Man Shops Globe, Bazaars, Flea Markets on Sundance

Although the outfits at Anthropologie stores aren't generally suited to our age, the chain store is not known only for browsing current fashion and what daughters and granddaughters might be interested in wearing, the home decorating goods are marvelous: bright, ethnic, colorful and useful. In fact, I save their catalogs and have given store gift certificates to my daughters.

We don't get the Sundance Channel on our cable service (yes, we've cut back) but the series, Man Shops Globe, can be viewed at the Sundance Channel website, led by one of the Anthropologie buyers, Keith Johnson. The Sundance Channel site described what the series has set out to explore:

"Claiming he has the 'greatest job in the world,' Keith Johnson invites viewers along on an international treasure hunt on the Sundance Channel original series, Man Shops Globe. In out-of-the-way antique shops, private dealerships and craft stalls, Johnson looks for one-of-a-kind home furnishings and accessories."

"In each half-hour program, Keith travels to a new country in search of fantastic and unusual decorative objects, furniture, and textiles. He also seeks out the world's best artists and crafts people. Man Shops Globe follows Johnson, who travels six months of the year, to ends-of-the-earth excursions, from flea markets in Paris to remote villages in India and obscure art studios in Turkey."

"Keith Johnson's passion for art, antiques and travel emerged in childhood as he accompanied his father, an art dealer, on excursions through Europe. His current role as Anthropologie's buyer-at-large is driven by Johnson's early experiences and boundless curiosity. He spends most of the year abroad in search of decorative antiques and found objects to be sold in Anthropologie stores and serve as inspiration for in-house design, as well as gifted artisans to create original works."

"Johnson's relationship with Anthropologie began in 1994 when his partner Glen Senk, now CEO of parent company Urban Outfitters Inc., became president. Senk asked Johnson to find decorative antiques and found objects for the women's lifestyle retailer's first store. As Anthropologie grew so did Johnson's responsibilities. He now acquires decorative antiques and found objects for 123 Anthropologie stores in the United States and curates the art gallery in Anthropologie's Rockefeller Center location."

One video focussed on one of our favorite fabric treatments, the ancient art of indigo dying. An upcoming feature has Anna Sui accompanying the buyers on a trip; Anna Willi's paper sculptures, Samatha Robinson's belly bowls, Anna and Lachlan Stewart's Scottish goods. The episode guide to both seasons will outline the destinations, the artists, the goods. One of a kind will profile individual artists and their products.

Travel to the St. Ouen Flea Market in Paris, the Kapalicarsi Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and Piet Botha's Craft Shop in Cape Town, all available on line.

Culture and Arts, Home and Shopping, Festivals and Culture, Shop for Home, Senior Women Web

Man Shops Globe, Bazaars, Flea Markets on Sundance

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