This is going to be of no relevance to Americans/Canadians who've lived with Anthropologie practically all of their lives and are either sick of it or look upon it with as much reliance as say I do, with Topshop or erm…Marks & Spencers. So I guess most people can skip this post. Anthropologie isn't exactly something new to me either having been to several stores in the States and my conclusion is always the same after every store visit; that I'm always floored by the shop styling, the aesthetics of the interiors and the presentation of everything, yet I never manage to come away with anything in hand. Or it could be that everytime I'm in the States, I'm always flat broke and thus paying $15 for a bar of soap seems a tad extravagant. However, visiting it sporadically isn't really the same as having it as part of your regular shopping fixture and a lot of Londoners will most certainly rejoice at the arrival of Anthropologie's first store in the UK on Regent Street (with another one opening on Kings Road next year…).
Today, we were treated to a pretty amazing spread of tea and cakes to celebrate the opening and I've found it difficult editing out superfluous food pics out of this collage, but of course the focus at Anthropologie isn't just selling fashion but rather it promotes a covetable entire lifestyle… you pick up a fringed necklace, only to hap upon a chunky knit blanket and then you stumble on some jewelled drawer knobs and before you know it, your house and your bod is an Anthropologie catalogue. I jest a little but for a few minutes in the store, I really did curse my wretched bare-walled apartment and wonder why my bed isn't doused with pretty patchwork cushions, an artfully arranged throw, with a set of pastel pointelle pyjamas neatly folded at the foot of the bed…
Speaking to the head buyer of Anthropologie's European division, Olivia Richardson (used to be the head fashion buyer at Liberty's), I wanted to find whether there was a differentiation between the US and UK stores and she explained that every Anthropologie store was supposed to have its unique identity and deliberately localised. So for the UK market, tweaks have been made and likewise, collaborations and labels bought in are mostly local too. Eley Kishimoto has designed a four-piece capsule collection called EK Jam Time and products by Soho boutique Beyond the Valley will also be dropping soon too which hopefully will pave the way for more collaborations that are UK-specific.
I'll leave the looooong ass collage to do the piccy talking because the store is a visual feast and in part exactly how I expected it to be with some twist and turns at some points… excuse the random appearances of the tea/cake spread…
How nice to get a sneak preview – I fall for quilted and patchwork cushions every time even though I have none!
Someone employ me…I want to be able to visit and actually buy something! Been drooling over their clothes for years. Judging from converting the prices on their website to GBP even a bra is over ¬£20.
Need to visit, now!!!
NOOO!
Anthropologie is like home to mee!!!!
I had no idea Anthro specialized their stock by location. That makes me happy. The store looks lovely.
On my next trip to London I will not miss it. and I am glad the European website will be ready for spring because with taxes it was impossible for me to purchase online from overseas. Thank you for the sneakpeck.
Best,
Maria
Cool, I love this shop. London, eh? Next stop might be Copenhagen (a girl can dream, non?). How’s the prince range, twice as expensive as in the States – like bloody American Apparel, or better?
cheers
I’m American but I love Anthropologie, and have definitely not tired of it. I understand what you mean about never walking out with anything, I’ve never bought any clothes, but have bought lots of multi-coloured bowls, sweet little books, and wooden letters to spell out words on my wall.
Am excited that it’s finally opened in London – will definitely be visiting next week.
Amazing collage:)!! The shop looks so fun and quirky!!
http://thestylestrutter.blogspot.com
xxx
I came across Anthropologie in New York quite a few years ago and can’t wait to see the new regent st store. I remember the clothes being quite twee, but the homeware is lovely. Thanks for the preview pics!
I’ve never been but I’ve read about it on blogs and seen its wares here and there. It looks absolutely amazing there – greenery on the walls and that gorgeous orange jacket!
Polly x
I have been salivating over the Anthropologie website for the last three years… I can’t believe the moment they decide to finally open one in London I’m abroad for a year! I hope it’s still as fresh and exciting in september.
The food looks just as good as the clothes!
WOW. I like Anthropologie but I always feel guilty about going there because the only location I know is at Rockefeller Center, and I hate going to chain stores in NY.
I love the sames things that you do about this store. it is great to get inside. I love the collague that you put together.
xoxo
B* a la Moda
i love anthropologie i always walk in feeling like i MUST get something!
http://lejclassics.blogspot.com
xx
there is a series on the sundance channel called ‘man shops globe’ about the found objects buyer for anthropologie at large. talk about a dream job. those magpie chandeliers were made from recyclables in south africa.
Dang! A must visit in my next London visit (that happens to be conveniently after the Christmas, yay!)
