In the same way that Banana Republic has nothing to do with bananas, London’s latest fashion import has little to do with the study of humankind. And it’s not French either.
Nonetheless, Anthropologie — long a part of the thinking-North-American woman’s wardrobe — has followed in sister-store Urban Outfitter’s footsteps and made its first foray into Europe, starting with Regent Street and with a second store due to open on Chelsea’s King’s Road in the spring.
International chain it may be, but the idea behind Anthropolgie is to recreate the experience of being in an — admittedly rather large — boutique.
Step inside the showcase Regent Street store and the first thing you’ll notice — after the living grass wall — is that the emphasis is primarily on women’s clothes, from kooky work-wear to full-blown glamour. Mixed in you’ll find shoes, bags and accessories, as well as homeware and childrens’ clothes and toys. All of it, be it a kitchen chair, a velvet frock coat or a Christmas decoration, comes with a folksy, quietly flamboyant and slightly eccentric edge - this is craft for grown ups, offering everything you might need for your stylish country retreat. it’s more expensive than Urban Outfitters (expect to pay around £70 - £200 for a dress), but it’s more sophisticated too.
And for once this slice of Americana comes with a thoroughly British wash: Anthropologie is collaborating with UK-based designers Eley Kishimoto and Beyond the Valley to create an exclusive fashion range, and British interior design duo Clarke and Reilly to create a range of hand-crafted furniture.
And if you can’t see anything you want to buy you can always people watch.
Find out more at anthropologie.co.uk.
