in houston , texas , in august 2011 . since then , the brand has expanded , opening another brick - and - mortar location in chicago and several shop - in - shops in anthropologie locations . in addition , bhldn now offers one - on - one styling services so that brides can create an event brimming with unique flair and personality .
the girls and their narratives make it easy to maintain a uniform concept from store to store—and it ' s also pretty fun . what did quinn study in school ? what books does aurora read ? these are the kinds of things store teams get to learn and interpret . and with aesthetic concepts that are purposely vague (
she likes to play with color ,
her clothes have a lot of asymmetry
) , they have a fair amount of creative freedom . these concepts are also meant to apply to all ages , which explains anthropologie ' s wide range in terms of customer age . looking around the store this particular afternoon , i see high schoolers , middle - aged professionals , and grandmothers browsing the exact same items .
to walk into an anthropologie store is to experience another state of consciousness . you ' ve never been the type to own a peruvian - style poncho , and yet , once you spot one artfully displayed on a mannequin , you suddenly imagine yourself swaddled in it while frolicking with alpacas on a hazy hilltop . you don ' t typically purchase girly kitchen gear , but one look at the brand ' s collection of ruffled aprons , whimsical doorknobs , and mismatched teacups inspires fantasies that involve conquering martha stewart baking projects on your next day off . and while you might fancy a fun accessory here or there , anthro ' s enticing selection of floppy hats , tassel necklaces , and jeweled barrettes means you ' re probably going to drop way more money than you ' d ever normally intend .
reese ' s line includes six brightly colored party dresses , perfect for the impending party season . like the timo weiland boys , reese found it easy to fuse her own label ' s aesthetic with anthropologie ' s .
it ' s sort of a natural match . i think that our customer has so much in common , it ' s like almost the same girl ,
she said .
i feel like the customer here , silhouette wise , loves a little fit and flare dress — so do i . we ' re girls ! not just girlie girls , but people who embrace color , are playful . . . not so sober and overly serious . i think that we share a certain spirit .
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consider , for example , a prevailing trend for collaboration in retail : the famous guest designer program—think karl lagerfeld for h & m or macy’s , target’s collaborations with missoni and jason wu , or uniqlo’s guest designer program with the likes of jil sander and opening ceremony . anthropologie’s approach stands in marked contrast to these models . the method is dictated , in part , by johnson . he curates seasonal gallery shows with small groups of artists . the items could be principally fine arts , such as paintings , small crafts or sculpture ; or he might select more functional goods like chairs or bowls . those works then migrate or inform products in the actual stores . it could mean a sketch or drawing ends up on dinner plates or stationary , or a handmade line of furniture finds a larger audience .
cohesiveness comes from the layout and organization of each store , which is meant to mimic a private home . the store’s team creates a series of themed “ vignettes ”—a bedroom or bathroom , for example—that put anthropologie’s merchandise into context . at the front of the store is typically a garden or outdoor entertaining vignette , then dining and kitchen areas , followed by bath and bed . each area tells a story for the customer to explore and discover , and following the movements of going through a home - like layout will help her to “decompress , as you do in your own home , ” norris told the san francisco chronicle . the overall effect , norris said , is that “by the time you get to the back of the store , you ' re as relaxed as you would be by the time you get to bed . ”
in 1971 , wick and hayne got divorced , and belair graduated from wharton and moved on to a wall street career , leaving the free people ' s shop behind . but hayne stayed with the business , and in 1975 , he relocated to a bigger space and changed the store ' s name to urban outfitters , partially in response to the end of the vietnam war . “ [ the war ] had been incredibly divisive , and there was just this amazing change of mood , ” he told philadelphia weekly . “the name ‘free people’ had some political connotations , and they were growing tired . . . it happened to be the time when we were just putting together the deal to move to a much larger space and felt that , in conjunction with that , we should change our name . ” later , hayne would bring back free people , and create anthropologie , under the urban outfitters , inc . umbrella .
our story ours is a tale of our customer . and how listening—really , truly listening—does right by her : then , now and evermore .
our product offering consists of women’s apparel and accessories , intimates , home furniture and décor , beauty and gifts . each caters to the lifestyle of our five muses : soft and delicate ; boho chic ; easy cool ; elegant classic ; and modern sporty . request a catalog here .
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the year was 1970 . dick hayne was just 23 years old when he and college roommate scott belair came up with the idea to open a retail store . belair was in search of a topic for an entrepreneurial class he was taking at the time . the first store , originally called free people , was located in a small space across the street from the university of pennsylvania . its mission was to provide second - hand clothing , furniture , jewelry and home décor for college - aged customers in a casual fun environment .
since the first store opened in west philadelphia we continually strive to connect with our customers through unique products and engaging store design . instead of transforming buildings into something new , we preserve their original features , a trait that has become our signature look . we strip back paint to its first layer , expose brick walls , and use original pieces as displays and fixtures . our approach goes beyond historical preservation – it’s about maintaining a layered history , but infusing a new , fresh atmosphere .