That living wall looks amazing…
wowww! i always love how the anthropologies here are decorated but this looks 100x more amazing!!
http://www.maisondepeanutleigh.com
{uninhibited fashion blog}
That ceramic skirt is UNBELIEVABLE!!!
xx
Great collage!
Love the colours and accessories.
I’m mucha by the way and I love your weblog.
I just started mine like a week ago.
Blomst: I can’t really tell as I gather a lot of the stock is different to the stuff being stocked in US Anthropologie stores but me thinks the prices are fairly similar…
Neily: Twee is exactly how I’d describe the clothes… and I can only take a small dose of it which is why I was more into the homewares stuff…
KD: I get like that about going to H&M in say er… Paris/Amsterdam…. I swear though they’re waaaay better organised than the ones in London…
Marie: Yup, I did read the little placard about the chandeliers…I love how they’re available to buy as well as looking pretty… except they’re bajillions of pounds…
Oh Em Gee I’m very excited about this! I loved Anthro when I was in the US and NEED some of their homewares for my flat here! Can’t wait to pop in some time next week… I totally agree that the clothes are twee, but there are hidden gems if you’re prepared to root around 🙂
Anastasia
http://anastasia-duck.blogspot.com
NO WAY!!! – I worked at mander organs when i was 15, we were renovating the church organ at the Royal Albert Hall! Never thought I’d see bits of it again, let alone so fashionably. Amazing. What a funny town London is.
wow it looks amazing. the tea bags! hee! i’ll try to visit it when i go to london next month i think
oh i love Anthropologies P.O.S it is inspiring! They seem to bring to life the most ordinary of objects.
(Toronto) Canada has only had Anthropologie for about a year. We have NO Topshop, but have been promised one that is now over-due.
I understand your excitement!
On behalf of the US, I apologize for the Anthropologie invasion. I’m sick unto death of their cutesy, twee, velvet-ribboned, fabric-rosetted clothes. This kind of stuff is great for six-year olds, but if I see one more 50-year old woman wearing a cardigan with “adorable” little velvet bows on its “adorable” little gathered pockets topping an “adorable” appliqu√©’d a-line skirt, I’m going to run mad.
http://closetaltar.blogspot.com
I agree with you Susie…the catalog is aspirational, then you actually see the merch and it’s like “meh.” It’s also not all that original a look…a certain sort of art school girl has dressed like this in years, for a quarter of the price.
I had also visited many in the states and fell in loveee with their accessories, clothes and homeware. The store layout itself is just so enticing! We JUST got one in Canada (well in Toronto where I’m from in Yorkville) over the summer and then I moved to the UK! Glad to hear one is coming!!! It’s like a more sophisticated Urban Outfitters, although they are both owned by the same company (and more expensive at that, but beautiful clothes nonetheless).
My fav store in the world! or one of them at least. As an American in London, I can’t wait. I’m heading there tomorrow!
I can’t wait to go down to London. I love Anthropologie but their online shipping costs are ridiculous. Should I be disappointed that the clothes may not be the same as the ones in the US as I got loads when I was in the US there over the summer.
I’m with Style Spy. I love to HATE that store. Sometimes I love it. Sometimes I hate it. I never think the full retail price is matchable to the quality, some of the pieces are practically the same quality as F21 (no joke). I’ve bought many a top, thrown it in the wash and been left with rags. Buuuut, having said that, I will raid their sale rack with zeal (some of the other brands ie: those not made by UO inc, aren’t bad). But I do hate the “let’s sell you onto a lifestyle” idea. Crafty people with great style are gifted at what they do and I hate imposters that buy everything from a store and think that it makes them crafty or clever or even worse “free-spirited”. Barf.
i was totally sure that you would take the one with the zebraa…ilove your work,no matter what everyone says i believe your blog is the most creative and inspiring… i am hoping you could pay a ‘visit ‘at my own small blog,i am aware that hundreds of ppl send you the links to their blogs but i really wish you could just enter and comment by saying your opinionn,it would be so great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!thank youuuuuuuu and don’t forget i was talking you up for a whole big comment!!xDDD
http://www.graceofacat.blogspot.com
OH SHIT I posted at the wrong post!!
Hey, Where is it, did it open yet? // Louise
I need to sell them my vintage cake stands. I’m now on a mission to be on sale there.
http://www.trulymadlysweetly.com
I just saw your post! I was in London last week and I also saw this shop that I found exceptional! Finally, because in France where I live (it’s not Paris so are) there is no such thing as retro extravagant love
I put some pictures on my blog but I have not done well on large text on it!!
I love your blog especially when you talk about new designers or designers less known than those who make fashion week