apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

i love that wallpaper with the blue and white trees ... too bad anthropologie does not sell it

I don't get the FAB vibe from this. It's too ornate, too European.

I think while the stuff cited as FAB in the Times piece was hardly minimal, it is in a way stripped of ornamentation, and is sort of "Baroque cartoony", very 40s, by way of Beverly Hills. I also think what was cited as FAB was more "American", and with only the simulation of age.

And while this catalog may support the trend away from modern minimalism, Anthropologie has always had this Euro-gypsy, Stevie Nicks-meets-the Empire kind of vibe.

I absolutely love Anthropologie. From the models, to the photography, to the clothes. Those catalogs make me want to spend my weeks salary on the gf that I don't have. So, they must be doing something right!

Apparently I'm way out of the style loop. Can anyone explain to me what FAB is?

I personally wouldn't call this FAB. It's more (slightly goth) English Manor House. Heathcliff and Cathy wandering forlornly on the moors all that, imo.

Harks back quite a bit (clothes and decor) to Ralph Lauren in the late 80s.

From what I read yesterday, it has something to do with Lenny Kravitz. Or his agent.

Haute--
It was a term used in a piece in House & Home...
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/main/archives/003316.html

I believe stemming from a quote in the shop-owners' write-up, saying it's not about designer lable or price or origin... a piece just has to be fabulous. So, it is pretty highly subjective. It also ties in to the Leny Kravitz piece, whose style defies description/categorization somewhat.

But I agree that this stuff shown here is way more haute-Harry Potter than Lenny Kravitz. Although I •could* see Lisa Bonet in any of these layouts...

Anthropologie has really always looked like this. They have not jumped on any new trend just look at past issues from 2-3 years ago.

I agree; wouldn't really call this FAB except for maybe the pic with the bold blue & white wallpaper and chair in the foreground. But the picture promo'ing "Small Space, Big Style" seemed to fall under the FAB category ( i.e. What's black & white & red all over?).

To me, it says, "My old-money (grand?)parents are in Europe for the rest of the year and I'm living in their house." I don't know why.

That wallpaper is insanely gorgeous.

But now that I know (from this site) that Anthropologie's owner gives money to the vile Rick Santorum, I can't go near the store. And I should destroy my sofa, but I just can't do that right now.

They always worked this look, which is more like a less moneyed ABC Home ad. It works for them. Don't know about this fab nonsense - I think that's just for Lenny.

Also agree with Lady. Anthropologie catalogs always look like this. Just with "updated" styles.

Anthropology donates money to Santorum? Is this the same owner of Urban Outfitters? The same Urban Outfitters that carries "Idaho? No Udaho!" t-shirts?

I don't shop at UO, but I do shop at Anthropologie. I can't see myself shopping there anymore either.

Sigh.

Hey The Other Patrick,

Thanks for the tip, I remember the H&H link from the 21st, but got to it after the times piece expired. bummer.

yeop, same owner as Urban Outfitters -- sorry to burst that bubble -- to give you an idea of how old money Anthropologie wants to be, I used to shop (but was too poor to actually buy anything) at their first store out on the Main Line outside Philly when I was in college -- think "Philadelphia Story", Katherine Hepburn (a fellow alum) old-money chic, and you'll get why the owner gives moola to Santorum
it still doesn't help me figure out Urban however....

Anthropologie has never floated my boat. The clothes are a bit overpriced for the quality, and the furntiture... well, I always think, "I could get this at the flea market and recover it for less than half the price."

Great photography and catalog, though. The art director there is certainly earning his/her keep.

rick santorum sucks

but dont let him destroy your couch

be strong

peace

Madeleine Castaing is alive and well and working as the merchant for Anthropologie. Seriously, these photos look a lot like photos of her shop in Paris and of her house in the South.

Urban Outfitters is a public company and the president / lead merchant, Glen Senk is a proud pony riding member of the nature's bachelors set. I can't see him giving dough to conservative causes.

How could you consider the above images from Antrhopology "FAB"? It's straight french baroque style, down to the inspiration for the clothing. It's obvious this is not ironic, mashed up, or kitchy. "FAB" design has been around for years, an d you can find examples of it all over the city. If you want to see some examples of real "FAB" style look at:

Urban Outfitters (same company as Anthropology) 14th & 6th, downstairs has all kinds of furniture mixed from different modern periods, 60s style shag carpets, contempory peices such as plexiglass chairs with accented with decorative elements taken from baroque and victorian aesthetics such as spray-painted chandaliers, ornate vases, and even toile patterns in the dressing rooms.

Diesel Denim Gallery (Green Street) - 60s & 70s modern furniture re-upholstered with french toile patterns, a chandelier hanging from the ceiling juxtaposed with distressed pained wood floors. The doors from the dressing rooms combine ultra modern looking frosted glass with found 2nd hand doors of all styles, painted white.

PLAID night club (closed) 13th st & 4th Ave. This was one of the most over designed examples of the "FAB" style. There was a mish-mash of wall paper styles combining 60s & 70s kitchy geometric patterns, baroque style damask, and black and white french toile (sometimes all on the same wall). The seating ranged from victorian couches and loveseats all with different upholstery accented with wooden victorian circular tables. The entryway had a very bold french victorian theme but the colors used were bright orange and black which gave it a modern look.

He most definitely does give money to Santorum and that is why I boycott all Urban Outfitters companies. Just do a search and you'll find lots of information.

hey john, did you ever find any info on that blue trees anthropologie wallpaper???

not only do anthropologie and urban outfitters donate to santorum, they also donate to right-wing christian groups that are very anti-gay and pro-life. i stopped shopping at both stores after i found this out. apparently, the founders of both stores were a married hippie couple. they got divorced with the husband retaining ownership and remarrying a conservative christian, thus changing the politics of both stores. i find it vile that stores that cater to women and gay men would spend those folks's money to take their rights away.

Hello everyone,
It doesn't make sense that Glen Senk, Anthropologie's president supports Santorum, or anti-gay, anti pro-life groups. I've been working for this company for 4 years and he's as gay as it gets and lives with his partner who's is our Found Objects buyer.
Also 70% of man working for that company are equally gay!
So get your fact straight, before jumping into conclusion.....

sara-
this has been out in public for years - you can find out who donates how much to whom, it's all part of the public record. it's true.

i was wondering if anyone knows who the photographer is for the anthropologie catalog??

I have no idea about the donations being made, but it does strike me as odd. The owner most definitely is gay and does live with his business partner as a couple. Their home has been featured on at least 2 high profile home magazines.

On a different note, I do love the wallpapers being featured on their current catalogs (gift 2006 & solstice 2006). Anyone know who makes them and where I can find them?