aDressed

Banana Republic’s Simon Kneen: My Foundation in Design

2013-06-12T16:27:22Z

Simon Kneen is Creative Director and Executive Vice President of Design at Banana Republic. He recently returned to the U.K. to receive a Doctor of Arts honoris causa from his alma mater, Kingston University of London, in recognition of his 30-year commitment and success in the fashion and design industry. Simon reflects here on his time as a design student at Kingston and what he means by “giving through design.”

As I walked around the campus of Kingston University, the feelings of excitement, intrigue and hope about what the fashion industry could be to me returned, and filled my body with energy.

First, to ground you in where the fashion world was at time I was a university student – there was no web, no blogs, no laptops and believe it or not, not even a fax machine. Apart from the very few magazines, there was nothing available about Fashion other than its history. At Kingston, we were all hungry, actually starving for information that really didn't exist.

We knew about Saint-Laurent, Dior, but if we wanted to know about the newest design icons of the day like Kenzo, Claude Montana and Thierry Mugler, we had to travel from London to Paris where we would stay in the flea-bitten hotels, and beg, steal and borrow to get into any of the Paris fashion week shows to see the latest in design. That hunger and curiosity for information stays with me today and my obsessive sense of discovery keeps me perpetually in motion, always looking forward.

During that time, fashion was never so alive, exciting – and changing. Designers were not only creating amazing clothes on the runway but creating Lifestyle brands off the runway through fabulous stores that reflected the “life to live” in the clothes they were designing. This changed retail and how designers were thinking of design.

For me, it changed my perspective on the fashion industry. I will never forget the excitement that I felt in this period as I witnessed the frontiers of fashion fall away, and the sky opening up to endless opportunities for designers like me to give people more than just beautiful clothes.

I am lucky to say that this world of fashion has naturally become my professional home. Here my job reaches beyond just creating clothes and accessories. As Creative Director of Banana Republic, I can reach the lives of many by bringing quality, style and hopefully something that will make their lives a little better.

I am often asked about my so-called success, my design mantra and what inspires me. For me, it has never been about an ambitious master plan toward success, or designing everything perpetually under a singular rigorous aesthetic note until you get it right or understood. I have simply followed an instinctive impulse to give. Design is really about another art form all-together – the Art of Giving.

I believe that that road toward something really good, or dare I say great, is that all design – not just Fashion design – is well beyond creativity and innovation, art and culture and doing all-nighters to get your project done on time. I really believe that you have to give generously through your design the very best of what you can invent. You have to believe that everything you do is going to make the world – maybe in some very small way – a better place to be.

Photo courtesy of Christina Lilly Photography

The Don Fisher Clubhouse: Our commitment to youth

2013-06-04T16:39:49Z

Editor’s Note: Rob Connolly, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, spoke to Gap Inc. employees recently to help announce the dedication of a new Clubhouse to Gap Inc. co-founder Don Fisher. Below is a portion of his speech.

Over six years, I had the good fortune to really get to know Don Fisher, and enjoyed my time with him tremendously. He understood the importance of being a leader in his community.

I can’t tell you exactly what it was about at-risk youth that motivated Don but it was certainly more than just providing them a safe place to go after school. I suspect what motivated him was the pure frustration of watching human potential wasted. Don understood “value”, we all know that, but I love the fact that he saw significant value in children who others were very willing to write off and, too often, happy to forget.

Don was just 36 years old when he got involved with our organization.

More remarkable than his early start was the fact that Don, a prominent American and international business icon, remained on the local Boys & Girls Club board until the end of his life.

He had a keen understanding that his involvement brought prominence and credibility to our organization, the field of youth development, and the cause of supporting at-risk youth. This was very important to us.

His longevity as a volunteer for the Club also displayed that he understood the importance of committing to a cause and an organization long-term.

Years ago, I talked to Don about naming a Clubhouse after him. He liked the idea but was too modest to fully embrace it.

After talking with his sons over the past 18 months --- and clearing it with Doris --- we decided it was the right time to honor Don for both his commitment to at-risk youth and his dedication to service and philanthropy.

The future Don Fisher Clubhouse will change the lives of thousands of young people. We could not be more excited to partner with Gap Inc. and Gap Foundation to make this important project a reality. I truly believe it would have made Don proud to know we’re continuing his good work and making his beloved hometown a better place for generations of young people.

Gap Inc. and Gap Foundation are collectively donating $1 million, comprised of employee donations, corporate matching dollars, and a Gap Foundation grant.

Getting and keeping a job: ‘This Way Ahead’ expands to Boston

2013-05-30T16:17:20Z

Raised in Boston, in a large family where money was tight and resources few, Karen Losi credits the Gap job she landed at age 16 as a life-changer.

So it was a no-brainer when she was offered the opportunity to volunteer and help launch Gap Inc.’s signature youth mentoring program, This Way Ahead, in Boston.

“I jumped at the chance,” said Karen, a 15-year employee and Gap general manager in Burlington, MA. “I was lucky to find Gap early on. It shaped me.”

Karen is one of eight Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic employee volunteers who are leading Gap Foundation’s job readiness program for 35 Boston-area underserved teens.

In March, the program began in Boston, in a partnership between Cambridge Housing Authority, Gap Foundation and Gap and Old Navy stores. (The program already exists in New York City and San Francisco).

In weekly classes, the Boston youth, 16 to 18 years old, are coached in what it takes to get and keep a job. Sessions include topics like interviewing skills, goal setting and conflict resolution.

