1.
THE FACES OF
ANTHROPOLOGIE
Documented by:
Nathania Fuad
Summer 2016

2.
THE FACES OF
ANTHROPOLOGIE
Documented by:
Nathania Fuad
Summer 2016

3.
INTRODUCTION
First off, thanks so much for taking the time to fip through this book. My
name is Nathania Fuad and I'm a Summer Intern with Anthropologie's Soft
Wovens Product Development and Production Teams. In thinking through
what have been the most memorable moments in my time here, it's the
conversations and relationships I have been able to develop that have really
taught me so much. I knew for my intern project I wanted to feature and
unveil beautiful stories behind the people that I've gotten to work with.
Some of you may know most of the people I featured while others may have
not met a single person. My hope is that regardless of who you know, this
book would help you gain a deeper understanding of Anthropologie as a
brand. Perhaps you'll discover sometthing new about someone you work
with that you never knew! I hope this book opens your eyes to the diverse
blend of backgrounds that are crucial to shaping this unique, but dearly loved
company.
I've only spent nine weeks at Anthropologie's Home Office, and to be honest,
I came in feeling like I knew so little! I was fascinated by this brand, and this
project has inspired me and taught me so many lessons about the brand and
life in general. Getting to interact and learn from so many individuals across
all teams here has ignited such a gratitude for this opportunity.
Enjoy!

4.
"I never knew you could go into fashion.I had these little barbie dolls
that I would preforate cut out clothing for! Later in high school when I
new I wanted to pursue fashion, my mom encouraged me to to take a
sewing class during my high school senior year. I took it as a joke, but it
actually really prepared me for college as a fashion design major!
I finally feel like I'm in a really good place. I had been working like crazy
in New York City for six years before coming back home to Philly. It is
definitely not a one man show here. Because my team and I see things
very differently, it makes us so much more well rounded and supportive
of one another.
I love when I'm fitting something and when I see the problem, I know
exactly how I'm supposed to fix it. It is so rewarding to make sense of
what is wrong."
- Hilary Armstrong
Associate Technical Designer

5.
"In grade school I thought that I wanted to work for a fashion magazine,
or perhaps become an architect. I had never planned on doing
recruiting. But I have been here witth URBN for thirteen years. I love the
brand and what we stand for. There is something so unique and
different here. I own what I'm doing and I want to do my best. I love the
people I am working with. You quickly become become very close with
people you're interacting with every single day!
My advice for interns would be to always be willing to try. It is always
the interns who are self-aware, knowing their strengths and
weaknesses, who will succeed. It is cool seeing people who are eager
and positive, being proactive and focusing on what they know they
want to do with their time here. The highlight for me is when I know I've
found someone that is joining us who I know will be doing great things
for the company!"
- Robin McCann
Anthropologie Senior Recruiter

6.
"I worked for The Gap for 15 years, starting as a seasonal part-time
sales associate in school. I never thought I'd go into retail...I was going
to be a doctor! But I've been here since 2005. My parents are my
biggest role models. They both immigrated here from Greece. They are
such hard workers and motivated me to do well. Their hard work ethic
has always stuck in there and it drives me to succeed. One pieces of
advice m mom says all the time is, "You should never say no to an
opportunity, but you can say no to an offer."
Just marry your passion with your job and it will never feel like work.
I'm a full believer in that. My passion is seeing processes succeed; my
job is to clear the path for my teams. It doesn't ever feel like"work" to
me though. I love the technological pieces and breaking them down to
see how our customer can benefit from it."
- Demo Lymberopoulos
Executive Director of E-Commerce and Omnichannel Platforms

7.
"My first job was designing military uniforms for chemical warfare, and
I was also a buyer for an outdoor clothing company.
Growing up, I had a lot of personal sewing projects! I made my own
prom dress, graduation dress and homecoming dress! I taught myself
how to sew, and it was up to me to figure out all the Vogue patterns I
bought them from the store. I love getting into the details; it's like
engineering for clothing. You're constantly asking yourself how to make
a piece work, and that is not always an easy feat.
Anthropologie does an amazing job at building a lifestyle; you can't
always get that all encompassing type of experience. It's exciting when
there's a piece that you struggle with, and it is now a successfully
selling style. The company is very creative driven and outside the box.
Nothing is off limits here. If anyone could make pizza and retail work, it
would definiteley be URBN.
- Kristen Hultzapple
Associate Technical Designer

