The Anthro Twist: Inside the Making of Anthropologie's Window Displays

Anthropologie's Global Display Director Erika Lavinia reveals how the brand transforms everyday inspiration into immersive, show-stopping window installations.

By Kelly Lindenau  ·  June 16, 2026  ·  Adapted extract

Modern consumers are fickle, slinking between brands to search for inspiration and new products. When consumers lack rigid brand loyalty, a generic, uninspired storefront can quickly fade into the background. Conversely, an elevated, beautifully lit window display creates an immediate lifestyle narrative that can capture attention and foot traffic on the spot.

Perhaps no retailer better illustrates the power of visual storytelling than Anthropologie. The brand has built a reputation for transforming its storefront windows into immersive works of art, creating larger-than-life installations that stop passersby in their tracks and invite them into the brand's world.

But while customers see the finished product, they rarely see what happens behind the scenes. Each display begins as a spark of inspiration before evolving through months of brainstorming, prototyping, problem-solving, and collaboration between home office teams, merchandisers and in-store artists.

"For me, the most successful displays sit at the intersection of artistry and purpose. They create a sense of wonder, but they also help communicate what Anthropologie is all about."

- Erika Lavinia, Global Display Director, Anthropologie

Given how elaborate and eye-catching Anthropologie's displays are, it's almost hard to believe that these grandiose visual installations began as simple ideas inspired by everyday moments - a memorable trip, an art exhibition, a walk in the woods. "Story is always the most important ingredient," said Lavinia. "When we tell a visual story that captures someone's imagination, creates a sense of wonder, or simply makes them smile, I consider that a success."

Once inspiration strikes, concepts are translated into digital renderings before moving into material exploration and physical prototyping - a process that can take weeks. "We build, critique, refine and push ideas further, always asking how we can make the experience richer, more beautiful, and more complete," Lavinia explained. "It's a process rooted in curiosity and craftsmanship."

Without a direct line connecting a display to a purchase, Lavinia noted that influence can manifest in different ways. "We often say that the window display is like the cover of our store 'catalog'. If we've done our job well, it sparks curiosity, creates an emotional connection, and invites someone to turn the page and explore what's inside."

While Anthropologie's window displays may appear effortless to shoppers passing by, they're anything but - behind every installation is a team of creatives, merchandisers and store artists working together to transform a simple idea into something memorable.