And from the 35 current enrollees, a dozen or so will be hand-picked for highly coveted, paid internships within the stores.

“These kids need these jobs. They want these jobs,” Karen said. “Some are making money for their families, and some are paying their way through school.”

One graduate of the San Francisco program affirmed its value.

“When I was first involved with them, I was very shy – I wouldn’t even take my jacket off,” said Old Navy employee Nelson Campos, 19. “I didn’t know anything about the workplace – what rules to follow. This Way Ahead really opened my eyes.”

More than 1,000 youth have participated in This Way Ahead since its inception. Of those who interned, 75 percent have been offered permanent part-time jobs.

Gap Inc. plans to expand This Way Ahead to two additional cities, for a total of five, by 2015.

We Are Committed: A new Gap Inc. website

2013-05-19T21:15:32Z

We know that many of you have questions or concerns about our work in Bangladesh and work that Gap Inc. does around the world. While we didn’t operate in the building that tragically collapsed in Bangladesh last month, we’re committed to worker safety and understand the urgency to make lasting, meaningful change.

To help answer your questions and have the chance to hear from you, we’ve launched a new website, WeAreCommitted.com. There, you can find information and updates on our work with Bangladesh, as well as the other communities where we live and work, and you can share your thoughts with us, as well as ask questions.

Thanks for your interest – we look forward to hearing from you.

How these students changed my life

2013-04-30T19:32:40Z

In honor of National Volunteer Month, we are highlighting employees that lead volunteering for their store or team, and the partnerships they have formed with local organizations to create change in their community.

This is the second of two volunteer-focused posts.

Standing outside of Notasulga High School in Notasulga, Alabama, all you see is an old, run-down school building.

It runs on a minuscule operating budget, barely able to afford the basic necessities. With these financial struggles, students must have fundraisers to finance after-school activities and sports.

I was first introduced to the school when a private donor came into the Gap looking to buy school uniforms. Our store, in Auburn, reached out to our district and found the 300-plus items the kids needed. And when I walked into the school for the first time to distribute the uniforms, my life was forever changed.

I met the most amazing children who, despite their circumstances and hardships, had a passion for learning and true love for their school. I decided then and there that I would make it my mission to positively impact their lives.

I returned to my store, shared the story, and with the help of my coworkers, our community partnership began.

For our first event, we collected school supplies during our fall Friends and Family event. Our Gap Auburn family, customers and employees collected more than 20 boxes filled with backpacks, pens, paper, and supplies. The children and teachers were so grateful for the donation that they organized an entire school program around it. (Click here to see video of a student-led rap song thanking Gap.)

Since then, we’ve started a clothing closet, held a fashion show with donations benefitting the school (the photo above features the show models), collected boxtops, and adopted 18 children for Christmas.

We have started a volunteer website and are promoting it on the local university campus. Our largest event to date will take place in August when we host a citywide event to collect back to school supplies accompanied by a fundraiser ball.

Every time we walk through the halls, we hear, “thank you, Gap” from every student we pass.

These children have put their imprint on all of our hearts and created a partnership based on love.

Why I volunteer

2013-04-24T20:06:06Z

In honor of National Volunteer Month, this is the first of two volunteer-focused posts.

The first time I volunteered at a Sumner County Special Olympics event in Tennessee , I remember seeing this group of ladies in their 50s struggling to walk before the races began. I didn’t know if I could bear to watch; I was worried about how they’d do.

But then, during the 100-meter dash, they came around the corner in a sprint, with an intensity like I’ve never seen. And that’s when I knew how important the annual Spring Games were to them — how badly they wanted to compete, and how happy I was to be a part of it.

I’ve been working with the Special Olympics here for six years. We’ve tripled the number of employees who’ve volunteered since my first year, and employees even use their own vacation hours to do this. We’ve raised around $20,000, including company matching. And this year’s Spring Games will be the biggest ever, with 240 athletes signed up.

For us, it’s not just about putting in a day here and there.

There’s also the story about Tyler (pictured with me above), a 23-year-old who can’t run very well because of dexterity issues, but he loves playing on our soccer team. We practice every Thursday, and then every Friday, he’ll say to his father, “How many days until practice?”

When we chose him to be the torch carrier in the parade, he didn’t sleep a wink the night before because he was so excited. It seems to put everything back in perspective for me.

We teach these kids to try to win, even though it’s not most important. These are people who don’t often have opportunities to compete like many of us do. And as much as they love competing, I have to say that I feel like the lucky one, getting to work with them.

Gap + the Toronto International Film Festival for Kids

2013-04-18T21:38:22Z

Whenever I meet a mom in my Gap PR job, you can usually bet she’ll ask how her little one can become a GapKids model. I’ve often thought about why that is.

I think it’s about a great opportunity, but also having their child enjoy a fun, memorable experience with a much-loved brand. That got me thinking about creating more of those experiences and, well, Tiff Kids .

A global leader in children’s cinema and a property of TIFF, one of the world’s top film festivals, it seemed only natural for GapKids to get involved and sponsor Tiff Kids Opening Night in mid-April.

Located in downtown Toronto, it also connected us with our customers in a localized, culturally relevant way. Plus, the movie premiere was amazing – an animated Canadian film called The Legend of Serila.

The Gap PR team ramped up to the big night by first kicking off a social media contest for a chance for three families to win Opening Night tickets and have their children outfitted in the GapKids Spring collection.

Then, we started thinking about the pre-movie party at the Tiff Bell Lightbox, where the movie premiered. What could we do to make it super-fun? We decided to recreate the A-lister experience, inviting hundreds of parents and kids to strike a pose with on the GapKids red carpet before heading into the movie.

