Patrick Robinson Dismissed at Gap

[mikeijames]

I think the problem goes beyond Patrick Robinson. My guess is that if he was given free reign the Gap would have gone a lot more 'cutting edge' or 'trendy', but Gap higher-ups were trying to please 2 different people: those who want "quality basics" and those who want cheap and on-trend pieces. Gap ultimately failed to do both.

They really need to follow J. Crew's lead in my opinion - producing a lot of basics at quite reasonable prices, and then doing more trend-lead pieces that are more expensive and more interesting.

I think Gap needs to decide who it wants to be and commit to that.

while i agree with this sentiment, the gap remains quite the player in fashion circles even as it has this identity crisis. it has the resources to command attention no matter how critically one looks on their latest efforts. the gap needs a creative director like reed krakoff who can reinvigorate the classics -- the heather grey tee, the flat-front khaki pant, et al -- and build on that legacy in a world where other major retailers of their ilk have managed to translate fast fashion to swift sales.

it can do this in a way that does not impede the progress of its trend-focused store, banana republic, nor its buy-in-bulk retailer, old navy.

 

[Meg]

But they have 're-invented' the khaki this season - it comes in a couple of different colors, is cute, etc. I just think the problems run deeper than the Creative Director - because who knows? Maybe Patrick Robinson wanted to do those things, but was stopped from doing so by others. Or maybe he was the problem. But given the way things have been going at the Gap, I can't believe he is the only issue.

 

[kimair]

one of the best things that gap did while patrick was there was revamp the denim line...
they were losing alot of market share to higher end lines (7FAM, citizens, jbrand, etc), and really the heart of gap's heritage is denim...
the 1969 line has been very, very successful...
but people want cool things to wear with their denim, and i don't think they've figured out what that is (as meg's stated)...

imo the problem goes beyond patrick...there is a definite identity crisis as to who gap is and who they want their customer to be...
i also am not sure bringing in a "high fashion" designer is the right move for a mass market retailer...
a perfect example is lisa axelson, who was previously with club monaco (and gap), who has revamped ann taylor to be more modern and fresh while not alienating current customers...

 

[tboy34]

I often wonder what is the REAL reasoning behind this? I was under the impression that he was doing ok there. I guess not, and I wonder who will come next.

 

[tboy34]

one of the best things that gap did while patrick was there was revamp the denim line...
they were losing alot of market share to higher end lines (7FAM, citizens, jbrand, etc), and really the heart of gap's heritage is denim...
the 1969 line has been very, very successful...
but people want cool things to wear with their denim, and i don't think they've figured out what that is (as meg's stated)...

imo the problem goes beyond patrick...there is a definite identity crisis as to who gap is and who they want their customer to be...
i also am not sure bringing in a "high fashion" designer is the right move for a mass market retailer...
a perfect example is lisa axelson, who was previously with club monaco (and gap), who has revamped ann taylor to be more modern and fresh while not alienating current customers...

I really agree with you on the denim aspect and not finding other cool things to wear with them.