8.
"I started with Anthropologie in the downtown office for three years, but
I moved to Kohl's and Victoria's Secret for some time before coming
back. I really liked Philadelphia as a city, and I missed the culture and
environment at Anthropologie. It's so fast paced here and there is a
special camraderie between the teams here. I like negotiating and
really seeing the product through to the end of the lifecycle.
I used to run my own pageants, but after moving here is when I
stopped. I was featured on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network in 2012,
where they featured my own pageant! It is mainly my daughter who
does them now, but I did win Miss Congeniality in a pageant and win
first runner up in another! I don't consider myself extremely creative,
but this is a little bit of creativity that I get to do with my daughter!
Don't ever be afraid of hard work...be open minded and ready to learn.
Say yes to as many opportunities as you can. Be willing to talk to
different teams to get a better understanding of what other people do!"
- Satanna Warren
Production Manager Soft Wovens

9.
"I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. I never thought about
moving to a city. Growing up, my grandma owned so many W
magazines. That's what I grew up reading. I fell in love with the fantasy
of what fashion could be. My grandma was a huge inspiration. She'd
sew everything from clothes to minature dolls. I wanted to be like her. I
had almost gone to school for dentistry, but I ended up studying fashion
design.
As an Anthropologie stylist, I always want to challenge the customer
and give her something different. Even if it isn't a great day in the
studio, I still love the physical act of what I'm doing even if it's just
steaming a shirt. It's mundane, but also very thereuptic. I really do think
fashion goes over the top...it is being able to express yourself without
words."
- Christy Michal
Senior Web Stylist

10.
"Growing up, I always liked being different, I wanted to wear things
other people weren't wearing. I loved looking through magazines and
dreaming about different things I'd want to buy and wear. As a
teenager, my mom took me to our first Greenville store, and it became
the place where my mom and i could walk around for hours.
As our brand evolves, I find myself evolving as well. The best and worst
part of my day is that no day is ever the same. We always have
something new going on, and it makes me reinvent myself.
I like that I get to meet with so many people of all areas of expertise.
One minute I'm with a buyer, and the next minute I'm talking to an
allocator. No matter what part of the role you play, to say you had a part
in making this happening is a great feeling...not everyone in retail has
that strong of a connection to their store and I'm always amazed at
what every story here produces."
- Bari Fisher
Director of Business Operations

11.
"Working at URBN cultivated my love for jewelry design and is what
encouraged me to pursue it in my personal life. So many people here
are also pursuing their creative passions outside of work. And this
company has a beautiful way of melding those two worlds together.
Being here has helped me develop my own creative aesthetic,
especially when meeting other people with distinct visions themselves.
I am so incredibly inspired by the people I work with.
The key to inspiration, especially for our Visual team, is that we must be
open to find it anywhere...art exhibits, Pinterest, blogs, in nature, even
just walking down the street... and to have an endless sense of
curiosity in all things.
I love that my days are never the same. One day I might be working on
budgets in Excel and another day I could be wire working or dyeing
fabric. I also love that I have ownership over what I do. I have always
felt that way here. I feel encouraged and empowered to continuously
push my contributions."
- Kelly DeMott Jones
Senior Manager of Visual Operations

12.
"I've been doing sewing for a long time. As a kid, I made all my clothes.
My shorts and shirts were just replicated with the same patterns as I
grew older! My mom was a sewing teacher in grade school and high
school. Even my son knows how to crochet... But I love it. When my last
employer closed down for good, I called one of my old friends who was
working here at URBN. Now I get to work with,let me count...one, two,
three,four other sample makers I worked with seventeen years ago! I
have my own side business doing wedding alterations too!
I remember being in this beautiful Urban Outfitters store and there it
was...one of my beautiful dresses I patterned. There is something really
special about getting to see one of my dresses in catalog or store."
- Annette Gottsabend
Pattern Marker All Brands