They loved it. I have to admit, so did I. That night, everyone was a GapKid.

Everyone’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed band

2013-04-12T17:23:17Z

Leather pants, ripped t-shirts, spiked heels....maybe not things I would wear to my day job doing Public Relations at Gap, Inc.

But by night, when I sing in a San Francisco-based band called Talk Tonight, the door for style is wide open.

At a recent live show, the band was spotted and subsequently sponsored to record one of our original songs in studio with a producer. The song is now done (super excited), so the next step is to get it out there! But, the band knew before we could start promoting, there was one thing we were desperately needing - a “look.”

Being a group of six, we all had different opinions on which way to go – Rock? Dressed up classy? Hipster? What? We needed to look polished but still look like us.

Then I remembered that Banana Republic offers on-site stylist services and immediately made an appointment with the stylist at our flagship store in San Francisco, Nanci, to see if she could help a band out. She said she would, so one recent Saturday, all of us met at the store to get our new look.

We weren’t sure what to expect, but were blown away with what was prepared for us. Nanci did her homework! She knew who each one of us was upon arrival because in preparation for our appointment she listened to our music, watched our videos on YouTube and got to know our personalities on our Facebook page.

Nanci had reserved a wing of private dressing rooms so each of us had our own room with thoughtful, pre-selected looks based on what instrument we play and our role in the band (comfy sleeves for our drummer and show-stopping gold pants for the lead singer). By the end of the day, all six of us left with multiple new looks that we can’t wait to show off on stage.

So next time you’re in San Francisco, come see us rockin’ our new look at our next show , or listen to our new song.

PHOTO: (clockwise) Pat (brown textured full zip sweater, gray Heritage slim cords), Frank (weekend orange & blue plaid short sleeve shirt, Heritage premium slim 101 selvage jean), Jason (navy Heritage button funnel neck sweater), Liz ( navy & white lattice peplum top, fuscia Hampton capri pant), Christian (white weekend short sleeve stretch shirt, gold spring Emerson chino, navy & white polka dot tie), Marie (black Monogram sleeveless shawl shell, red woven full mini skirt, blush Kate platform heels)

South Africa, meet Banana Republic

2013-04-09T13:39:49Z

I was recently in South Africa for Banana Republic’s launch in Cape Town — BR's first franchise store there, and our second in the Southern Hemisphere (Chile opened last year.)

It was also the 19th franchise country for Banana Republic.

And while South Africa seems like a world away from my office in New York City (nearly 8,000 miles away, to be precise), Cape Town is a very beautiful, warm and inviting city.

I have had the opportunity to visit a variety of countries and I’m always surprised by some of the things I see in different parts of the world. In Cape Town, the spectacular Table Mountain is just a few moments’ drive from our new store and whether it’s day or night, it is a magnificent sight to behold. Late one night, I was delighted to see a group of zebras grazing in a field on the side of the road as I rode back to the hotel… such a lovely change from the bright lights of the big city.

The new store opened at the Cavendish Square Mall, and the launch was marked by a special celebration with a live musician, celebrity fashion show, flowing champagne, and included a guest list with celebrities, press and bloggers. It’s the kind of thing we do to help build excitement and awareness for our new stores.

The following day, Banana Republic did a special partnership with Grazia magazine, where there were four trunk shows held throughout the day, narrated by Grazia’s editor-in-chief.

Expanding into new markets is a critical part of our company’s overall global expansion strategy. Since beginning this franchise business model, we’ve been busy opening more than 300 Gap and Banana Republic stores across 40 countries … and there is still a lot more of the world to cover!

Making the Cardi Jacket

2013-04-04T16:33:05Z

I’m all about getting dressed and out the door as quickly as possible in the mornings. The key to my quick routine is to stock my wardrobe with easy-to-style staples that don’t require a lot of fussing. This spring, my go-to item will be Old Navy’s new Cardi Jacket.

The jacket, which launched in select stores and online last week, is available in black, yellow, navy, tan and pink. It’s a perfect transitional piece, adding an essential layer for comfortable and stylish dressing in between seasons.

Michael Ingram Jones, our head of global product design at Old Navy, put things this way: “Old Navy has always been about making the aspirational very accessible. The Cardi Jacket is going to feel as light and unconstructed and as simple as a T-shirt."

Michael and the Old Navy design team were focused on every detail of the jacket, right down to the thickness of the thread.

“It’s a mix of things that make it right,” Michael said. “It’s that great textured fabric and that mix of colors that is really important…we just did the best version of it that was possible.”

The Cardi Jacket will be available for the next six weeks. Watch the video above to learn more about the inspiration behind the piece and see which color is your favorite.

A job at Gap: “To her, it means the world”

2013-03-26T20:08:19Z

She tried many different jobs, but the results were always the same — her employer would say, “Thanks but no thanks” after a few days, and she’d be on her way.

Until the Gap store in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan gave her a chance.

Tammi Stevens is hearing impaired. She also has some dexterity issues that make certain movements difficult, but she is bright, energetic as most 29-year-olds are, and willing to try new things. Yet job options are limited because employers are never willing to work with her to find a job that fits her abilities.

Then, a year ago, an advocate from the Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program (PWIP) walked into Saskatoon’s only Gap store and talked with store manager Marla Cook. She was happy to hire Tammi and carved out a customized role for her.

Tammi’s been there a year now — longer than any paid job she’s had— working every Wednesday from 7-10 a.m. on the shipment line, putting huge piles of clothing neatly away. She has excelled.

