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Richa Srivastava, Anthropologie’s chief creative officer, approaches shopping like a designer at work. Her eye dissects fabric, seam and silhouette, even when she’s simply browsing online. That exacting habit collides with a more familiar habit: filling an online cart as a sort of digital wish list. The result is a mix of studied taste, sentimental collecting and playful impulse buying.
Why design training changes how she shops
Srivastava’s education at FIT and years in New York fashion houses shaped how she evaluates clothes. Instead of gliding through racks, she reads construction.
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- Fit and finish matter: Seams, drape and pattern placement stand out to her.
- Designer memory: Early influences like Maison Margiela and Gianfranco Ferré still inform her eye.
- Professional instincts: Even casual purchases are viewed through a design lens.
Before joining Anthropologie, she spent nearly two decades at labels such as Adrianna Papell and Liz Claiborne. She moved from India to New York for school and, after more than a decade with Anthropologie, traded a long NYC commute for life closer to the retailer’s Philadelphia headquarters.
Travel drives the most unexpected finds
When she travels, Srivastava makes room for discoveries. She carries a compact REI duffel that opens into a large tote meant for the return trip.
Packed surprises
- Antique shop treasures
- Local design pieces picked up at boutiques
- Small objects tied to memory and place
One trip brought home Russian nesting dolls that echoed family keepsakes from her father’s time overseas. Another yielded a uniquely designed gravity tray found at a photography show. Those items aren’t just objects; they’re stories she stitches into her life.
Why Japan and stationery are special to her
Japan ranks high on her list of shopping destinations. She admires daily objects there for their attention to detail and clever design. For Srivastava, the country’s stores offer thoughtful tools for everyday life.
Stationery is a particular passion. She describes herself as a stationery enthusiast, collecting pens, notebooks and organizers whenever she can. Tokyo, she says, is a paradise for that interest.
Vintage devotion and reliable repeat buys
New brands catch her eye, but vintage remains a touchstone. She still seeks pieces by designers she admired during her studies, and her wardrobe reflects that ongoing search.
- Sneakers — she buys multiples until one feels right.
- Chore jackets — repeated purchases signal a tried-and-true silhouette.
- A willingness to embrace trends after a long resistance.
She admits to finally giving in to items after repeated exposure online. Mesh ballet flats and barrel jeans made their way into her closet after some soul-searching and algorithmic persuasion.
The emotional side of buying: personal meaning over utility
Shopping for Srivastava often has an emotional logic. If something resonates deeply, she finds reasons to bring it home.
One anecdote underlines that impulse: a colleague’s tattooed artwork led to an immediate T-shirt purchase. The piece was treasured so much she plans to preserve what remains once it wears thin.