13.
"What makes this company so unique is that you're literally thrown into
everything! Youre able to dabble into a lot of things and take on a lot of
responsibility early on.
I still vividly rememer the specific moment I went to the Wayne store
with my mom. Just walking in there, it was something I had never
experienced at any other retailer, from their beautiful clothes to their
bedding. There was something so warm and welcoming. The store does
a great job of making someone really feel something as they walk in.
Not many retailers can get you to do that.
Make sure to dress for the job you want and not for the job you already
have. Keep your end goal in sight! Make yourself excited to get up and
go to work!"
- Annette O'Malley
Merchandising Assistant Blouses & Skirts

14.
"I started my career going into real estate in Florida, but I wasn't really
into it and I wanted something more creative. I met a realtor magazine
photographer and asked if I could start assisting him. I got to travel all
around the world with him. I realized this is what I wanted to do with
my life and eventually, I really felt like I could go on my own.
The people here are my favorite...I like that the brand puts heavy
emphasis on the creative process, letting you explore creativity. You
really get to learn about the brand. You see how decisions you make
affect the brand. I even enjoy just going to Jharoka or the lunch room
and saying hi to people. I love the energy...I need that positive energy to
keep me going. Not a lot of companies allow this much freedom."
- Landon McCann
Director of Photo Studio

15.
"My family is from Ghana; fashion wasn't a career. But my mom taught
me how to sew. In Ghana, you receive fabric for your school uniform
and you have to sew it yourself. I would stare and watch her sew
thinking she was making magic. I was an economics major, not
realizing I could do this with my life. It felt like I was marrying Prince
William when I realized I could. I didn't think this job was actually
possible!"
We get all the customer reviews and feedback; it feels so rewarding if
our customer loved it. Anthropologie has a high design concept, but
what I love is that my customer could be a mom or a school teacher.
We really love our customer. The decisions we make aren't just for
money, but rather because we want to make pieces that she would
want and be excited about. It doesn't matter if the trend is flattering. If
it's not on trend, but it's stunning, beautiful and we know she'll be
excited to get it, then we go for it! Considering what we charge for our
product, the Anthropologie customer is getting incredible value for her
money. We treat each piece like a collection; that's what makes it fun!"
- Beverly Schley
Senior Technical Designer

16.
"I came to America from China in 1996 when I was 32. I was a designer
and Vice President of Beijing Fashion Institute for fourteen years. In
1987, I had the opportunity to go to Japan to study fashion. Going to
Japan opened my eyes to fashion possibilities outside of China...that's
why I came to America!
I enjoy fashion, no matter what apparel it is. For four years, I worked for
couture companies like John Anthony in New York City. That season
gave me a lot of new experience.
All the people working with me here at URBN have experience and they
make my job so easy. They have a passion to work and when they want
to finish, they want the product to to be perfect. It helps make the
process so much more efficient."
- Susan Cai
Manager of the Pattern & Sample Room

17.
"When I was young, I dreamed of following Anderson Cooper around
the world as a traveling journalist and had no intention of going into the
retail industry. I would always ogle at Anthrpologie's elaborate window
displays but I didn't realize the company was based in Philadelphia.
Once I graduated from college, I made a habit of consistently checking
their job postings page. I initally applied for a temp role and didn't get
it. Then as fate would have it, my current role became available a
couple months later.
Everyday I am faced with a spectrum of challenges. Anything from
dealing with crazy vendors to delivery obstacles, I get to help find the
solution. I also have the to opportunity to collaborate with mutiple
teams, shadow different departments and have access to a vibrant
corporate campus. The people here are amazing, URBN attracts the
best of the best. My manager is incredibly supportive and fosters my
growth. My teammates kick ass! It's never a dull moment in our pod. I
like to think we are the definition of work hard, play hard, laugh hard. At
the end of the day I am sincerely grateful for this entry level role and
the introduction it has provided me to the insane world of retail."
- Emily Plummer
Buying Operations Coordinator Blouses & Skirts