“She’s just thrilled,” said Tammi’s mom, Shelley. “It’s the Gap, and it’s in the mall — it’s something fun and cool, and she’s good at it. She gets up at 5:45 a.m. on Wednesdays, because she’s excited, and she looks forward to seeing her name on the schedule every week.

She’s got a pretty busy schedule and many interests, so three hours a week is perfect.

“It’s only three hours a week, and to a company that’s not much, but to her, it’s life-changing,” Shelley said.

Initially, the Gap staff worked with a job coach to come up with a list of things Tammi could do, rather than saying “Here’s the job.”

“I just wondered, is this manager just a nice person? Or is this a company-wide thing?” Shelley said.

Marla, the manager, said it’s about being the right people and doing the right thing.

“We have the ability to accommodate someone who is capable, but you have to have the patience and the right environment,” she said.

Shelley said that when the family took a vacation to Hawaii recently, they went to the mall and saw a Gap.

“Tammi was excited to go in there and buy a sweater, and tell them, ‘I work here, too.’”

As a result of this work, Gap won 2012 Employer of the Year from the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work.

Our beloved security guard will retire ...

2013-03-21T04:03:55Z

In 1994, Anthony "Tony" Janaro was working for a contract security firm at our Gap headquarters in San Francisco.

At the security desk, the rules were clear. No one could pass through without first signing their name.

One day, a tall, bald man with a briefcase walked through. He strolled past the security desk without stopping to sign his name first.

“Sir?“ Tony called out. “You have to sign in first.”

“I have an office on the fourth floor,” the man replied clearly, without a hint of agitation.

“Still, if you can please sign in first,” Tony said, “I’ll escort you up to the fourth floor.”

So Don Fisher signed his name. Tony walked with him to the elevator, apologizing for the delay.

A few minutes later, Tony’s boss came over. “The company founder just came in,” he said, nervously.

“Oh, no,” Tony said. “I think I just had him sign in.”

They confirmed by checking the book. Yep, Don had signed his name. Tony, who had once operated a longtime candy store in New York, was sure his security job at 1 Harrison would end prematurely.

Not so. A few minutes later, Don called downstairs and spoke to a director. “Be sure you keep Tony around,” Don said. “He’s a good one.”

Tony’s still a good one.

This was one of my favorite stories Tony had ever told me. But he’s told a lot of stories to a lot of us here and he often overlooks a simple truth: he’s one of those stories.

Tony is retiring from Gap. He’s been with us for nearly 20 years – the unofficial eyes and face of our Gap HQ – eyes that will always see you from his black, elevated security desk. A voice, warm and Harlem-bred, that will always reassure you. Whether it’s a familiar greeting or a sharp quip, you’ll remember him.

When you zoom in closer, past our international expansion, pop culture and marketing campaigns, we’re known for, we’re a company of unique, passionate people. Tony is one of them. He fits right in.

Retirement will bring him closer to his family, to the things he loves and wants to do. He’s looking forward to it. A couple of days ago, he told me this: “You have to put your personality into your job.

Because I’m the first person you see at Gap, I take seriously the impression I can make. If I can put you in a better mood, you’ll probably want to do more business with us.”

There it was – that “thing” that great employees do so naturally. It’s not easy to mimic, but he nailed it.

Tony, we wish you nothing but the best in the days and years ahead.

On being a strong business woman...

2013-03-19T17:44:51Z

In honor of Women’s History Month, Abinta Malik, a senior vice president, talks about what it means to be a female business leader today.

Growing up, I only really had two big passions in life. One was to “save the world” and the other was my obsession with apparel.

My family background is in nonprofit – my father worked with the United Nations – so I spent my whole life moving. Every three or four years we lived in a different country. I was exposed to various languages, and cultures, and I had a lot of exposure to the economic plight of the rest of the world.

I also give a lot of credit to my mother, whom I consider the most influential woman I know and admire. She was a homemaker and she always made us feel happy, content and well taken care of as we hopped around the globe. Today she is the head of two nonprofit organizations back in Pakistan, one for mental health and one for artisans. Pretty amazing woman.

Before joining Gap, I was able to work for a nonprofit myself, focusing on women’s issues in Northern Pakistan. I have always been a big believer in women’s rights, and I was happy to see the U.S. government pass a law that both strengthened and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

We don’t spend enough time recognizing women and acknowledging what women have done around the world.

When I closed the chapter on my nonprofit work, it was only natural to then follow my other passion and come to Gap. Being a female leader in such a large company, in such a large business? Sometimes I wake up and am surprised that it all worked out that way.

I’m often asked what advice I’d have for a young woman beginning her career. My answer is simple: Work hard. Definitely work hard. Don’t take things for granted. Embrace the different experiences and make yourself better from all of those experiences.

Style “It girl” Aimee Song partners with Piperlime

2013-03-13T21:16:12Z

It seems like everywhere I go these days, I’m hearing about the high-low fashion trend — pairing a splurge-worthy blazer with a low-cost pair of jeans, for example. Well, Aimee Song, the Internet’s It girl when it comes to style blogging, has mastered that art and then some.

And Piperlime, which has a history of partnering with stylists in the know, has added Aimee as its newest Guest Editor — just in time for spring.

In partnership with the leading lifestyle brand POPSUGAR, she is bringing her style tips, product picks and original video content to Piperlime.com, as well as on POPSUGAR.

Piperlime has a long history of partnering with guest editors, like celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe (who was the first) and Olivia Palermo. The editors choose things they like, and then customers respond (Rachel Bilson once convinced me to order a pair of Sam Edelman ankle booties).

