Anthropologie Is Selling A $2,200 Rickshaw (PHOTOS)

Twee fashion retailer Anthropologie usually shills paisley scarves, ethereal blouses and outrageously priced scented candles. But when we saw their latest offering, we had even more sticker shock than usual.

This green and red rickshaw that Gothamist spied seems to have been made with the Brooklyn crowd in mind and is retailing for a cool $2,200.

The rickshaw, which comes complete with batik designs and Hindi lettering, was inspired by some of the staff's visit to India, where thousands of people peddle pedestrians through traffic in the vehicles.

Reads the product description:

While on a trip to India, some of our team flagged down a rickshaw for a spur-of-the-moment tour of the town. Inspired by the ride and feeling a bit whimsical, we decided to design our own set of wheels, with some very special touches like a collapsible kantha-fabric canopy, handlebar streamers, a bell for brrring-bringing on the bike path and even a headlight that illuminates when the pedals are cranked. An instant conversation starter on the road or on display, we'll bet you're whisked away on the adventure of a lifetime once you hop on - or into - our quixotic carriage. No two are exactly alike.

Actually, shipping for your very own rickshaw costs an extra $300, so make that $2500 if you want to pedal around Williamsburg in style. We're not sure about this concept, though: Not only is it crazy expensive, but it also seems a little iffy to us to drop tons of cash on a corporate-fancified vehicle that many impoverished people in the developing world rely on to scrap together income.

Scroll down for more photos. Would you shell out for your own rickshaw?

Comments

[J P McMahon]

03:32 PM on 11/03/2011

Feanor, You are correct. The pedicab industry standard Old Towne built in Colorado runs for over 5 grand for their top of the line model. NYC, DC, Charleston SC, Denver, and loads of beach and resort communities have thousands of them on the road/boardwalk at any given time. The problem with pedicabs is that if you have even the slightest grade you have to ride up at any point during your trip, FORGET IT! Also, a surprising number of people will not ride in the back of a rickshaw because they feel it is demeaning to the driver, even if he or she owns the thing and enjoys riding it. This is one of the reasons they are being replaced all over SW Asia with motorized vehicles.

[An Independent Woman]

11:23 AM on 11/03/2011

I like it. I'd like it more if Jamie Dimon was pedalling me around...working up a good sweat and a wicked thirst. But that's just me.....

[pinkindie]

07:24 PM on 11/03/2011

The CEO of Chase?? LOL Surely you mean Jamie Durie -- yum yum

[An Independent Woman]

08:22 PM on 11/03/2011

The CEO of JP Morgan Chase is Jamie Dimon. I don't know who Jamie Durie is. If your response was supposed to be a joke.....whooooosh... it went right over my head.

[Scobes]

09:35 AM on 11/03/2011

It's pretty and quirky looking.

But um, really weird. Why would anyone think a Western corporate re-imagining of something people actually use and rely on around the world was a good idea?

[Kali03]

09:42 AM on 11/03/2011

Do you remember when the Rodarte sisters did a collaboration with MAC? And they did a nail polish color titled "Juarez" and another in the collection titled "Factory"?

They were surprised and dismayed at the backlash, too.

[GracieGiraffe]

08:41 AM on 11/03/2011

I actually like it. It's quirky.

I have a question. Are the colors authentic? Perhaps they are, but at first glance, it looks like the colors of Florida retirement home decor.

[Scobes]

09:34 AM on 11/03/2011

Not authentic.

[Feanor]

12:18 AM on 11/03/2011

I think the authors of this article should check out the price of a bicycle of comparable quality. This price is not out of line.

[SlowBurn]

10:04 PM on 11/02/2011

I've thought this many times, but never actually said it... WTF Anthropologie? Who are you people?