Claiming he has the “greatest job in the world,” Keith Johnson invites viewers along on an international treasure hunt on the Sundance Channel original series, MAN SHOPS GLOBE. In out-of-the-way antique shops, private dealerships and craft stalls, Johnson looks for one-of-a-kind home furnishings and accessories.
In each half-hour program, Keith Johnson travels to a new country in search of fantastic and unusual decorative objects, furniture, and textiles. He also seeks out the world’s best artists and crafts people. MAN SHOPS GLOBE follows Johnson, who travels six months of the year, to ends-of-the-earth excursions, from flea markets in Paris to remote villages in India and obscure art studios in Turkey.
Episode 1 – SWEDEN
With the mission to prepare the first gallery show in Anthropologies’ London store, Keith sets out to Sweden in search of modern ceramics. From Stockholm’s art galleries to Varmland’s craft shops, Keith is on the lookout for the perfect piece to feature in the debut showcase.
Episode 2 – SCOTLAND
Determined to help a local dog rescue shelter, Keith plans to host a charity auction featuring dog-related items. Lured by the majestic castles and famous whiskey distilleries, Keith and his agent John Finlayson travel to Scotland on the hunt for an item that is sure to attract the highest bidder.
Episode 3 – THAILAND
In order to refresh one of Anthropologies’ most popular lines of quilts, Keith journeys with designer David Earp to Thailand to seek out new textiles. Even with the help of local guide, Jean-Charles, will the sprawling street markets and exotic galleries of Bangkok and Chiang Mai prove to be too overwhelming?
Episode 4 – AUSTRALIA
Having never explored Down Under, Keith enlists the support of popular Australian stylist Sibella Court and Designer Fleur Wood to lead him in his search for artists in the Sydney area who he can showcase back in Anthropologies’ Rockefeller Center gallery.
Episode 5 – CYPRUS
Keith offers to lend his dear friend Helen a hand with her cookbook pitch, an offer which takes him from the office of a Manhattan publishing company to Helen’s native Cyprus. Inspired by the island’s ancient history and traditions, they tour through villages and meet local artisans capturing Cypriot design and flavor to win over the book publisher.
Episode 6 – ITALY
Keith kindly offers Savannah College of Art and Design student, Rebecca, a trip to Italy where she can learn from the masters of style how to find and create work that will sell. Guided by department store maestro Vittorio Radice, they ride through the canals of Venice, tour the renowned Alessi factory and break bread in Milan while teaching Rebecca valuable lessons along the way.
Episode 7 – SYRIA
Excited by Syrian inlaid furniture, Keith and his fashion designer friend Anna Sui jump at the chance to explore the untapped markets of Damascus and Aleppo. Can their novice guide, Manaf, steer them to artists with unique items and the resources to fill orders or will Anthropology steer clear from Syria?
Episode 8 – MEXICO
Keith and his White House decorator friend Michael Smith fly south of the border to shop for unique ironwork. Their local guide Leticia directs their shopping trip through historic San Miguel and bustling Mexico City, but will they find ironwork that works for them?