We chose Aimee, known for her blog Song of Style (and her almost 700,000 Instagram followers), because she is aspirational, without being too “fashion forward.”

I spoke with Jacquie Lenart, Piperlime’s VP of Marketing and Creative, for a little inside info on why we’re working with Aimee. Jacquie likes how Aimee always “adds a unique twist, which is very much in tune with Piperlime’s aesthetic.”

In the beginning, Jacquie and the team put together a list of bloggers, then whittled it down -- Aimee emerged as someone who fit Piperlime’s customers perfectly. The team then worked with POPSUGAR to secure Aimee for this partnership, and the rest is history. Also, POPSUGAR gives Piperlime a way to reach customers that might not yet know the brand.

Visit Aimee’s style picks on Piperlime.com, or watch a video of her offering tips, tricks and shortcuts. We can’t wait to see what she comes up with this season.

Old Navy ‘Upgrades’ styles with Brad Goreski

2013-03-08T18:51:29Z

This spring, Old Navy fans can be inspired by new ways of wearing its staple fashions with a little help from none other than celeb fashion stylist Brad Goreski!

Seems the star of Bravo’s “It’s a Brad, Brad World” comes to the brand by way of his sister, who is apparently a longtime fan and shopper.

So once Old Navy set its sights on Brad, folks from the brand sat down to breakfast with the stylist and a new partnership was born.

As part of Old Navy’s spring campaign, Goreski provides advice on how to pull together Old Navy jeans, tees, hoodies and dresses in five style videos (which lives on Old Navy’s YouTube channel). Additionally, his first style video aired this month with the remaining four set for the second season of his show, which started this week. Viewers will be able to interact with the show and style videos online at Bravotv.com during episodes by answering questions like “Which Old Navy outfit do you like best?”

As Old Navy Media Director Michele Schuh put it, “We think Brad is a really great match for us as he’s got that quirky Old Navy spirit in him, but he’s also inspirational and has a lot of fashion sensibility.”

Behind Banana Republic's Mad Men “Mod Pod”

2013-03-05T18:02:08Z

How do you take an already highly anticipated launch to the next level?

Well, for this year’s latest Banana Republic Mad Men collection, we decided to go with an exclusive and unique Los Angeles pop-up shop we dubbed the “Mod Pod.”

For two days Banana Republic set up shop at the famous Grove shopping center in Los Angeles, converting an airstream trailer into a full-blown makeover station replete with a fitting room and plenty of space for beautifying. Media and shoppers alike were offered head-to-toe mod makeovers and were able to take home pieces from the limited edition collection.

The kick-off event on Feb. 26 featured supermodel Coco Rocha, who is the face of the Banana Republic Mad Men collection’s advertising campaign. She was joined by “Mad Men” Costume Designer Janie Bryant, who was on-site helping renowned LA fashion bloggers such as Sydne Style, Stay Classic, CouldIHaveThat and others style mod looks from the collection.

So far the collection has pulled in great coverage in media outlets like E! News, and online via US Weekly, Glamour, InStyle and Entertainment Weekly, among many others.

See something you like? Well, go check it out in stores and online now. Happy shopping…

Our Family Day in Canada ...

2013-02-27T21:29:26Z

In Canada, we call it Family Day. After all, it’s a statutory holiday in this country and, as a Public Relations team, we think this is a great opportunity to interact directly with our customers and their families.

In this case, as a way to really celebrate the family, fun and fashion at the heart of Old Navy, we hosted Family Day events at three stores (Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario and Burnaby, BC). As you can tell from these photos, we featured cool things like kooky craft stations, a DJ with professional dancers and even top Canadian stylists who offered 10-minute “wardrobe tune-ups.”

In my role on our PR team, helping families celebrate style – in a fun, approachable way – is one of the cool aspects of what we do.

How we recognize ‘The Dream’

2013-02-22T18:14:52Z

Do you remember the zoot suit? How about Hammer pants? Or (my favorite mention) Diana Ross slinking across the screen in her glitter and bouffant? Each of these 20^th century fashion moments were brought up in this week’s panel discussion at our company.

Specifically, we called it “Fashion’s March Forward: The African American Influence on Fashion.”

That’s a formal way to honor Black History Month. The panel, led by one of our lead merchants at Old Navy, featured four fashion headliners. They included:

Maya Lake, up-and-coming designer recently featured in “Essence”
Sherri McMullen, Oakland-based boutique entrepreneur
Elizabeth Wellington, “Philadelphia Inquirer” fashion columnist
Wallace Hollimon, Director of Men’s Design, Old Navy

Elizabeth told us that black people have always been involved in fashion in America - whether physically making the clothes or influencing the industry through the hip-hop movement. The discussion then went on to touch upon a number of points: the influence and history of African prints that Maya uses in her designs; the challenges of buying products for a diverse clientele at shops like Sherri’s; and Wallace’s point on how African-American men have influenced the fashion industry throughout the years.

One of the most powerful points came toward the end of the chat, when Wallace talked about this year being the 50^th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington. He said that we must continue marching forward and be tenacious in striving to make the world better.

I was inspired by how our visitors offered career advice, encouraging us to talk about our work, because so many people don’t know about the many options behind fashion careers that companies like ours provide.

Diversity is an important aspect of our business. Share your achievements, tell your story to as many people as you can, the panelists told us, and continue to celebrate your heritage through your work – it was just another example of how we pay tribute to our people and our industry and one of the reasons that drew me to this company a year ago.

