Ankasa

As you all may know – I recently traveled to New York with BlogTourNYC, where I spent 3 days immersing myself into the world of design.  On the morning of my departure, I spent a leisurely morning strolling around the streets of Soho to get in every last minute of my time in the city.   I have long known about Ankasa and  their wonderful line of embellished pillows and fabric line for Beacon Hill/Robert Allen, but what I did not know is that one of their two flagship boutiques was located in Soho on  Broome Street.  When I stumbled upon the storefront, of course I had to head in – until that moment I had never seen the entire collection in one swoop, so I took the opportunity when it presented itself.

What I found was a more than just pillows and textiles – Ankasa sells a luxury lifestyle inspired by fashion and sought after by the most design savvy consumer.  First up when I walked through the doors was this simple collection of tote bags that was hung on the wall as works of art – some of which were sequined in quirky crown and animal head motifs, others that incorporated preppy stripes and were either silkscreened or embroidered.  Collectively, they made for a stunning display.

Next up was the large assortment of pillows.  Some a bit bright and  bold, incorporating stripes and whimsical motifs…

others with more of an ethnic edge, with indigo and white hand-dyed shibori, embroidered ikat and suzani motifs, and hand block  prints.

Then came the sophisticated natural linen and off- white grouping that incorporated pretty embroidered florals, and more sophisticated techniques of applying embellishment where layers upon layers of chiffon were appliquéd in rows to form three dimensional motifs.

It didn’t stop at just pillows.  Throughout the entire store, there were eye catching details .  One of my favorites, the embroidered skull on the back of this dining chair, below.  There’s nothing like adding a little dash of whimsy to the dining room, where one least expects it-  a true conversation piece that gives guests something to talk about at the dinner table.

An assortment of fabrics lined the wall, each with a little something special to set it apart from the group. Tie dye, shibori, embroidery, sequins, embroidery on stripe, chain stitching…there was a little something for everybody. Because of my background in fashion, my eye has always been drawn to embellishment, trim, and details, and for this same reason, I have always looked to the Ankasa label for inspiration – what a treat to see the line in person and in its entirety (or close to it).

In addition to the selection of pillows and textiles, there was a tightly curated selection of dinnerware,  furnishings, lighting, and accessories for the home that blended together beautifully.

If you ever find yourself in New York City and strolling around Soho, be sure to stop by Ankasa, located in the heart of Soho at 424 Broome Street (between Crosby and Lafayette) – but allow yourself enough time because there’s so much to see, and you could easily lose track of time, as I did!