SAN FRANCISCO – April 6, 2009 – With a classic Gap t-shirt as their canvas, today Gap revealed new designs from nine contemporary artists as part of its (PRODUCT)RED Artist Edition T-Shirts. The artists, handpicked by Gap to create the limited-edition summer T-shirt collection, include Si Scott, Andy Davis, Jess Rotter, Mike Perry, Steve Wilson, Yuko Shimizu, Hiroshi Tanabe, StatAttak and Supermundane. The new (PRODUCT)RED collection builds upon Gap’s nearly three year relationship with (RED)™ and is designed to help generate additional funds for the Global Fund’s live-saving efforts in Africa.
Starting today, these exclusive designs [$28] are available at Gap stores nationwide, with select styles available online at gap.com. In partnership with (PRODUCT)RED™, 50 percent of the gross profits from the sale of Gap’s (PRODUCT)RED™ Artist Edition T-Shirts will benefit the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.
“We strongly believe in what (PRODUCT)RED™ stands for,” said Ivy Ross, executive vice president, Gap Marketing. “We love collaborations that bring together iconic Gap favorites – in this case, the t-shirt – with talented and creative artists. Not only are these exclusive t-shirts designed by a remarkable group of artists, they give our customers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people impacted by HIV and AIDS in Africa.”
Meet the Artists:
The artists come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from photographers and illustrators, to graphic designers and painters.
Si Scott, a graphic designer from the UK, is known for his characteristic style that takes modern typographic messages and bursts them open to reveal lovingly hand-inked swirling shapes. Available 5/4 in men’s and women’s styles
Andy Davis knew from an early age he wanted to surf and draw. He describes his original, colorful artwork as loose, dreamy and fun. Available 5/4 in men’s styles
Jess Rotter,a Long Island-native, studied painting at Syracuse University. Her art is a pure mix of music and fashion with hand-drawn, wickedly whimsical prints that pay homage to vintage music heroes. Available 4/6 in women’s styles
Mike Perry works on books, magazines, newspapers, clothing and drawings. Working in Brooklyn, NY, Mike creates new typefaces and graphics by “generating piles,” which he says are the sincerest form of the creative process. Available 4/6 in men’s styles
Steve Wilson, a Brighton-based illustrator, harnesses the spontaneity of pen, pencil, collage and digital mediums to create art that’s as eclectic as his influences – which include circus imagery, tribal art and ‘70s rock posters. Available 4/6 in men’s styles
Yuko Shimizu is an illustrator who is influenced by having lived in both Tokyo and New York. Her work plays with and challenges Western stereotypes of Asian women. Available 5/4 in men’s and women’s styles
Hiroshi Tanabe, an illustrator with a degree from Tama Art College in Tokyo, is known for his distinguished illustrations that emulate the clean lines of traditional Japanese woodcuts. Available 4/6 in women’s styles
StatAttak is designed by Thomas Brodahl, a graphic designer from Bergen, Norway, who launched his career with his visionary web creations. His designs are rooted in his belief that reason, imagination and communication are keys to the human process. Available 4/6 in men’s styles
Supermundane is the pseudonym of Rob Lowe, a London-based graphic artist. His work depicts a world of hope, optimism, melancholy and beauty. Available 4/6 in women’s styles
Earlier this year, Gap launched its first (PRODUCT)RED™ Artist Edition T-Shirts collection, featuring works from seven up-and-coming artists including Richard Giglio, Bodie Chewning, Matt Owens, Andriano Moraes, Michael Johnson, Debra Ziss and DEEPA by Brian Burnside.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta brand names. Fiscal 2008 sales were $14.5 billion. Gap Inc. operates more than 3,100 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan and Ireland. In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit gapinc.com.
About (RED)TM and (PRODUCT)RED™
(RED)’s primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Companies whose products take on the (PRODUCT)RED mark contribute a significant percentage of the sales or portion of the profits from that product to the Global Fund to finance AIDS programs in Africa, with an emphasis on the health of women and children. Current partners are: American Express (U.K. only), Apple, Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark, Dell, Windows and Starbucks. Since its launch in the Spring of 2006, more than $125 million has been generated by (RED) for the Global Fund. (RED) money is at work in Swaziland, Rwanda, Ghana and Lesotho. For more information, visit http://www.joinred.com/
About The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become the dominant financer of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with approved funding of US $15 billion for programs in 140 countries. The Global Fund supports programs based on agreed performance targets and disburses money in response to proven results. At the end of 2008, programs supported by the Global Fund have averted more than 3.5 million deaths by providing AIDS treatment for 2 million people, TB treatment for 4.6 million people, and by the distribution of 70 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria worldwide. For more information visit www.theglobalfund.org.
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