Get ready to fall back into the Gap. The label has put a distinctive Spring in its step this season with a return-to-its-roots approach that is shockingly chic. The evolution is by design: when Gap Inc. hired Rebekka Bay as creative director, she was charged with a fairly heavy goal: fix it.
So what went wrong? According to an interview in the latest issue of Bloomberg Businessweek [1], when Bay was hired in October 2012, her primary task was nothing short of a complete overhaul. Giving a nod to the label's legacy, she admitted, "Even if I didn’t want the job, I had to take the job. There was no way I was going to say 'no' to the opportunity."
Aiming to revisit its 1969 roots, Bay combed the archives, "Everyone has an opinion, but I had to go after what it is for me . . . What was my fondest memory of the brand?" She told the magazine. Inspired by the black and white Herb Ritts and Annie Leibovitz campaigns from the '90s as well as those now iconic khaki-clad swing dance TV spots, the goal was to return to the "casual chic uniform," in short, "make Gap Gap again."
We'd call this a job well done — which is no surprise coming from the woman behind COS, not to mention a résumé that includes time at H&M. One look at Gap's Spring line, and you'll see what we mean.
Source: Gap [2]
Gap Spring 2014
Tuxedo-Stripe Khakis [3] ($39, originally $55)
Gap Spring 2014
Floral Drawstring Henley Shirtdress [4] ($30, originally $60)
Gap Spring 2014
Sunkissed Multistripe Shorts [5] ($31, originally $45)
Gap Spring 2014
Espadrille Sandals [6] ($48, originally $60)
Gap Spring 2014
Leather Flap Clutch [7] ($40)
Gap Spring 2014
1969 Destructed Straight Skimmer Jeans [8] ($70)
Gap Spring 2014
Cloud Wash Sweatshirt [9] ($29, originally $40)
Gap Spring 2014
Leather Sandals [10] ($45)
Gap Spring 2014
Dip-Dye Henley Tunic [11] ($36, originally $60)
Gap Spring 2014
1969 Bleached Sexy Boyfriend Denim Shorts [12] ($40, originally $50)
Gap Spring 2014
Fitted Boyfriend Palm Print Denim Shirt [13] ($29, originally $55)
Gap Spring 2014
Printed Espadrille Slip-Ons [14] ($32, originally $40)
Gap Spring 2014
Floral Chambray Dress [15] ($49, originally $70)