February 29, 2012 7:05 PM by Corey Lyons
You’re now free to catwalk-strut around the cabin … or something like that.
Just ahead of its “Mad Men” capsule collection, Banana Republic and Virgin America teamed up today on a unique (and pretty cool) in-flight experience: an in-flight, Live-Tweeted fashion show.
Check out the early coverage from haute flight #407 on the Huffington Post. For those of who’ve been, well, grounded while the show raged at 35,000 feet, follow the conversation at #BRMadLive.
February 28, 2012 2:51 PM by Erica Terry Derryck, Gap Inc.
We were seated in small groups of five and six at tables named after trailblazing and trendsetting women from Oprah Winfrey to Queen Latifah. The topic of discussion - "What it takes to succeed personally and professionally."
Several young women from Year Up and Summer Search (non-profits focused on youth empowerment, skills development, and mentoring) joined Gap Inc. employee mentors. A VP of Merchandising, Distribution Facility Director, and Banana Republic Senior Regional Director were among the volunteers who shared insight, enthusiasm and perspective in celebration of Black History Month.
Whether their disparate journeys brought them to Gap Inc. from ivy-covered Harvard yard or the savannas of Zimbabwe, each of the mentors agreed with Sylvette Sawyers, Senior Director of Human Resources that being authentic and true to themselves was essential to their success.
Over tater tots and sliders, these women listened to one another talk about starting new chapters in their lives from landing that first interview to learning English. The whole experience shows that you don’t need to make a big commitment to make a big difference. Both the mentees and mentors left the two-hour encounter inspired and renewed with takeaways like these from our mentors:
And my favorite is this nugget of good hand-me-down advice shared by one of the mentees: “Failing forward is still moving forward.”
February 27, 2012 2:19 PM by Danielle Samaniego
This comes as no surprise to my friends and family, but I’m here to tell you—I have a serious Threadless shirt addiction.
Since discovering the graphic T-shirt site through a friend, I have been building a steady collection of Threadless gems over the years that have catered to my inner pop-culture vulture. From my Spoilt shirt AND hoodie to the E.T. homage, it’s gotten to the point where many have said to me, “D, it’s time to step away from the Threadless…”
So imagine my joy (and the chagrin of my loved ones) when I learned that my two worlds were planning to “Make Great Together” this Spring. For me, the partnership between Gap and Threadless will basically insure that I will, in fact, not be stepping away from this habit any time soon.
Being able to shop for that perfect shirt and a pair of 1969 jeans in the same location and rock that style openly on the job? Sorry friends, my love will go on.
February 23, 2012 1:45 PM by Pam Wallack, EVP, Gap Global Creative Center
I stepped into a new role at Gap last year, launching the creative epicenter for our brand. In the early months of Gap’s Global Creative Center, we put the past behind us and focused on our bright future. We started cultivating an environment where creativity could flourish and moments of brilliance could be had.
But our creativity doesn’t just come from inside four walls. I’m constantly reminded that great inspiration comes from all over the world. Our Merchandising teams are shopping alongside customers in Paris. Our Designers are inspired by brilliantly colored textiles from around the world. Our 1969 teams are visiting fabric mills in their Los Angeles neighborhood to see the very latest denim textures and hand-feels. Even my morning train ride into Manhattan is full of great people-watching and ideas.
We are at our best when we’re experiencing the world and absorbing new perspectives and ideas. Then, we come back to our creative hub to inspire new Gap products.
Under Glenn’s direction, we’ve built on this “outside in” inspiration through the concept of Creative Advisors. Tracy Gardner came back to Gap in an advisory capacity and is already working side-by-side with our talented Design team to bring a fresh voice and perspective to the table. We recently announced that Liz Meltzer joins our global team as the SVP of Gap International Merchandising bringing 20 years experience across multiple countries and brands, including Banana Republic.
From the markets of Morocco to the subways of New York and new voices within our team, our inspiration fuels the optimistic and bright point of view that our customers want from us. We couldn’t be any more passionate about delivering casual, American style, and we’ll continue living outside our four walls to bring this to life.
February 21, 2012 4:26 PM by The Blog Squad
Weeding your way through racks of jean styles can give anyone the blues. Boot-cut? Skinny? Straight? Low-rise? Regular?
