The Strange World of Fashion Browser Themes, from Kate Spade to Tory Burch

Sprinkled about the cats and Minions and American flags and Halo and Porsche and multiple RIP Steve Jobs browser themes in the Chrome Web Store, not surprisingly, are extensions built by fashion brands. (How do you get one? Just click on that link, choose one you like, and hit INSTALL! Easy peasy.)

And why not? All brands love loyalty — and what’s more loyal than a brave customer literally giving the visual aspects of her web browser to a corporation?

So, how are they? Well, they’re… okay? Some are cool! But mostly, can you imagine the strategy meetings? What a nightmare. Marketers shouldn’t worry too much: people just love to get with their fave brands.

Some fashion themes are aggressive.

That’s Kate Spade and Jack Spade (sort of RIP), above. And Mark Ecko, weird jeans king, brings you a taste of the streets to your browsing experience.

Charlotte Ronson also brings you a touch of the urban, LOL.

Here’s what one user had to say about this theme:

Literally the most evocative thing I have read about any work of art this year!

Then there’s the girly-girly stuff.

That’s Oscar de la Renta (RIP for real), and here’s Tory Burch (gagging).

Like literally, who are you.

Let’s not forget Ella Moss, “modern bohemian clothing for women and girls.”

There’s some fun high-femme stuff though, a bit more arch than the post-Laura-Ashley brigade.

Like Sigerson Morrison, and Anna Sui.

So true, Sigerson Morrison browser theme enthusiast.

Props go to Dolce & Gabbana, who own the Chrome theme space with three popular themes.

The thing that most surprises me about fashion Chrome themes is that 1. Michael Kors, that thirsty thing, doesn’t have one and that 2. more brands don’t! Almost 200,000 people are using the leopard-print Dolce theme. It has almost 4000 reviews! What a magical arena for brand loyalty. Love you, Internet!