18.
"Growing up, my parents renovated historic home and sold them. I have
never lived a house built past 1916! When I was 11, I started working
and helping them out. At 16, I worked at an interior designer firm as the
low man, processing inventory and all, but by the time I graduated hgh
school, I had assisted in design of full homes and had my own homes
and clients that I worked with."
"I love when historic pieces meet modern functionality; I love that
juxtiposition. It's very intimate. You have to study the home and time
period of the home. I'm learning that design is a process, not an end
goal. . It can always be evolved and made better. Behind every good
design is a great product. When you're the first man on the line, you
need to make sure you're giving them the right product to design their
home.That's why I've always admired Anthropologie's visual
standpoint. Their experience of making the stoore a magical thing for
customers is so cool."
- Hudson Moore
Home Buying Intern

19.
"I was an English and American Literature major at Harvard, minoring
in Islamic Architecture. I intended to get my Masters or PhD and
become a professor, but after graduating I needed to take time to work.
Investment bankers were recruiting on campus, and I couldn't imagine
myself doing that. Bloomingdales was there as well; I applied for a
training program making just $18,000/year. I stuck with it and loved it.
This company is unapologetic regarding creativity. That alone is the
spinal column of what we're about. It is front and center here. You see
people painting at their desk, or even hanging things off their wall! Our
customer values a a beautiful life over a flawless face. We want to give
her products that are both beautiful and effective. When I started this
department, it was just me. Now, there's nine of us!
Know that it is never too late in your career to pivot. Everything they tell
you about following your passion... it's true. Figure out what you love,
and make time to do it. Trust your gut, and follow it. It has never failed
me."
- Catherine Moellering
General Merchandising Manager Beauty

20.
"Since I was a little kid, I would draw little designs in class and secretly
pass them to my friends. They would rate them and then pass it back to
me. I realized very quickly that designing wasn't for me! But as I got
older, I began to grow fond of certain subjects and gain more skillsets
which I've been able to encorporate into a job within this industry.
I love the energy and vibe down here. Everyone is low key and creative.
They just want to work with you...that's what I really appreciate about
this company. And being a stylist, I can literally send an email directly to
our customer- that one on one connection is so unique. Connecting
with her is what keeps me excited about the URBN brand. There's so
much contact here that opens the door for different conversations with
such unique people."
- Caroline Dilsheimer
BHLDN Senior Stylist

21.
"My family has owned a dairy and egg farm in Lancaster for three
generations. But even at a young age, I loved playing dress-up and
sewing clothes for my Barbie dolls. I visited Savanna College of Art &
Design (SCAD) my junior year of high school and I decided to apply a
year early. Suddenly I found myself omitting my senior year of high
school. I'm a college drop out! Then I graduated from SCAD three years
later.
I work with the same design team now that I worked with during my
internship here. I realized finding a team you love is half the battle. Our
team especially is so tight knit and everything is hands on. There's so
much opportunity for growth! A highlight of my weeks are receiving the
catalog samples and getting to tangibly see what we've designed!"
- Khalee Kreider
Blouses and Skirts Assistant Designer

22.
"My father was in retail as a buyer in dresses, He told me not to do
retail, but I actually fell in love with it! I've been in retail for 30 years
and it never gets boring. It's worth the hard work and everything we put
into it. It all goes back to creative and artistic element and the way you
create the product-making sure its rooted in art and never forgetting
what we stand for. This brand always pushes for that element of
surprise.
Something I've learned is to never lose sight. It's the little things that
mean more than the big. It's the simple things in your day-to-day that
create and shape the beautiful product and really bring more to life
around here. You don't want to lose sight of that. Be hard working,
curious and that is what will make you successful. "
- Denise Albright
Chief Operating Officer