They all pretty much look the same so you grab a few, bring ‘em into the dressing room, and the frustration begins. One gives you a muffin top; another shows your bum. It’s too wide in the thighs, too small in the hips. How is it possible that humans have figured out how to split the atom, but we can’t find one perfect-fitting pair of jeans!
Well, at least it’s comforting to know we’re not the only ones who’ve suffered denim trauma: To help shoppers across the country solve their dungaree dilemmas, jean-fitting expert “Fitologists” will be atOld Navy stores this month. Finally, there's folks who know what style looks great on your body (besides Mom – who only thinks she does).
To kick-start your jean therapy, here’s a few Fitologist “Tips for Fits”:
Gals: What’s your body type?
1. If you have a smaller waist and fuller thighs, try the Sweetheart fit. It sits on the waist and looks great in Boot-Cut or Skinny.
2. For those with straighter waists and fuller thighs, check out the Flirt. It sits just below the waist in Boot-Cut, Super Skinny, and Trouser.
3. Straighter waist and slimmer thighs? Definitely try the sit-on-the-hip Diva style.
4. Hint: The Rockstar fit is super stretchy and looks great on all shapes.
Guys: How loose or fitted do you like it?
1. For a super-fitted look that sits just below the waist, check out the Slim Straight.
2. If you prefer an easy fit through the hip and thigh, try the Straight fit.
3. For more of a loose style that sits below the waist, check out the Loose fit.
February 21, 2012 10:52 AM by Heather Hopkins, Gap Inc. Canada
Bake cookies. Hit the slopes. Catch a free film. Visit Old Navy Funnovation Imaginarium event. Belly laugh. Mug for the camera. These are all the ways we are spending Family Day in Canada.
For our Gap Inc. family around the world - Family Day is the third Monday of February and observed as a statutory holiday in the three Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Family Day is still a relatively new holiday, but in just a few short years, Canadians have seen it grow from a quiet day off - like a bonus day off work and school for the whole family - to province-wide celebrations.
I spent Family Day weekend with my husband and 2 ½ year old son visiting good friends in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We came home just in time for more family fun and joined our Old Navy family at the Funnovation Imaginarium event at Queen’s Square store in Etobicoke. We celebrated with magic markers, a cookie bar, and a crazy catwalk… need I say more?
So in honor of Family Day the Canadian way, remember to give your family some extra love and fun too!
February 14, 2012 1:19 PM by The Blog Squad
On this Valentine’s Day, we invited our global communications team to come up with images that capture “Why we LOVE working at Gap Inc.”
From NY to SF to Canada and the UK... a bunch of photos came in that got us thinking… there’s a lot to love!
Check out our snapshots and share your “pins” with us on our new Pinterest page.
Want a “relationship?” We’re open to it - on Facebook and Twitter!
February 10, 2012 11:03 AM by Corey Lyons
It’s not often that you walk into a Banana Republic store and become, at least temporarily, overcome with a scent of fresh-cut blooms (did I just say that?).
But that’s one of the surprises for shoppers at the Grant Avenue store in San Francisco, where an archway by the front entrance introduces shoppers to SFMade, a pop-up shop-within-a-store to promote locally made cool stuff – from plantscapes (Lila B), handmade chocolates (Poco Dolce), skincare and bath products (Heliotrope) and luxury items for dogs (Blueblood).
On a personal level, I couldn’t take my eyes off the Poco Dolce bittersweet bar with peanut butter … not to get too specific on you.
SFMade, which opened this week, connects to us, too, because Doris and Don opened their first store in this fine city back in ’69 …
February 9, 2012 9:31 AM by Cacky Rhoades, Gap Inc. Social Shopping Advisor
New York Fashion Week is finally here!
As champions of American fashion for over forty years, we're looking forward to a successful week for our industry. This year, we’ll be tuning in with a fabulous “digitaltopia” of tools that gives the tech savvy and fashion obsessed front row seats from wherever we are with our devices.
Starting today, we’ll be able to watch nearly a third of the 200 shows live online. Mercedes Benz has partnered with YouTube to create the Live From the Runway channel that will livestream shows alongside interviews with designers and backstage footage.
