Urban Outfitters Inc. has a building called 543 in the Navy Yard that is the center of employee life. This building is shared by the three brands and is also open to the public. 543 houses our restaurant/cafeteria, gym, yoga studio, coffee shop, and magazine shop among other things. Since it is a space the employees visit so often, we thought it would be a great place to set up an art gallery to display the artwork or collections of the employees. Our company is filled with creative people and we want to showcase all of their hidden talents…
So to kick it off, Free People employee Kris Chau set up a show of her art work with her best friend Brielle. You might recognize Chau’s style from a few illustrations that have been posted on the blog. Check out the video of Kris and Brielle and the gallery opening, and Kris Chau’s website!!
June, 2007
free people art show
June 29th, 2007 / Posted by fpgirl / Permalink
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kit yee
June 28th, 2007 / Posted by fpgirl / Permalink
Meet Kit Yee. She works for one of the factories we work with in Hong Kong and visited our office last week…
It was an awesome opportunity to get to know each other, and to work
hand-in-hand with our designers and production team.
She saw a lot of Philadelphia during her stay, including a visit to Franklin Fountain on Market St. She loved the egg cream!
Here’s a little message Kit Yee sent us…
6/23 3pm: I am on the flight CO099 way back to home
6/24 8pm: 15 hrs later, I am in HK international airport
Can¹t believe 5 days is just like a flash, remember all the nice and cool
people I met in Free People office, the tasty ice cream I have had, the cool
hair cut, and the surprise birthday party for Carrie!! (correct me if I
spell your name wrong. TKS!)
Haha! Seems I just have fun in Philly though I did. I need to mention
something about my hard work here!
This is really my pleasure to have chance work with all FP people in Philly.
Thanks everybody for providing me such memorable experience and especially
Lorie, Doub and my boss Andy and Joey help to arrange this wonderful trip
for me!
Hope to have chance to see you all in HK!
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our new store, greenwich connecticut!
June 27th, 2007 / Posted by fpgirl / Permalink
Last week, the Free People display team, the merchandisers, and the retail teams were all busy setting up our new store in Greenwich, Connecticut! You should definitely go visit the store and see how it came out, but here are some “behind the scenes” of the preparation.
The above photos are of the finished art in the fitting rooms. The display team hand paints, draws, stencils something unique in each room. Don’t they look amazing???
And here we have the transportation of the giant yarn balls. Looks like a comfy ride…
This is the first Free People store to have this cool new cash-wrap. (Don’t mind the mess, remember this was from setting up the store) The little windows are filled with treasures found in Hong Kong. Some have flowers, stationary, and other crazy sparkly Chinese decorations. One of our sweater designers, Amy, lives in Hong Kong and she found all of these incredible bits for us. She said she sourced them in these tiny hole-in-the-wall shops and alley ways. She had lots of fun finding them and it was so different from working on the sweaters. Thanks to Amy, the cash-wrap looks awesome! Go check out the store for yourself!
- Emeline says:
I searched on google “giant yarn ” and I found your post.
Can you explain me where did you buy it or how did you make ?
Thank you !! - emily says:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the Greenwich store. I live in Westchester NY and I was waiting and waiting for a store to open near me (because prior to this one, Bloomingdales small selection had to suffice, either that or an hour car ride to Roosevelt Fields Mall) and just as it opened, I left for camp. You can only imagine my distress. Anyways, I went to the store a few days ago and I LOVE IT. Free People is by far my favorite brand/clothing and makes up 25% of my closet. So THANK YOU for opening a store in Greenwich. It looks INCREDIBLE and I’m planning on going back VERY soon.
- teresa says:
Wow…love the creativity explosion in that new store. Man that looks like it was a fun process!!
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homestead
June 26th, 2007 / Posted by fpgirl / Permalink
I’m sure you’ve noticed all this talk about “homestead” on our website the last week or two. What’s homestead? It’s the name of our latest trend concept. Since we didn’t do a catalog inspired by this trend, I thought I’d give you some of the info we use in the home office to connect to this idea. Check out this poem written by one of our girls on the creative team…
land of buffalo bones and tumbling stones.
old guns and whispering ghosts,
forbidden love and untamed hearts.
old time desperado and willful maiden.
lonesome prairie and wild frontier.
across the wide, open, airy fields,
running,swimming,swiftly
through tall weeds and wild flowers.
plaid skirt, dusty wind blown hair,
dandelion petals in your eyelashes.
my senses obscured by white lace and
a curling trail of gun smoke.
lay your blouse across the chair
let fall the flowers
from your hair
and kiss me
with that country mouth
so plain
and shop for pieces inspired by homestead here!
- adeline says:
very nice dress :)
This is still available in 2011 ?
Thanks, Adeline
- Emily says:
Ok great, thanks!!
- skunkboy says:
NICE–I love the Ray Lamontagne reference.
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our story
June 25th, 2007 / Posted by fpgirl / Permalink
Lots of people ask about the history of Free People, how the brand was started, about the relationship with Urban Outfitters, etc. Well, now we have posted our story on our website for all to read. Check it out here!
- Lara says:
Well, I was 26 when I discovered Free People but I’m 30 now! ;)
Thanks for being in love with me. - notcot says:
SO nice to finally hear the Free People/Urbn/Anthro story! Always did wonder about that.
hey fp girl ~ i love your blog, and we’re in the midst of launching NotCouture to join the NOTCOT network of sites and would love to chat with you. Drop me an email? [i couldn't find the contact info for you on here]
~ jean
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free people party!
June 21st, 2007 / Posted by fpgirl / Permalink
Our store in Garden City, NY (Roosevelt Field Mall) would like to invite you to celebrate their one year anniversary! The girls are super excited. They’re decorating the store, bringing in sweets & treats and even making little gifts for you.
Visit the Garden City location and receive a gift with your purchase on Saturday, June 30th from 12 to 7pm.
- 807 rocker says:
807 IS THE BEST OF ALL.
- Cristina (801) says:
woot! 801 is where its at. but i guess everyone else is alright.
happy bday roosevelt field! hey when’s our bday? does anyone know? - someone completely anonymous says:
That party was cool! Those vegan chocolate chip cookies that were cruelty Free and organic were the best!
· { thanks for always good links } ·
thats funny I always thought Kris Chau was a male!
go chau and brielle!!!
great show!