Jezebel 
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New York, 4:57 PM
Sun Nov 29
21 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/08/09
"Since the prices are so high, if you didn't shop at Anthropologie, you could probably afford to fly somewhere and buy some "unique" stuff yourself."
Um, no. I can't afford to travel abroad. And I probably can't afford that bed. But I might indulge in the shams or the duvet. It's as close as I'm going to get to Paris for a long time to come. So what if part of the Anthro experience is escapist? I can't travel to France for a fortnight. But a few minutes in Anthro on my lunch break is a nice little break from my reality. I realize that's what I'm paying Keith and his cronies for, and I'm fine with it.
"Or just go to your local flea market and give a local dealer your business."
Well, I do that too. Why does it have to be either/or?
10/08/09
Yes, the prices seemed expensive and ludicrous, but we were all poor and assumed that because it was beautiful and expensive it must be worth it.
When I graduated and moved to a new city, there happened to be an anthropologie store in the mall. I sorta flipped out and squealed to all my friends that I was going to go to anthropologie and get a swanky dress.
When I actually got in the store... I wasn't disappointed per se, I actually saw it as pretty nifty. I ended up buying a few nice things, but I found that I don't really wear them as often as I do my other staples from cheaper stores.
I have trouble hating on this show, because there's still a little poor girl in me who likes this store and wishes she were rich enough to shop there.
10/08/09
It's interesting how we can sit and read posts about the shows at Fashion Week, which, I"m just going to assume, features pieces that I could never afford, yet Anthro gets slammed for being overpriced. Unlike some of those clothes, I *LIKE* that bed. I actually understand it.
While it's important for a company to be transparent about their politics and shady business practices (something UO and Anthro have definitely had their share of) it's also important to remember how insanely difficult it is to make a living as an artist. And yes, I consider Keith to be exactly that, not to mention the folks he buys from. The truth is that there are tons of hard-working and super talented people out there and sometimes.. once in a while.. they have to get paid.
Think about the other places you shop, eat and the other shows you watch on a routine basis and what you think the political affiliations of the people behind them are. Yeah. It's fucking exhausting.
This is a show about a guy who travels to awesome parts of the world, finds equally awesome art and antiques in order to makes his stores look that much interesting and unique. When's the last time Forever 21 did that for you?
10/08/09
i see dodai's point - inasmuch as anthropologie locations do have different decor in them, the look and feel and ambiance is basically the same in every single location, so how is paying for the "uniqueness" really justified, especially because anthropologie is a specialty retailer that has corporate backing and their products are very, very, very expensive to the rest of us five-figure salary earners?
on the other hand, this guy has a job and he's good at it...the proof is in the pudding known as anthropologie's sales. that said, i'll walk through an anthropologie store now and then to get inspiration and look for/buy the same type of items at cheaper places like a local thrift store or perhaps even target, also a big corporate company but still offers more affordable items to the everyday consumer.
there's also an element of etsyness to this...anybody who has a smidgen of creative craftiness can replicate aspects of the stuff sold in anthropologie. obviously the hollywood bed can't be duplicated easily, but someone with a camera phone can try to match the anthro items if they gave it some effort.
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[tv.adobe.com]
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And there is that pesky fact that Richard Hayne is a staunch supporter of right-wing causes, so some of the profits for that bed will go to ultra-conservative politicians and organizations.
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It would be nice for people who don't get Sundance.
10/08/09
I think what I like the most about this is that what you are seeing, for the most part, are genuine.
I have a much harder time with places like Restoration Hardware, and Z Gallarie, which knock off established designs with inferior materials and craftsmanship.
10/08/09
There are Mid-Century pieces collecting dust in shops there that would fetch 4 times the asking price in LA. And don't get me started on the garage sale opportunities you have.
Sorry if this is sounding like I'm going off on a tear, but this is a serious hobby that I am working into a career.
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I'm surprised to see this, especially right after Jezebel devoted so much coverage to the various Fashion Weeks. Those runway shows cost $$$$$, last a few minutes, and are only attended by the invited few. Sure some of the looks trickle down to the masses (remember Miranda's speech to Andy about "stuff" in TDWP), but couture fashion is incredibly exclusive. Anyone can walk into an Anthropologie store, or get the catalog, and buy something cute for under $10--and some of that cute merch is based on items/ideas that this guy sniffs out.
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It's not about recreating the store at home, it's about capturing the feeling.
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Their catalogs are beautiful, I will say that. And I still get them in the mail, unlike J. Crew, who appears to have broken up with me without saying so.
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And this is great because i do on a hobby basis what he is doing for a living.
OMG! We have code words when we do this as well! Ours are related to a TV show, and what our opinions are of the characters. I have no game face, so SO has to do the haggling. If I've seen something I have to leave the area around it, and use the code word, then she goes back and looks.
10/08/09
Has anyone ordered any of their things online?
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10/08/09
"If I come across some of her work in my local Anthro, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. "
Which is kind of the point :D, give the man credit, he has a great eye.