Comments on: Anthropologie Videos – Creepy or Cute?

By: diana

diana — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:34:34 +0000

as an ‘older’ anthro fan I can say that right from the beginning the ideas behind so much of what they do have been retreads, done before BUT they do it brilliantly. and if it’s exploiting artisans, hey that’s been going on for centuries, too. Everyone has to watch their own back.
This year’s dollhouse ornament series looks like a direct riff on Sally Mavor’s dolls, which she is no longer producing.
Their windows are just stellar, fall of 08, the ‘books’ windows, I was in several different big cities and every store has a different spin using the same materials. A book would be killer, you are so right.

By: decor8

decor8 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:36:18 +0000

CK: I know what you mean, the smoke and mirrors is somewhat of a lure to it all I think — knowing too much isn’t always THAT fun anymore. But I do think that showing their inspirations in book form, profiling some of their lead visual merch managers, showing us some projects we can replicate at home would not necessarily ruin it for anyone.

If anything, it would be better for their brand as so many have commented here and on other blog posts all over the web that they are known for ripping off the work of others and presenting it as their own. I don’t know if I believe that or not, I have no proof, and honestly I love their products and stores so I support them (obviously, I write about them on decor8 often and have featured them in the Boston Globe in my column many times this year)…

A book would almost protect them a bit, esp. their reputation, because they could show where some of these ideas come from and demonstrate their creativity. They could even do this on their website, I’d love if they’d profile an Anthro employee once a month or something…

Holly

By: CK

CK — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:14:56 +0000

i'm super late chiming in but wanted to comment nonetheless. first, let me say that i am a ridiculous fan of anthropologie; and to read the negative posts above makes me feel really sad about it. like i've been idolizing a company that isn't ethical or true. that said, i still think the individuals who do their displays are some of the most talented people in the world and are truly the main source of inspiration for me when i go to anthro. sure, the clothes are fantastic but i usually can't afford even the sale items. i'm in the minority here, but the masterpieces videos did not creep me out at all. i thought they were a pleasant surprise. i felt like i was observing a catalog photo shoot. my only suggestion would be to put some kind of soothing, ethereal music track underneath to lessen the perceived "creepiness". i love all of the other fun web executions too. just more expressions of creativity that i welcome with open arms. after all, if i wanted to just look at their products in a straightforward manner, i can go ahead and explore the rest of the site! i enjoy little embellishments like this but i'm a graphic designer so i'm a nerd that way. finally, while i would love to see all the items you discussed (a DIY book, series of videos, etc.), at the same time, i wouldn't. i feel like anthropologie has this air of mystery and fantasy and as soon as they were to show us their cards, i think it would lose all that (at least for me). i like the fact that i don't know about the little elves (yes, they are little elves,i know it) who come into the store in the middle of the night and set up these amazing displays. i want to come in and be floored by that creativity and take my own inspiration from it....not a step-by-step manual on how they did it. i feel like anthro provides this somewhat unattainable standard of fashion and style that we all aspire to. that probably sounds snobbish, but i myself would be kinda let down if they started spilling all their secrets. sorry for the ramble....can you tell i think a lot about anthropologie? CKs last blog post: WITNESS THE AWESOMENESS.

By: Joleen

Joleen — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:45:01 +0000

very creepy. totally genius post. Joleens last blog post: Moving Forward

By: Bottle Openers

Bottle Openers — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:56:46 +0000

Sorry this is just too creapy, photos would have had the same effect.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:49:49 +0000

They looked like they were about to pass out, like they were in those positions for hours LOL.

By: amy

amy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:26:56 +0000

I can tell you why I find them interesting, and this is in full acknowledgment of their creepiness-they truly demonstrate the difference between media beauty and reality. I've used magazines and advertisements to narrow down for me what I find visually beautiful, and I'll admit that I was especially struck by the print versions of the models and accessories used in the anthro.videos. But I've always had to keep in mind that that the pictures I see in fashion spreads have nothing at all to do with reality in any way, that if you stood or held your head or stared off into space the way the models do they would cart you away for a mental evaluation. OK, I've been to some art gallery openings where some of the guests were giving the fashion stare a try, and they never looked like anyone you would really want to talk to. So when I see the videos translating style to real time, they just look oxygen deprived and more than a little sad, and they remind me that media beauty and real life beauty are always two different things, and should be kept that way. But I'm sure they knew that...we're talking about them, aren't we? amys last blog post: Rainy Day Matchbox

By: ashley

ashley — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:37:07 +0000

so many good ideas ~

I didn’t think the Masterpieces video was that creepy … maybe a little bit … but once you start imagining these women posing for a painting back in the day, it makes sense. It also almost seemed to me to be as if it was a photo shoot for these products on “pause”.

Anyway, I really liked the Spectra and Wonderland pieces but it seems like most of these probably take much more work on the interactive design & programming side than they’re even worth. It’s fun to poke around a bit but I think it can be slow / move awkwardly and I’d rather just browse normally.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:37:51 +0000

Sundance Channel is going to have a new show following the main Anthro buyer around as he does his job, it looks interesting. I too would love to know more about the artists that inspire/craft their goods.

By: q

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:38:18 +0000

no, not creepy at all to me ;)