A car fire, a hero nearby

2013-02-19T21:08:13Z

Inside the company, we hear every day about the many things our employees do to impact the world around them, whether it’s volunteering, or holding grassroots fundraisers to help the family of a fallen soldier.

But it’s not often we hear about one of our own literally saving lives.

Sarah Batchelder was on the phone with her boss when she realized the car in front of her was on fire.

It was a few months ago and Sarah, a district Loss Prevention manager for Banana Republic, had just left a store opening in Massachusetts. She saw the SUV in front of her start to smoke, told her boss she’d have to call him back, hung up and started honking her horn.

By the time the car pulled over, the fire had grown. Out jumped a mom, four children under age 11, and a dad holding an infant. The mom looked like she was getting ready to go back and grab things out of the car. Sarah, who had also pulled over, yelled, “Let’s go,” and motioned her away. Then she called 911, her face still hot from being so close to the flames.

Sarah is receiving a Hometown Hero award from The American Red Cross in March for her bravery that day.

“I remember these four children staring up at me,” Sarah said. “We just sat on the side of the highway for hours and I distracted them while the adults dealt with the fire.”

She pulled her own kids’ booster seats out of her car so the children didn’t have to sit on the grass, and gave them toys she had. When the fire got worse, she put the kids into her own car, away from the smoke.

A chance to help further

It turns out the family was in the process of moving from Massachusetts to Maine, and much of what they owned sat smoldering inside the older-model Suburban.

As she was driving home that night, Sarah called her boss, and said, “We’ve got to do something.”

Emails went out, and within 48 hours, employees had donated $1,000 in gift cards, plus clothes, car seats — almost new — and other necessities. This more than replaced what they lost.

“I remember talking to my husband about that and I just started crying. No one questioned — they just donated.”

She’s still in touch with the family – the Chins. They were so grateful to her that they sent her letters, drawings, gifts and thank yous. They texted a lot in the days following the fire, to check in on each other, and now they are friends.

Sarah has been with Gap Inc. for 20 years — it was her first job and Gap, she says, has influenced her almost as long as her parents.

“I admire this company so much because people here act without thinking — because it’s the right thing to do.”

“I was lucky I was there that day,” Sarah adds. “I’ve grown so much because of this.”

Six China stores, one week

2013-02-15T00:02:52Z

Gap China continues its momentum with a flurry of new store openings our team pulled off within a seven-day span.

Beijing welcomed its eighth Gap Specialty store and Shanghai its ninth while new locations popped up for the first time in Shenzhen, Hefei and Nanjing.

That's pretty impressive, considering we opened our first stores in China just three years ago — Shanghai's Hong Kong Plaza store was Gap's first official opening with three more quickly following in 2010. In 2012 alone, 25 new Specialty stores opened.

These latest openings are examples of the company’s growth and confidence in China, which is the second-largest apparel market in the world.

New store locations include:

Hefei Cosmo City

Beijing Living Mall

Nanjing IST Mall

Shenzhen Coco Park

Shenzhen All City

Shanghai L’Avenue Mall

Looking back at our global success

2013-02-13T00:12:16Z

As our company shifts to a global brands structure, we are taking this opportunity to look back at how far we’ve come with our franchise business.

We opened our first franchise store in 2006, in Singapore, and now we have more than 300 stores in about 40 countries. With each opening, we’ve been able to introduce our brands to more and more customers around the world.

This has definitely been a year of notching up air miles. As I travel around the world, I’m amazed by the local buzz and excitement our store openings attract. It makes me feel incredibly proud to work for this brand.

In 2012 alone, we opened more than 75 stores across Gap and Banana Republic, with debuts in Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Guam, Georgia, South Africa and Armenia (to name a few). In just one week alone, we opened six stores across three continents.

We’ve made good progress with our Latin America growth strategy, with recent debuts in Panama, Colombia and Uruguay. In September, we opened our first freestanding Gap store in Mexico, which caused much buzz and attracted large crowds as Reik, a Latin Grammy award-winning band, performed at the opening party. And later this year, we’ll be making further Latin America debuts in Brazil and Peru.

It’s not all about brick and mortar stores, though. In December, our franchise partner, Fiba, launched a new e-commerce site in Turkey to complement existing Gap and Banana Republic stores across the country. It was an exciting step forward for us – it’s the first time our relationship with a franchise partner has gone online.

Here’s to a great 2013, as we introduce our brands to more and more customers around the world.

District Attorney and Gap Inc. do what’s right for youth

2013-02-07T18:08:30Z

At Gap Inc., we believe in investing in the communities in which we live and work. But what does that really mean for me as someone who works here?

On January 31^st, I got to see firsthand what an individual can do to make a difference. I joined fellow employees to attend a mentoring event held by San Francisco’s District Attorney, George Gascón, and his African-American Advisory Committee along with Bay Area companies, like Gap Inc. Given that it was the last day of National Mentoring Month and there are more than 1,000 youths in San Francisco waiting for a mentor, it seemed like a natural fit for our company.

But it was meeting with the organizations and hearing firsthand accounts from mentees that really struck a chord.

An hour a week might seem like a big time commitment, but when you hear how that one hour has been the difference between two different life paths? It now seems like the easiest commitment to make.

Not only did we leave with information on mentoring for ourselves and to share with our coworkers, but I left understanding what it means to work at Gap Inc. I now see it in the time we’re given to volunteer, our company-matched donations and the fact that we’re always encouraged to find new ways to help out in our communities, like this mentoring opportunity.

