the Gap hires a new designer...

[Fashion Puss]

you get what you pay for... ...imo

Exactly, I've still got things from Gap I bought 8 years ago and they're still going.

 

[Kimkhuu]

Imagine if Gap would stop hiring poor East African children to make their second-rate clothes for a quid a day. Now THAT would make me actually buy from the Gap again.

Totally agree with you Fouroclock!!

 

[CharlottefromCA]

I just buy my basics there anyway... they have really cheap plain t-shirts...

 

[susie_bubble]

I think Gap confused ppl by going a bit 'trendy' these past few years. And if they return to concentrating on the basics, they can no longer compete with what's on the market.
I personally buy my basics from Uniqlo and Muji where the quality is better, and the design more desirable.

 

[flyboy008]

Yeap, I think Pina and Emma Hill got fired..........
Well, its time for a change anyway, the clothes, bags, the atmosphere in the store were no energy.........
Gap is all based on numbers, if stuff dont sell, you are not doing a good job! Thats how they judge it!
Not like Lanvin, balenciaga and others........even they are losing $$$$$$$ every year, but they have very nice image and press, thats all it matter for them!
But eventually dont have both press and numbers, of course you will get let go!!
I personally think, if you are a good designer, you have to understand both artistic (original) and bussiness sides, it has to be well balance. I am a designer of myself, I really understand this aspect!!!

 

[softgrey]

I personally buy my basics from Uniqlo and Muji where the quality is better, and the design more desirable.

we don't have either of those in the US...
what is uniglo please?...

 

[susie_bubble]

UNIQLO is a Japanese casual wear company that has branches all over London and Japan. The quality is excellent and it's SUPER cheap. Great denim collection and cheap cashmere too. I hear they're expanding to the USA as well, with a branch in New Jersey.
Check out the US site: http://www.uniqlo-usa.com/
The UK site has an overview of their collection.
http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/

 

[Meg]

i don't think uniqlo is that great....but i think there is a shop in/around picadilly circus right by a ripoff handbag emporium and i always associate uniqlo with that.

Anyway flyboy, I disagree. Lanvin, Balenciaga are all about the numbers. Everyone in the fashion world is. But i do think it was time for a change at gap....it was getting a bit stale and trying too hard to be trendy. They do have good things sometimes though....i think it's difficult to tell where their market is. Its definately 'american' classics and basics...but some of their 'trendy' stuff sold quite well as well....so...time will tell I suppose

 

[Alejandro]

Well Gap has to cater to this certain american crowd. On the menswear side, they can't go too crazy on kicking it up a notch, a la Dior Homme... sadly most american men wont wear anything too fantastic looking like that. Give them a tie, give them a simple button down shirt, Khakis, and they're good to go. No fuss. For women, well, the designs and prices are too high for the customers they're catering, the american woman that goes to work, has to take care of her kids, and do all that mommy stuff, ain't gonna wear an Oscar de la renta inspired poofy skirt that's worth $100. That's why they're losing sales, cause it's only a small amount of people that are buying from them, those that likes the similarity to the runway, and can't afford the runway prices, those who understand fashion and how to be smart about it. The kind that just grabs the outfit on the mannequin and buys boat neck sweaters for $19.99 are not that happy about what's in stores now.

 

[softgrey]

very interesting...thanks for the links and the info susie...

 

[em 692]

Originally Posted by Fashion Puss:
Exactly, I've still got things from Gap I bought 8 years ago and they're still going.

This surprises me... I've bought a couple of tee shirts from here but after putting them in the was just once they got warped. Maybe there's something wrong with my washing machine

American style is not exactly desirable, anyway, is it? If they're going for a new look, why would they choose something so bland?

 

[dsq]

GAP clothes in general are of average style and quality, so it's not too bad when you pick up their items when they go on sale or on clearance. i like going there when they have sales

 

[fashionista-ta]

if you read between the lines, it's pretty clear that she was let go...
but i have no info...

ta-ta...a couple of years ago when the dsgnr came over from marc jacobs...
they made kind of a thing about it...
at least they di within the industry...
i thought it was pretty common knowledge actually....
especially since she had been designing the mj bags and was now designing bags for the GAP... ...
i remember everyone in nyc ran out to buy a bag from the gap at that point...

Goodness ... I must have been focused on something else that day ... I am still waiting for the lightbulb to come on so I can understand the appeal of MJ bags I do like the new watch line ... only thing I still do like following the massive SS 06 disappointments ...

I would never call the Gap overpriced ... my issue with them is that their clothes (with the exception of Gap Body, I can and do buy stuff there) don't work for my body ... they are more for a girl's body. And that's fine ... have just learned that setting foot in there is a waste of my time. Far better off at Ann Taylor Loft ...

 

[softgrey]

drove by an ann taylor loft today and saw some cute stuff in the window actually...

why don't we have a thread on them?...
i think we need to start one in shop til you drop...

 

[Fashion Puss]

American style is not exactly desirable, anyway, is it? If they're going for a new look, why would they choose something so bland?

Maybe its not that its bland, its because its 'safe'. Gap clothes are pretty easy to wear are they not?

 

[Pastry]

It's good you posted this softgrey. I've been wondering what was going on with the GAP lately.

Don't know if any of you have noticed, but there has been bad lack of 'style' at that store for the last two seasons.

When they made a fuss about the new creative director they had a reason. She really revivified the clothes. This spring, they got boring, and now they are back to really boring.

 

[ameliao5o]

GaP

Well i happen not to shop at gap because for me I'm an XS or a S top and some of their sweaters and shirts fit but for my the arms arent long enough dont fit me as well as i'd like them to really but their are good infact for long jeans but some of their stuff is just too casual for my taste and if they do infact go back to their logo tee's and sweatshirts then i probably wont shop there. I really do not like some of their handbags and accesories too tho

 

[smartarse]

True.... but Banana REpublic is the high end , while Gap is the lower end.

Yeah, Gap's prices rival Banana Republic, which makes sense, they are from the same company. I prefer Old Navy, cheaper, just with the same quality.

 

[softgrey]

i agree with pastry...

 

[adorefaith]

i'm interested to see what they come up with.....
there was some 'life' at gap for a while there....and then you're right....it died....
everything became so bland and uninspired.....
it was painful to go in there and actually see unattractive clothing.....

i hope they can revive the look....
i have found some great little things at gap over the years....
lets wait and see........

thanks for posting soft...
cool to hear everyone's different takes on it....