Anthropology is the study of humans, everywhere and throughout time.
Anthropologie, the retail store, is all about incorporating its namesake in its philosophy. Anthropologie is actually owned by Urban Outfitters Co., headquartered in Philadelphia. I really respect and appreciate the company and what it stands for. In the employee book I received on my first day, it outlined their philosophy: that they respect and value the customer- emphasizing for employees to be friendly, positive and attentive to ensure they have a unique and enjoyable experience. The same applies to employees and how they appreciate and value them. I think it’s cool how the company focuses on the displays and making the store not only a place for customers to shop but for them to browse the art the visual team works so hard to create.
On my first day, my manager explained the glorified “concepts board” to me. This board displays all the inspirations for the season and the design concepts for the displays and store. My eyes lit up! It was beyond exciting seeing the “behind the scenes” and all the raw inspirations and concepts for the company’s clothing, products and displays. Before me were six different posters lined up on the main wall in the back. I found out the reason for this is that the company divides each store into six different vignettes or sections in which different concepts are carried out. They told me the story of Anthropologie. I’ll share some secrets with you. They made up a character- an inspiration for the store named Abigail Truman. She is in her late twenties, has a trendadventurous attitude. As the story goes, she travels the world with her long time boyfriend all while looking fabulous and loving life. They make up a story for every season about her adventures according to the vingnette concept; three of which are centered on clothing/jewelry/shoes and 3 centered on home décor and products. This season, Abigail and her boyfriend are traveling through the country-side of Europe, where she wears casual day clothes.
For this reason, the first section or vignette has all the casual clothes in addition to décor that represents the countryside and traveling. Our store has paper airplanes, wire birds made out of paper hangers flying, a vintage bicycle covered in blue maps and maps along the walls, ceiling and on tables with the merchandise.
In the next section, Abigail and her boyfriend go on a romantic night out on the town in Marsais, France. So, our store has vintage French décor reflecting a romantic, trendy fun night out- chandeliers, vintage distressed French wall paper, stylish lounges and the fancier clothing including dresses, skirts, blouses and flashy jewelry. About two weeks into my internship, I worked on making vintage wooden neck forms to display glamorous necklaces.
The next one down is called “Miller’s room” and is themed around a Moroccan inspired hotel with their vibrant colored duvet quilts, pillows and other home décor.
The vignette on the right side of the store in the back is called rustic luxe
and has bedding and bed/bath products that incorporate the soft meets woodsy theme. Our main feature in this display has a bed made up of delicate romantic white bedding with rustic elements including authentic cotton clumps, chopped wood and winding branches.
Towards the back-middle of the store is a kitchen themed vignette inspired by a modern yet cozy and quirky cafe in New York City. The wall is a chalkboard with some of the employee’s favorite recipes scribbled on it. It also has a larger than life ostrich made out of newspaper feathers and chicken wire. Around it are home and kitchen products on tables.
The last home vignette is called “fireside” which has a cozy design with a life-size fireplace made out of light blue and natural wooden planks. Surrounding this piece are home/bath products like candles and mugs as well as knitted clothing.
The final vignette in the front right of the store is entitled “fifteen inches of snow” and features stained wooden rulers dipped in fake snow at different heights. Here there are more knits, coats and outerwear. This week is the last week we prepped for the big holiday front window. Everyone’s been busy making snowflakes and decorations and is ready to install and finish it! Next Monday we’re taking down the current display and installing the new snow-flake one Tuesday or Wednesday until the end of the week.
For this reason, the first section or vignette has all the casual clothes in addition to décor that represents the countryside and traveling. Our store has paper airplanes, wire birds made out of paper hangers flying, a vintage bicycle covered in blue maps and maps along the walls, ceiling and on tables with the merchandise.
In the next section, Abigail and her boyfriend go on a romantic night out on the town in Marsais, France. So, our store has vintage French décor reflecting a romantic, trendy fun night out- chandeliers, vintage distressed French wall paper, stylish lounges and the fancier clothing including dresses, skirts, blouses and flashy jewelry. About two weeks into my internship, I worked on making vintage wooden neck forms to display glamorous necklaces.
The next one down is called “Miller’s room” and is themed around a Moroccan inspired hotel with their vibrant colored duvet quilts, pillows and other home décor. The vignette on the right side of the store in the back is called rustic luxe
and has bedding and bed/bath products that incorporate the soft meets woodsy theme. Our main feature in this display has a bed made up of delicate romantic white bedding with rustic elements including authentic cotton clumps, chopped wood and winding branches.
Towards the back-middle of the store is a kitchen themed vignette inspired by a modern yet cozy and quirky cafe in New York City. The wall is a chalkboard with some of the employee’s favorite recipes scribbled on it. It also has a larger than life ostrich made out of newspaper feathers and chicken wire. Around it are home and kitchen products on tables.
The last home vignette is called “fireside” which has a cozy design with a life-size fireplace made out of light blue and natural wooden planks. Surrounding this piece are home/bath products like candles and mugs as well as knitted clothing.
The final vignette in the front right of the store is entitled “fifteen inches of snow” and features stained wooden rulers dipped in fake snow at different heights. Here there are more knits, coats and outerwear. This week is the last week we prepped for the big holiday front window. Everyone’s been busy making snowflakes and decorations and is ready to install and finish it! Next Monday we’re taking down the current display and installing the new snow-flake one Tuesday or Wednesday until the end of the week.
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