I now really appreciate Doris and Don Fisher’s words, “Let’s do more than sell clothes.”

Click on the links below to find out how you can become a mentor or learn more about the organizations we visited with:

Big Brothers Big Sisters

CASA for Children

Mentoring for Success

Minds Matter

YMCA

Youth Justice Institute

You're about to be inspired

2013-02-05T21:23:45Z

For the fifth year in a row, Athleta has invited women of all sports and ages to apply for the brand’s sponsored athlete program — women who bring life to the mantra Power to the She.

In 2012, there were 20 athletes chosen. This year, there are 45, from ages 14 to 94, and from every walk of life. You can read about the individual women on Athleta’s Chi Blog.

We can’t write about every woman chosen, but we can tell two stories — about the youngest, and the oldest — that represent this year’s group. And I can tell you they were a pleasure to interview earlier this month — their words about fearlessness and positivity have been in my head ever since.

Winter Vinecki, age 14

Winter, a triathlete and endurance runner since the age of five, is attempting to capture a World Record for the youngest person to run a marathon on each of the seven continents.

But it’s not just about records. When she was just eight years old and already cause-oriented, she decided to start raising money for childhood obesity. That first time, she did a 10K and raised $1,100.

“Little did I know at that time, my dad had a tumor growing inside of him,” Winter said. “I knew I had to change course and help raise money for prostate cancer awareness.”

Her father passed away when she was nine, and she draws strength from him every day.

“He fought really hard, even though he was in pain, and I try to do that too,” she said. “He’s one of my biggest inspirations every day; he’s always by my side, whether I’m running or sitting there doing homework.”

A size XXS, Winter loves Athleta clothing because of the fit. She trains year-round for all her athletic endeavors outfitted in the brand’s seasonal collections.

Learn more about Winter’s Guinness World Record journey.

Tao Porchon-Lynch, age 94

Tao is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest yoga teacher — she has taught thousands of students over the decades both in the U.S. and abroad. Though it wasn’t always about yoga for Tao, she’s always felt an immense connection to the world around her.

She was born in 1918 in Pondicherry, India.

At the beginning of World War II, Tao went to France to live with her father’s sister, Collette. They became part of the French Resistance movement, secretly sheltering Jewish families who were fleeing the Nazis. When her underground partner was captured, her aunt ordered her to flee to England — she left with the clothes on her back and a small valise of saris.

“My aunt was an inspiration — she wasn’t afraid of anything. I learned that if you had something in your mind, you went and did it, you didn’t procrastinate,” Tao said.

After the war, Tao came to the United States as a model with a French couturier, and then transitioned to acting in films in Hollywood. After settling in Westchester County, New York with her husband, Tao began teaching yoga in 1968. She founded the Westchester Institute of Yoga, which now has a strong presence in the yoga world.

“I don’t think about age; I never have. When I wake up in the morning, I don’t fear anything. I put in my mind that something good is going to happen. Whatever you put in your mind materializes, and I don’t want negativity in my mind.”

Read more about Tao’s extraordinary life.

One way to brighten the world

2013-01-31T18:02:40Z

Building on its “Give Twice” campaign that kicked off in December, Gap is helping shed light on Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) program by encouraging others to share this video.

It starts with a simple fact: There is no better investment you can make in the world than an investment in the tools and support someone needs to realize their dreams.

And for us at Gap, that is especially true. That’s why our company started the P.A.C.E. program in 2007—providing life and professional skills that help women at work and at home. After all, most of our customers are women, as are our employees. When women move forward in their education, careers and lives, their families and communities grow with them. And that’s why we want to share the inspiring stories of P.A.C.E. graduates today. Once you get to know these women—their dedication, their caring, their pride—we hope you will want to share their stories, too.

We made a small film called “My Sister Sujatha,” which tells the story of one of the P.A.C.E graduates through the words of her sister. When I watch it, I am reminded that we at Gap have received much more than we have given and there is no better expression of what we mean by “Be Bright.” Believing in people is what our brand is all about: recognizing the value of the individual and that we all share a common hope and desire for a brighter future for ourselves, our families and for the world.

Please watch and share “My Sister Sujatha.” It’s people that really matter.

Do More. Wash Less

2013-01-30T21:37:50Z

It’s an approach to being more environmentally friendly that’s as easy as “1,2,3.” It starts with a team at Gap, determined to make a difference while maintaining quality. And it ends at your house.

Step One: Ask ‘What Can We Do?’

Todd DellAquila, a senior merchandiser with Gap says it started simply enough. “We asked ourselves ‘how can we make a positive difference? What can we do?’” On the idea of being environmentally responsible, Todd said “We’ve always been a company that tries to give back and to improve the way we do things.”

Gap introduced a collection of recycled denim - for men and women - in select North American stores and online. The jeans are made with 30 percent recycled cotton; old jeans and t-shirts were broken up and re-woven with the same look and feel as other 1969 denim.

Step Two: Make Positive Changes

Gap’s 1969 denim team is exploring another positive development, a process called “wise wash.” Jeans are washed in cooler water, a method that generates less runoff. Dropping the water temperature can also reduce energy consumption and make a positive environmental impact. Change is good.

Step Three: Leave it up to you

You’re going to start to see some new advice on the inside of your 1969 jeans. “Do more, wash less.” Denim isn’t meant to be worn once and washed. It has more character than that. Denim (especially in our case) has its own history. Grab your denim and make it your own. You can do more. And wash less.

A Gap Inc. Lesson for Students

2013-01-22T20:56:11Z

When you’re just starting out, it’s tough to learn how to get that first job. What should you ask in an interview? What should you put on your resume?

