A Wonderful Summer at Anthropologie

It's a dark day here in NYC - so we are looking back to a brighter time a couple months ago.. at Anthropologie - a brief look back to creative uses of used objects.

Anthropolgie's windows vary from store to store, yet always follow a consistent theme and shared elements.

Here's a few interpretations showing wine corks for Earth Day, and hanging paper petals for summer. We love the creativity and craftsmanship and look forward to seeing the holiday windows - sure to dazzle us soon.

"Interpretations in Wood" at Anthropologie

Anthropologie never disappoints with it's unique window concepts and the various ways the stores install them. Recently, we compared the "Window frame windows" of Rockefeller Center and the 5th Avenue locations.

At Rockefeller Center, they used the wooden frames to build geometric yet somewhat abstract shapes. Ranging from simple backdrops to full structured sculptures, the windows were quite eye catching.

On 5th Ave the message was still very effective though much less abstract. The frames were larger and filled with the colored wood bits that only made an accent at the Rockefeller store. The effect was more colorful and somewhat artistic looking.

Both stores did a great job of catching our eye as Anthropologie delivers on a message!

Trendspotting - Books as trees

here is recent trend we have noted....retailers like to make displays with books - and when really ambitious...make them into trees.

A few examples seen here along with a wall of books all covered in white as the "back drop" for the DJ booth of Macy's Bar III pop up shop where Solange was spinning.

Anthropologie draws customers inside with art

We think this is a neat way of using the outdoor mall space to bring customers in and carry the VM message throughout the store.

These rattan and rope abstract sculptures were hanging outside the store, in the window and within the store helping to create an overall cohesive theme.

The natural, arty quality helped set the mood for this seasons clothes and lent the store environment an air of whimsical sophistication.

What are other ways have you seen to creatively draw customers into stores visually?

Garlands Galore!

ah, the signs of spring are emerging! Seen here are two different interpretations on a theme.

One is a glorious use of plastic...trash. Cut up plastic bottles and discarded refuse strung to make a colorful presentation that once again highlights Anthropologie's mastery of making "something out of nothing".

The other is a more feminine version seen at Aerie (in the new Time Square 3 story American Eagle store) which uses fabric flowers to create garlands in colors and styles that highlight their spring campaign. It's fun, flirty and retro and adds a great texture to the store.

Go see them both and keep an eye out for more signs of warm weather!

Making something out of nothing...

These days visual merchandisers are being asked to do 'more with less'. While this is not a trend we like to see (knowing the importance of valuing visual merchandising), we know it is a sign of the times.

So it's a real delight when we see retailers who do it so well and Anthropologie is one of the best at it. Their in store merchandisers are given a general theme and material direction and then they create their own magic within their respective stores. This holiday, each store came up with its own magic using little more than plastic, paper snow cones and white tissue paper.

The results speak for themselves!

Winter Wonderland

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...and apparently so are a few retailers.

We love the snow! and with a few bright touches, like the red cardinal or colorful product, these windows really pop.

Check out the snow made of shredded paper, dixie cups, crumpled plastic and tissue at Anthropologie. It looks like a snow fort you would have made as a kid - which is why it works. When windows create fantasy and memories, you know you have done your job. The white Snow owl on the "fake" tree stump is also terrific and within the 'wall of snow', made out of crumpled white paper, there are other snowy creatures which is fun.

Hope you are enjoying the holiday show so far - get out there and support your local retailers this weekend. Who wouldn't love to finish their shopping early? (then you'd have more time to admire the windows!)

Happy Thanksgiving.

THE ultimate merchandising job...

...begins around the world seeking great merchandise of course and Keith Johnson does just that in Man Shops Globe - a new 8 episode documentary for Sundance.

We watch as Keith visits France, Turkey, South Africa and Holland among other places in search of unique and one of a kind items to give Anthropologie their special merchandising mix. We see how he has to make split second decisions whether a discovery will work into their unusual retail concept. Constantly seeking out the next thing, he meanders the untraveled paths looking for that item that we have yet to see and hoping to bring back things to excite their customers.

Worth a watch for ideas, inspiration and a little armchair travelling.

http://www.sundancechannel.com/man-shops-globe/

Flotsam and Jetsam

Schools of fish, drifts of wood, signs of the sea - here are two windows using the ocean for inspiration. One looks like brightly painted drift wood swirling about focusing your eye toward the center and the other - swimming fish complete with bubbles. Aye Aye Matey!