Anthropologie has renewed its partnership with Nest, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering artisans and makers, and will bring back its Anthropologie x Nest Fellowship Program for a second year to support and shine a spotlight on talented female artisans.
Applications for this year’s fellowship program are now open. Each of the five fellows selected will receive nine months of business learning and training, expert mentorship and product development support, followed by six months of commission-free marketplace access, all of which is supported by a $100,000 corporate donation from Anthropologie. Each fellow also will receive a grant to invest in their business.
“Supporting artisan craftsmanship is deeply connected to our impact strategy, particularly our focus on the arts and women’s empowerment,” said Kate Haldy, Head of PR, Communications and Impact at Anthropologie Group in an interview with Retail TouchPoints. “At a time when customers are increasingly interested in the story behind what they buy, it feels especially meaningful to connect them with artisans whose creativity, heritage and craftsmanship bring their products to life.”
Fellows to be Featured on Anthropologie.com
Atiwo Designs’ line of African-inspired handmade jewelry on display at a Seattle pop-up. (Image courtesy Anthropologie)
Last year’s fellows and their handmade product lines can still be explored on the Nest Digital Marketplace on Anthropologie.com. The new cohort of fellows will be announced in early 2027 in tandem with their debut on the marketplace. In the lead-up to the unveiling, each fellow will receive several months of training and one-on-one mentorship to help prepare them to bring their brands to the digital marketplace.
“The Anthropologie x Nest fellowship program is designed specifically to give artisans both the educational resources and market access they need to scale their business,” said Haldy. “At its core, our goal is to provide artisans with tools and opportunity to build their businesses and expand the reach of their craftsmanship.”
Applications to become a 2026 fellow are open to members of the Nest Guild through March 16. After careful review, top applicants will be invited to participate in a series of interviews. “This allows us to better understand their individual businesses, creative vision and how they believe the fellowship program could meaningfully support their growth,” explained Haldy. “Ultimately, we’re looking for artisans whose craftsmanship and perspective bring something truly unique, and whose businesses would benefit from mentorship, resources and broader market exposure.”
The Goal: Empowering Women Makers and Entrepreneurs
To further amplify the impact of the partnership during Women’s History Month, Anthropologie stores will host a round-up at checkout program across all North American stores throughout the month of March, inviting customers to round up their purchase to directly benefit Nest. Earlier this month, Anthropologie also hosted an International Women’s Day Workshop at its SoHo store in New York City that featured an after-hours, hands-on workshop led by a Nest artisan, Brooklyn-based Framed Florals.
“Launching the program during Women’s History Month is both intentional and meaningful, as empowering women makers and creative entrepreneurs aligns closely with Anthropologie’s values,” said Haldy. “It’s a moment to celebrate their craft, spotlight incredible talent and support the continued growth of their businesses.
“One of the most meaningful outcomes from the first year of our fellowship program was the strong sense of community that formed among the artists,” Haldy added. “Through both in-person and virtual programming, the cohort built lasting relationships while also gaining access to the Anthropologie team. Fellows engaged with leaders across our business — from concept ideation, logistical planning, creative execution and marketing — gaining insight into how our brand is able to bring artisan products to market. They also learned the power of real-time feedback, seeing customer insights and performance firsthand.”