23.
"I worked in bridal for a while after interning with Anthropologie, but I
quickly realized that I wanted to come back here . I love the product
here, who our customer is and even their values. I honestly didn't know
much at all about Anthropologie until I started!
I never thought I'd be here, but I did know I wanted to do something in
fashion! I was so happy when I got accepted for my internship here that
I was crying. And when I got to come back, I cried again! My sister even
has a picture of me in tears with my hands up to my face!"
- Melissa McFadden
Product Development Assistant Dresses and Skirts

24.
"I started life as a psychology major. I practiced law, but there was a
creative side of me that hadn't fully been given a voice. I'm very
analytical, but my creative side wasn't being honored. I found I needed
that on a daily basis--bringing beauty to people as a part of my job. I'd
always been doing it on the side, so I decided to open my own store,
selling home crafted jewelry and artisanal accessories. I later closed
that store and went back to school for interior design.
Anthropologie has always provided great product and understood the
integrity of branding and customer experience in terms of it being a
lifestyle brand. I was longing for a place that inspires me as a company.
Anthropologie honors the artist, and not just the fine visual artist. They
bring creativity out of everyone and it helps people express themselves,
whether its personally or in home fashion specifically. We have such a
unique brand and voice. It's special seeing our customers feel so
connected."
- Abby Birk
Home Personal Stylist King of Prussia

25.
"When I was looking for schools, I assumed fashion would only be "just
for fun" on the side of my career, but I found myself gravitating toward
art school. Then I began to realize, 'Wait! I really can do this as a real
job!
Some of what I've gotten to work on this summer is fabric selection,
illustration sketches, color and production meetings,and indigo dye
different pieces. But the team dynamic has been really important and
my team has just been super supportive. If someone's having a bad
day, there's always somebody who is willing to be their personal
cheerleader at work. These are people who really do care about one
another and hang out together on weekends! And I really like working
with the other teams like product development, print and color. You get
to see all the different parts come together here at home office."
- Alexis Giger
Structured Wovens Intern

26.
"When I was really young, I wanted to be a fashion designer in New
York. More recently, I wanted to be a buyer, but now I'm seeing how
much I enjoy the operational side too. I have a entrepreneurial spirit. My
sister and I have this dream of opening our own boutique in the future...
I've realized how much Anthropologie really focuses on our customer.
The company makes decisions curated around who she is and what
she will want and value. You really see people constantly bringing it up
and discussing it together. Just in general, Anthropologie is so open to
new ideas and new direction for the brand. There's so much creativity!
Everyone has a voice and is listened to. It has been so cool for the
sample coordinators to create our role as leaders and make a voice for
ourselves here."
- Brittany Hirl
Samples Coordinator

27.
"I always knew I wanted to be in design. My grandad used to design
ceramics. My dad gave me his portfolio and I used to draw those
designs. I knew I always wanted to do something creative. But in
London, you specialize so early in college. You literally don't study
anything else. All four years, I just did design.
The brand is special; it feels like you're walking into the flea market
and discovering pieces that are so unique..we surprise people in that
way.
My manager helped me change my career and try something beyond
pure design. Switching roles opened my mind to the possibility of
changing careers and getting a bigger picture of how everything works
here. I communicate with so many different people now. It's opened my
eyes to how massive production is at Anthropologie."
- Sarah Ng
Senior Print Developer

28.
"I was an English major in college, but I always knew I wanted to do
fashion. I think I knew early on that I wanted to. I mean, all my
internships were fashion related. Even now, my favorite part of the
process is finalization and seeing what the designers show back. It
feels like our own fashion show!
Growing up, my mom and I would go to Anthropologie. It was our
weekend thing for us, to go shopping there. I still feel the same way
entering the store now, it really is stepping into something special.
Anthropologie has an ability to continually evolve yet still remain the
core of who they are. This feels like the store I grew up in. It just has
such unique product that you really cannot find anywhere else."
- Nicole Kelly
Assistant Buyer Blouses & Skirts

