Beyond Hashtags: Dear Anthropologie

Dear Hillary,

I want to tell you about my favorite coffee mug. I bought it about 10 years ago from the Anthropologie store in Southlake, Texas. It has the loveliest variations of blue, painted onto its flower shaped bowl. The handle is so thin it makes people nervous, but it is just the right size and width to slip my fingers around as I sip a generous cup of tea or cocoa. It gets compliments every time someone new sees it, and it is a secret mark of my love for a guest, when I offer it to them.

I also want to tell you about my favorite Anthropologie shirt. I bought it about 6 years ago, near San Francisco, California. It is a white, poet style shirt with ¾ length sleeves. The neckline and body of the shirt are embroidered with black flowers and the neck is tied off with a lovely white bow. I enjoy how easy it is to transition from season to season and from casual to dressy in that shirt. It’s an excellent garment to travel with since it goes with so many things and always looks just a little special. It also gets compliments any time I wear it.

Early in January, I ate brunch with some girlfriends at Terrain in Bethesda, Maryland. We enjoyed the lovely atmosphere and sat near the windows, sipping tea before we wandered over to the shop to look for something wonderful and new. While I was there, I realized that my daughter had finally reached an age when she would enjoy visiting this lovely store with me. So, I was excited a couple weeks later, to take her to the Anthropologie store in Fairfax, Virginia and show her around. I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that she loved it. She doted on the jewelry displays and delighted in the textures of the clothes.

Now I want to tell you how sad I was to hear about your store’s nickname for black guests and the policy of keeping extra eyes on them. I was sad for my extended family members who are black. I was sad for my daughter, who is black. And I’m a little sad for myself, because I won’t be back.

I’d like to come back to Urbn stores. It’s easy for a company to hashtag a popular movement and say they stand for important things. I’ll be watching. I’ll be waiting to see people of color on your board and in your highest company positions. I’ve already looked. I can keep checking.

In the meantime, I’ll take my daughter someplace else to find beautiful things. The world is full of beauty and we can find places and people who appreciate her beauty too.

Sincerely,

Anne Marumahoko

 

Hillary Super is president of Anthropologie Group Apparel. Would you like to send her an email too? Try hillary.super@urbanout.com.