RIP: Donald Fisher, Co-Founder of the Gap
Our hearts go out to the friends and family of Donald Fisher, co-founder of the Gap, who died on Sunday, in San Francisco. Donald founded the American casual label we all know (and love), with his wife Doris in 1969. The company just celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Named for the “generation gap” between Baby Boomers and their parents, the Gap revolutionized retail — the Fishers were inspired by a frustrating shopping experience. The couple had difficulty exchanging an ill-fitting pair of jeans and couldn't find the right denim size with the assortment at local department stores. They opened the first Gap store in the foggy city, sales reached $2 million the following year, and the rest is retail history.
I just found out my dad met Don circa '72 — they did some business together. Don was wearing a denim Levi's suit that my dad coveted and ended up hunting down and buying for himself. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?
With Creative Director Patrick Robinson creating new heat for the established brand, the Gap, and Don's denim doings, live on.
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Betsey Johnson
RIP: Donald. I gave 9 years of my life to his company. I'm forever grateful for where it led me.
1The Gap had a reputation as a great place to work and its training program in addition to a great product. Sad to see the founder go.
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