New designer tries to fill the Gap
If you haven't noticed already, that the Gap is looking a little better than it normally does, dare we say the Gap has gone beyond beige!?
The company that has been designing duds for yuppies for years has new designer Patrick Robinson to thank.
As the new Vice President of Design for Gap and GayBody, Robinson has designed for men and women, as well as accessories, in the past. In 1996, he was named one of Vogue's raising stars to watch.
Robinson has a pretty good resume backing him up with previous employers such as Giorgio Armani, Target, Anne Klein and Perry Ellis. He said he jumped at the chance to work for Gap (who wouldn't).
“Everyone has Gap in their wardrobe,” the designer was quoted as saying.
Robinson has been busy working away giving the multi-million dollar brand a facelift. He said he has been perfecting the back pockets on women's jeans because he believes, “the pockets should really grab you, so when you turn in the mirror, it's the first thing you see.”
He has put in strong opinions out there and wants people to start layering and experimenting more. You may have seen in recent magazine advertisements or window displays that feature two plaids worn together and double-cardigans blazers over jean jackets.
Robinson clearly wants Gap customers to play with portions and textures and to ‘own' their own look. He seems to have tried to take the stiff upper lip out of the Gap and revitalized it.
By designing such pieces as lower v-necks, pull on skirts and edgy statement scarves and hats, the new collection lets consumers choose their own style, while still embracing the labels iconic muted tones.
Most people will admit that Gap used to be “the” brand to buy ten years ago, but the brand has come a long way since the oversized fleece hoodie that was on everyone's back in the ‘90s.
Can Robinson give the Gap what it needs to stay afloat in a saggy economy? Or will the brand fall behind, like similar brands who try to push you too much outside of your own consumer box?
I believe the new edgy designs have knocked a few years off their target market. Instead of the previous market of 18-45 the Gap used to please, it seems they are trying to attract the sought-after 16-30 consumers.
Either way, Gap just got a whole lot interesting and getting people curious again in a brand is a good start to get back on top.
The company that has been designing duds for yuppies for years has new designer Patrick Robinson to thank.
As the new Vice President of Design for Gap and GayBody, Robinson has designed for men and women, as well as accessories, in the past. In 1996, he was named one of Vogue's raising stars to watch.
Robinson has a pretty good resume backing him up with previous employers such as Giorgio Armani, Target, Anne Klein and Perry Ellis. He said he jumped at the chance to work for Gap (who wouldn't).
“Everyone has Gap in their wardrobe,” the designer was quoted as saying.
Robinson has been busy working away giving the multi-million dollar brand a facelift. He said he has been perfecting the back pockets on women's jeans because he believes, “the pockets should really grab you, so when you turn in the mirror, it's the first thing you see.”
He has put in strong opinions out there and wants people to start layering and experimenting more. You may have seen in recent magazine advertisements or window displays that feature two plaids worn together and double-cardigans blazers over jean jackets.
Robinson clearly wants Gap customers to play with portions and textures and to ‘own' their own look. He seems to have tried to take the stiff upper lip out of the Gap and revitalized it.
By designing such pieces as lower v-necks, pull on skirts and edgy statement scarves and hats, the new collection lets consumers choose their own style, while still embracing the labels iconic muted tones.
Most people will admit that Gap used to be “the” brand to buy ten years ago, but the brand has come a long way since the oversized fleece hoodie that was on everyone's back in the ‘90s.
Can Robinson give the Gap what it needs to stay afloat in a saggy economy? Or will the brand fall behind, like similar brands who try to push you too much outside of your own consumer box?
I believe the new edgy designs have knocked a few years off their target market. Instead of the previous market of 18-45 the Gap used to please, it seems they are trying to attract the sought-after 16-30 consumers.
Either way, Gap just got a whole lot interesting and getting people curious again in a brand is a good start to get back on top.