I’m so thrilled to be part of Gap Inc. for Community Colleges, which helps answer those questions.

Here’s how it works. Some of our general managers teach community college students about resume writing, interviewing, communicating, and time management. Students learn in classrooms, plus mock interviews and even job shadowing.

Since we started the program a couple of years ago, it’s grown to 21 cities, and we’ve trained more than 1,200 students. And, of course, we’ve hired some of them. How cool is that?

This isn’t the only way we’re helping people get jobs, whether it’s with us or somewhere else in another industry. We also help with a site called Jobipedia, where students ask Gap Inc. and recruiters from other companies questions about job hunting or how to thrive in that first job. We’re also involved with Learn Up, which helps you become a candidate for jobs after completing online training.

Not to name drop or anything, but it’s all connected to the White House and the Aspen Institute's Skills for America’s Future initiative. And we were one of the first companies to get involved. I’m so proud to be helping students, and so are the general managers.

Our message to students: We’re here for you. Start by exploring our careers page. And connect with us on our Gap Inc. for Community Colleges Facebook page.

A 100 Percent Recycled Gift

2013-01-17T03:45:57Z

When I was a kid, my mom used to wax philosophical about the importance of recycling and being “good to the Earth.” But that’s often where the conversation ended. We didn’t have three color-coded bins that helped you determine what goes where and what was better, or worse, for our planet.

That’s all changed today. Words like “sustainability” and “greening” are part of our cultural lexicon, even as we quietly wonder what we’re supposed to do every day to become, well, greener. But the better message may be this: as we consume things, are we making good – or even conscious – decisions around our environment?

In this case, the little things always count. Case in point: Gap was our first brand to introduce a recycled plastic gift card, back in ’07, and has upped the ante with its current card – one that’s made of 100 percent recycled paper. These cards, unlike their plastic cousins, can be tossed into your recycling bin with all the other stuff.

Even if you didn’t recycle these cards, they’ll naturally degrade – leaving no toxic chemicals or residue behind. The paper mill that produces them for Gap, and the printer that prints them, are Forest Stewardship Council certified.

Gap’s cards also promise to “Give Twice,” because part of the proceeds benefit one of two nonprofit organizations. (This is just one small example of our company’s promise to “do more than sell clothes.”)

As it turns out, January is a big month in the world of gift cards – either from holiday shoppers redeeming their shiny new rectangular gifts … or misplacing them, often forever.

So … start putting those gift cards to use and, when you’re done, I’m sure you know where they belong (wink, wink).

We Welcome INTERMIX

2013-01-14T23:30:53Z

It happened in the middle of a flurry. In the midst of holiday sales and during my transition from Gap to President of Gap Inc.’s GID (Growth Innovation and Digital) division, I receive an unexpected call. Luxury retailer INTERMIX is looking for a strategic partner and the company’s investors are interested in Gap Inc.

In the context of my new role, I recognize interesting opportunities. Here are some that come to mind:

INTERMIX is a specialty retailer that curates the best of the best from many brands. That’s how many customers shop and dress today. INTERMIX delivers an edited mix of different designers and exclusives, merchandised by lifestyle.

INTERMIX takes Gap Inc. into an elevated part of the market. I believe the contemporary, premium, designer space is a rapidly growing and least volatile segment on a global basis.

INTERMIX has 32 small, highly productive boutique stores and a very loyal client base. There’s opportunity to grow the e-commerce business, private label, and international presence.

Gap Inc. now has six unique brands. We are excited to leverage the resources of our global company to grow INTERMIX and delight its clients. But, success comes down to the people who keep the unique culture of each brand alive. We welcome the INTERMIX team to the Gap Inc. family.

Additional information:

For more details on the INTERMIX deal read the press release.

Gap Inc. is entering 2013 with a new global brand management structure.

Announcing Gap North America’s New Executive Vice President

2013-01-09T02:46:01Z

Today, we’re excited to announce that Tom Sands is the new Executive Vice President of Gap North America. Tom will take on the new Gap brand position immediately, reporting to Steve Sunnucks, Gap’s Global Brand President.

Tom has been in the role of Executive Vice President at Old Navy, and spent most of last year co-leading that brand through a very successful year.

We’re looking forward to Tom’s new role, given his vast retail industry knowledge and 30 years of experience leading our brands and others, including roles as both a president and CEO.

He served as Old Navy’s EVP of stores from 2002 to 2005.He returned to the brand in April 2011, most recently serving as EVP of Old Navy U.S. Before joining Old Navy in 2002, Tom spent 19 years with Target Corporation.

Tom will work with the Gap North America team to help guide the transition to the new global brand structure, designed to fuel the company’s long-term growth.

He is replacing Mark Breitbard, who is leaving Jan 10. We’re grateful for all of Mark’s contributions, and yet we’re excited about this next chapter with Tom at the helm of Gap North America.

The Power of Intention...What's Yours?

2013-01-04T18:19:33Z

New year, new outlook.

This year, Athleta wants us to focus on "becoming the most amazing versions of ourselves possible." It’s all about “The Power of Intention…What’s Yours?”

In line with its overall “Power to the She” mantra, this is all about personal “intentions” juxtaposed with gorgeous imagery. It's brought to life in the brand’s online gallery showcasing various intentions, along with product information, and other resources to help athletes propel their pursuits.

Personally, my intention would be to pull off the feat below, maybe not in 2013, but hopefully in my lifetime:

So, what’s your intention this year?