Show brings shopping, traveling to small screen

By Han Sang-hee

Traveling around the world and searching for old and new curio is one of the biggest excitements in life, but for Keith Johnson, buyer for lifestyle store Anthropologie and host of reality show ``Man Shops Globe,’’ it’s his job and passion.

``The buyers are essential in our business. In the end it all comes down to the buyers finding inspiring merchandise,’’ he told The Korea Times in an email interview.

The show is currently in its second season and although it seems to the viewer that Johnson has everything that would make a great show ―traveling around the world and shopping ― he didn’t imagine working on a television program at all.

``There are so many things that I see in my travels that I want to share. I never, for a moment, thought I would do a TV show. I know how much people love to shop, though, so I believed that if the filmmakers could get across just some of that experience, the show would find an audience,’’ he said.

The camera literally follows Johnson as he works, present when he meets artists, fellow buyers and practically the world. The show is equally fun and inspiring, as viewers can watch how Johnson meshes different objects from picture frames, rugs to fabrics and small Buddha sculptures and transforms them into unique pieces to decorate your home. With him as a guide, the viewers get to shop around the world, and journey to exotic places for a thrilling treasure hunt at such places like Syria, Italy, Scotland and Australia.

In Syria, for example, he is joined by fashion designer Anna Sui and the two search for unique furniture, before Johnson heads off to look for pottery in Sweden.

``The show has taught me to appreciate how fortunate I am to do what I do for a living. In the past, I have always been so absorbed in my work that I didn't have a chance to reflect on all that I have seen. The show helps me to do that,’’ he said.

Although he has been working as a buyer for the past 16 years, this doesn’t mean he will find exactly what he is looking for at every turn of the corner. Which is why all that experience is so important.

``Finding great things in a market is really a matter of staying focused and identifying the best vendors. You need to train your eye to know what is best so that when you see something great in a pile of junk, it jumps out at you,’’ he explained.

``Anthropologie is all about romance and passion. If I don't fall in love with something and want it for myself, I won't buy it for the store. It is difficult to say sometimes what makes something right for Anthropologie. It is very much an emotional response. Of course, sometimes you can fall in love and make a big mistake! But in order to have interesting and surprising things, you have to take chances,’’ he advised.

Having a keen eye and knowing what you want is important, but what if you really can’t find anything that interests you? Relax, stay focused and don’t fret, the host advises.

`` I am always imagining that I will find something great. It keeps me going! I used to be very frustrated when I couldn't find what I was looking for. After 16 years of doing this job, though, I am much more philosophical about it.’’

So does the world traveler have any plans to stop by Korea?

``I have heard so many great things about Korea. I’ve seen so much amazing Korean art in markets and museums around the world that it is a place that I plan to visit,’’ he said.

Watch ``Man Shops Globe’’ in Korea now through the Sundance channel every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.