29.
"When I first started school, I was in graphic design. I changed my mind
and switched to business marketing. I had always been into art; I loved
to draw, paint and doodle. My parents said they were expecting this
decision already! I enjoy doing smaller creative projects on the side at
home. I love to experiment with polka dots, stripes and patterns. I think
I'm more into all that now because I have a daughter!
I like the support that production is able to provide. You really get to
witness how the style starts from beginning and where it eventually
ends up. We get to work with teams on all ends of the product lifecycle.
We really all have to work together, with all the different fits arriving. My
favorite part of the week is the Design Flow meeting. Whenever there's
a problem or an issue arises, everyone gets on the same page and puts
their heads together to make it all work out. "
- Ha Na Cha
Production Assistant Blouses and Skirts

30.
"When I was young, I wanted to work at the dry cleaners! I loved how
the clothes came out. I think I've always loved clothes and the trends. I
remember each decade by how badly I wanted the trends like neon
sweaters or Guess jeans!
I had originally started off as an engineering major, but I ended up
graduating with an accounting degree. I was a manager at an
accounting firm for awhile! I was able to transition into buying at Henri
Bendel and then Barneys later. When I first applied here, I didn't realize
how big the brand was! I had always felt like I was shopping in a small
boutique. I was here for a year, but I left for awhile to design a
collection that I actually sold to Anthropologie while focusing on my kids
and family. When my schedule opened up seven years later, I knew I
wanted to come back. I've been back for a year! I love that it's never
boring here. I'm always inspired by something new, and my schedule is
never set in stone. We always ask ourselves, 'How is this going to be
different? How can we do bigger and better?' We try to maintain the
'only through Anthropologie' lense. "
- Melissa Thompson Charatz
Senior Buyer Blouses and Skirts

31.
"I grew up in a small town in Michigan, so the closest Anthropologie
was two and a half hours away from me. I remember my first
Anthropologie store experience.I was just in awe of all the details, and I
felt like I was in a museum. I needed to see every single piece. A lot of
customers don't realize how handmade everything in store really is.
Each store is architecturually and aesthetically unique. We must always
be thinking about what can inspire her and make her feel beautiful.
I started working for Anthropologie straight out of college as an Atlanta
market store display coordinator. The trajectory was unknown at the
time for me, but I did know I wanted to be a part of the idea generation
at the company home office. Being a display artist in store is such an
amazing opportuunity that we offer; it allows individuals to hone in on
skill sets that they already love. I fell in love with a specific window
prototype; i quickly i fell in love with papercutting because of the
influence Anthropologie had on my personal work."
- Katherine Lundburg
Display Manager

32.
"In high school, it was with my art teacher that I realized I wanted to do
something creative and artistic. I really wanted to live in the city and
build my design career. There were only a few computers available
then. They were all very traditional and manual, but by the time I
graduated, computers had taken off! I think it's simply pencil and paper
though, that really stretches your mind. That is why Anthropologie is
such an amazing place to work. Touch of hand is in our DNA. Ever detail
in our garments has an element of touch.
I was with the company when we had less than fifty stores. We worked
in Center Ciy on 17th and Locust in an old mansion. I shared an office
with my designer...it was a converted bathroom! But we're not a "slick"
company. Our customer is the type of woman who would write us a
thank you note and personally put it in her mailbox; an email simply
wouldn't do. There is a personal, authentic relationship with our
customer; she's our friend and genuinely looks to us to guide her. "
- Carolyn Keer
Senior Creative Director of Brand Voice

33.
"My mom was a microbiologist, my dad a doctor and my sister a
physical therapist! It was cool seeing the personal love of my mom
become a profession and love for me. I've been here twelve years; I
started as an associate buyer for dresses and pants. Back when I
started, we used to throw a mini party every time a new store opened!
Buying is my favorite area; it works the left and right brain. There is
definitely a creativity and design to it. At the end of the day though, it's
about the financials and margin and making the business tick. It's
about using style and fashion to drive that business. And we don't
provide a single fashion perpective, but we touch on a handful of
different girls and mix it up, allowing her to interpret them for herself.
Something my dad said has always come back to me...that once I get
comfortable, it's time to move ahead. Never get too cozy, so to speak.
When I push myself and it's uncomfortable, that is when the new doors
begin to open."
- Nicole Sewall
General Merchandise Manager, Apparel and BHLDN