The first time Australian designer Jana Kachel visited Anthropologie, she was a young backpacker, yet to launch the eponymous fashion label that's now synonymous with print, pattern, and feminine charm.
“I just had to bring something home from this store,” she remembers.
“Anthropologie embodies my childhood home,” explains Jana. Her mother is an artist, and she grew up surrounded by imagination (and a lot of paint). “There is a ‘child of the earth’ element to Anthropologie that’s full of innocence, naivety, peace, freedom, and adventure. It is inclusive of all cultures, humble, and respectful of all arts.”
In short, we’re two of a kind – and we’ve been proud to carry Jana’s globally celebrated collection, Kachel, since 2013. These dresses are the stuff of our most romantic daydreams: hand-watercolored florals, folk-art geometrics, and palettes straight out of a Balinese garden.
Inside the Artist’s Studio with
Designer Jana Kachel
“The heart of the collection has always been about print and color,” she says. Her work draws inspiration from artists from Cézanne to Basquiat and Monet to Klee. She’s also a passionate traveler, seeking beauty in each culture she explores.
Though her globe-trotting plans, like all of ours, are paused for the time being, Jana recently set out on another kind of adventure: designing her first-ever home collection, just for us at Anthropologie.
Though her globe-trotting plans, like all of ours, are paused for the time being, Jana recently set out on another kind of adventure: designing her first-ever home collection, just for us at Anthropologie.
“I have an obsession with homewares,” she gushes. “I was beyond excited for this collaboration with Anthro…it was ticking something off my bucket list. I have just loved it.”
A selection of Kachel’s signature prints now adorn only-at-Anthro quilts, pillows, towels, rugs, and stationery, in addition to tunics, tops, and twirl-worthy dresses.
Jana’s own home is full of the same sensibilities – pattern and color, creativity and warmth.
“My home is a reflection of me and my family,” she says. “I love to mix things together that are unexpected, and give them a unique twist.”
Kachel prints make an appearance, of course; Jana and her son, Jack, often use extra fabric to sew reversible throw pillows. “Our family home is an eclectic mix of found treasures from my travel and sentimental, inherited heirlooms," she says.
A selection of Kachel’s signature prints now adorn only-at-Anthro quilts, pillows, towels, rugs, and stationery, in addition to tunics, tops, and twirl-worthy dresses.
Jana’s own home is full of the same sensibilities – pattern and color, creativity and warmth.
“My home is a reflection of me and my family,” she says. “I love to mix things together that are unexpected, and give them a unique twist.”
Kachel prints make an appearance, of course; Jana and her son, Jack, often use extra fabric to sew reversible throw pillows. “Our family home is an eclectic mix of found treasures from my travel and sentimental, inherited heirlooms," she says.
“My home holds so many memories…things passed through generations, artwork by my mom and my children...each piece has its own story and meaning," she says.
“Your home should tell a story about the people who live in it and the places they’ve been."
Now, thanks to Jana, what a colorful tale that can be.
See every episode of Anthro Presents: The Artist’s Studio – and meet more inspiring collaborators – on @anthropologie IGTV!
“Your home should tell a story about the people who live in it and the places they’ve been."
Now, thanks to Jana, what a colorful tale that can be.
See every episode of Anthro Presents: The Artist’s Studio – and meet more inspiring collaborators – on @anthropologie IGTV!