{10.05.09} Travel

3
Questions for:
Man Shops Globe
 

You probably don't spend a lot of time at Anthropolgie. Still, you've likely admired the work of Keith Johnson, buyer-at-large, who's responsible for all the eccentric pieces among the windows and racks. The Sundance Channel noticed his talent for unearthing a perfectly worn club chair and decided to follow the globe-trotter from the blacksmiths of South Africa to the salvage shops of Amsterdam. "Man Shops Globe" debuts Wednesday, Oct. 7.

1

How much time do you spend on the road?

About six months a year. Trips can last anywhere from a few days to eight weeks. Back in the day, we used to buy an "around the world" ticket that let you keep traveling in one direction. That was interesting.

2

Is it hard traveling with a camera crew in tow?

 I was nervous that it would. I'm not natural on camera, and I thought it'd be strange for the shop owners. But it wasn't strange at all. They loved it. Turns out, no matter where you are these days, there's always a camera around.

3

Favorite find of all time?

In an old barn in Belgium, I bought a music shop. The whole thing—spiral staircase, balcony and all—had been taken from a demolished building and reassembled there. We packed it into crates and we're assembling it now in our new London shop.