Is it me – or is this the strangest catalog cover you have ever seen?
Now don’t get me wrong – I LOVE Anthropologie. Of course I do – I’ve actually written about their catalogs and all of the clothes that I wish I could buy (here and here if you’re interested). And I’ve always admired their unique layouts that look far more like art than fashion shoots.
But this one just seemed a bit out there for a retail catalog… I find it simultaneously beautiful and disturbing.
Beautiful for the way it evokes impressions of old world paintings – what you see when you stand too close and the image blurs. Also the light appears to glow from within. At the same time I’m reminded of looking at a sunset – how rose and copper rays light up the face turned up to it, and everything behind fades to dusky blue. Yes – quite beautiful.
But there is also something a bit disconcerting about it. After the initial impression of ethereal light, you realize that the model is under water. Still peaceful…but in what way? She doesn’t look like she’s swimming. Instead she kind of looks like she’s floating. Face down.
But then again, I really don’t see death in this image, just an eerie stillness.
And then it came to me. The real reason why it seems a bit odd.
When I see this:
I’m reminded of this:
Have you ever seen a 3-D ultrasound before? I had one once for Oliver very late into the pregnancy, so it probably didn’t work as well as it should. I found it terrifying. It looked like a baby made of clay that someone started to smush back into an unformed state. And there was something creepy about the amber tint of the film (or maybe I just associate the color with the weird smushy baby).
Also, every image the technician captured made my baby looked like he had two black holes for eyes and a little black nose. All I could say was, “he looks like a panda!” So I passed on the 3-D print outs. The old school sonogram pictures of black and white silhouettes worked just fine for me thank you.
Now, I know that the cover/ultrasound comparison isn’t an exactly likeness…but seriously – if you take away the hair and make the tint as amber as Illustrator will let you (which unfortunately for my argument – isn’t very much…):
Do you see it?!
I think they were going for water nymph in this cover – but the recently pregnant woman in me sees a 3-D ultrasound.
Maybe I’m onto something here. Something truly avant garde for the next cover.
Womb Style!
No? Okay – maybe not.
There is a reason that I’m not an art director for Anthropologie. The fashion world just isn’t ready for me.
Wouldn’t surprise me if you open your mailbox one day to see that idea on a their cover!
I always thought I’d want a 3D ultrasound until I started seeing images of them everywhere. Then I decided, that for me, part of the joy of having a baby was laying eyes on them for the very first time after they were born.
(that and my doctor rarely even thought it necessary for me to have normal ultrasounds!)
Hah! Having never seen a 3D ultrasound, I didn’t make that connection. But I found that whole underwater shoot to be just annoying. I mean seriously, how are we supposed to tell if we LIKE the clothes if we can’t even SEE them?
The whole water theme was weird. The blanket covered boat? I kept thinking, “that’ll never work.”
Oh my lord, that is creepy… I’m pretty sure every woman who’s ever had a 3D ultrasound will think that same exact thing, too, which is, um, about 90% of their clientele, I’d wager…
I think the 3D ultrasounds are very creepy. I’m so glad to know that someone agrees with me!
I was thinking about blogging about the latest Anthropologie catalog too! You’re right about the cover. I LOVED the photographs inside under water. The clothes floating. I think their marketing people are genius.
Oh, wow! I totally see what you are talking about!
And graphic designer could totally be your thing. You really do have a fantastic eye!
That is strange (both the cover and the 3D ultrasound). I think swimming would have been better, like the Drew Barrymore cover of Elle magazine.
I like the comparison you drew. However, I’m also wondering if I’m the only woman in the world who doesn’t get an Anthropologie catalog! I know I’m cheap, but I can at least look.
Oh my goodness too eerily funny! I don’t get the anthro catalogs, which is not bothering me one least bit after seeing that cover!
I totally see it! Way freaky. I hated having the 3-D ultrasound— I kept imagining hearing the baby yell “I’m melting, I’m melting!!!”
I thought that catalog was bizarre too – I love their stuff, but I kept thinking: Did they really ruin that gorgeous bag, did they really dunk those beautiful expensive shoes?
More importantly – can I have the wet ones??
I think it just goes to show that our children are works of art. :)
And it also makes me wonder why I haven’t gotten my catalog yet!
Eww, that’s totally creepy–good call!
For once, I’m sort of happy I didn’t get this catalog…although drooling over their merch online isn’t much different…
HUGE LOL!!!
i just got this catalogue in the mail last week and thought the same thing…beautitful yet creepy!
and yes. it does look like those eerie 3-D pictures….
thanks again for all of your help!
I totally see it. That’s what I thought it was at first. An ultrasound, not the cover of Anthropologie!!
Much love from NJ,
Sue
xoxo
its disturbing because she looks like she is drowning.
Reminds me of a horror movie or something.
Yikes.
Interesting ultra-sound comparison.
I had a 3D ultrasound with Porgie, and I also found it disturbing.
Strange catalog cover.
What kind of stuff are they selling here?
The picture is beautiful but I don’t know if it would make me what to buy anything other than a towel….
It’s all kind of creepy. Those babies would look much cuter if they were photoshopped to be all pink and white like the pretty (creepy looking) lady on the Anthropologie cover! They look a little dirty with that amber and brown tinge. I guess my lack of maternal instincts are showing here!
3D ultra sound? What else will they think of? It kind of creeps me out—just a bit—cause they look a bit scwunchy.
Oh my God, you are so spot on with that. I still have photos of Phoebe in-utero and I look at them in awe every time. hard to believe she is going to be six
I thought it was a different type of cover too – I got my catalog the other day but haven’t had a chance to look at it yet….
It does look the same how strange
I got that catalog the other day too and it freaked me out! I didn’t like it at all. I hadn’t noticed the similarity to a 3d ultrasound, but I’ve only seen one or two. I thought the pictures made it hard to see what the clothing really looked like!
i just realized i don’t get the catalog anymore. i think someone from anthropoligie drove by my house and said, uhhh, no, no, she won’t be needing our catalog anymore.
An ultrasound catalog– what a perfect idea!
How did I not get this catalog? I’ve gotten all the rest, not paid much attention, and gone on my merry way. Now I actually want to see it and I don’t have one! Gah!
Oh my gosh!! Kate!! You are killing me!! The photo completely looks like a smushed up 3-d baby!! Only you would see that though which is what makes me laugh.
I totally agree with you. I just don’t know if I would have seen it that way until you pointed it out. Seriously. You make me LAUGH!
Oops – just realized that I forgot to go back and comment on this. These images are so eerie they look like illustrations for a Sheri Tepper SciFi book. Totally creepy. I’m glad 3-D ultrasound didn’t exist when I was pregnant! Those squishy babies! I would have obsessed and worried the whole rest of the pregnancy over what was going to emerge from my body. Rosemary’s demon baby maybe!
Yes – I thought that catalog was a little freaky too. I couldn’t decide if it was all done digitally or if they were really underwater. I usually have a HUGE list of things I want from the catalog, but I had a hard time picking things from the underwater pictures. I just don’t see me wearing things underwater, I guess.
And? I had 17 ultrasounds with one child and she NEVER showed her face when we turned on the 4-D feature.