Now, if you’re like me and won’t have time to watch them all, I recommend keeping an eye on the official Fashion Week 2012 Twitter feed - @MBFashionWeek - to get real-time updates and photos of the best of what’s walking down the runway. I also plan to check in with the newest social sharing phenomenon -Pinterest - to follow the pins from fashion powerhouse attendees, like Marie Claire’s Fashion Director and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia, to see what trends their spotting on and off the catwalk.
Need more ideas on how to stay connected? Mashable recently shared some other good Twitter handles, Instagram gallerinas, and Facebook pages for us to follow and help geek-chic, invitation-less, fashion lovers – like myself - get a glimpse. Oh, and be sure to follow Gap Inc. on Facebook and Twitter to get updates from our brands’ exclusive Fall 2012 preview events that we’re hosting later this spring.
So, tell us. How are you going to stay connected to NYFW 2012? Invitation? Or digitalivation?
February 8, 2012 11:10 AM by The Blog Squad
It's pretty awe-inspiring living and working in such close proximity to Silicon Valley’s most innovative tech start-ups. And I'm sure innovation and creativity breeds the same energy in pockets all over the globe.
Thanks to a recent NYT article, we now have a glimpse into what really gives those creative entrepreneurs a leg up: Socks!
But we’re not talking just any old sole covering threads. From classically cool stripes, polka dots, and geometric patterns to flamboyantly-colorful footwork, we finally get where those geeky computer guys have been hiding their fashion flair.
Whether punching up California casual sweats or the obligatory seal-the-deal suits, screamy socks (think: hot pink, red and purple, or even ones that say “bacon”) have been spotted on execs from Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, just to name a few. And the techies dig showing off their artful ankles – through social media, of course. Pretty sure this could be a global phenomenon.
So I guess that’s the secret sauce: A little shot of style and you’ve got the world at your feet.
February 3, 2012 12:07 PM by Danielle Samaniego
It’s pretty safe to say that I’m about to get my inner Joan Holloway on this Spring.
As if I weren’t excited enough for the LONG-awaited return of AMC’s “Mad Men”, Banana Republic went ahead and re-partnered with Costume Designer Janie Bryant on a new capsule collection for Spring.
All those bright polos, graphic floral blouses and chic cropped capris—the collection is the perfect way to usher in the new seasons—Spring and Season 5, that is.
Last year’s collection provided some comfort during those months without the stunningly stylish office mates of Sterling, Cooper, Draper and Pryce to admire. But being able to embrace a modern ‘60s frock while discussing the latest indiscretions of Don Draper and his associates—now that’s classy.
But don’t just take my word for it—check out a preview of the new line now at The Republic blog.
February 2, 2012 2:05 PM by Jed Smith, Athleta
I’ve just returned from Belize. We’d been shooting our summer catalog for Athleta – an adventurous and inspiring experience. By the time I’d arrived, our photo crew had already been shooting for eight days. They've accomplished some spectacular work.
Many of our locations were breathtaking. The natural colors and textures provided great backdrops for a good portion of our summer marketing imagery.
These shoots often mix the planned versus the unplanned, which is why you see some candid shots in this blog. Before one location shoot, for example, everyone visited the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. The team shared with me the experience of being in the ruins, in the early morning with fog with mist all around, and a sense of solemnity.
Later, we shot at a bay where there was a pristine beach and brightly colored Caribbean houses. There was also a restaurant and scuba diving shop, out over the water. With our Athleta “gal” doing some slack lining between two palm trees (she's getting to be quite the pro at this), and our other athlete/model did some amazing yoga poses on the dock, including a triangle pose and a head stand.
One day, because of bad weather, we went for Plan B: shooting around our hotel. Our first athlete started the day doing lots and lots of drills on the beach (as well as drills on, and hanging from, a palm tree).
Just before lunch, our other Athleta woman did a flawlessly executed crow pose in the middle of the hotel dock. Amazing balance and strength.I am reminded why I am so lucky in my job at Athleta - being inspired daily by such strength!
At the end of the trip, we shot from a sandbar, about 10-feet wide at its widest. The water was so shallow, on both sides, that it looked as if we were walking on water.
As we wrapped up the last day, I thought of the massive amounts of beautiful photography we’d shot—and work to do. But these images are so inspiring to me, showing a woman’s journey of strength and empowerment. I hope you agree.
This is the place to get to know Gap Inc. and our brands a little better. Get in on the conversation -- we'd like to know you, too!
