Gap Puts All Bets On Patrick

Aug 11, 2008 @ 11:42am

patrick robinson sartorialist 2.jpg Gap's let go of their European design team according to The Telegraph.

The company's numbers are down, (aren't everyone's?), but they're attributing the lay-offs to a "greater demand for American-style fashions". They're also betting on Patrick Robinson to make the all-American clothes he designs from New York a little more fashion forward, and thus appealing to Europeans on their own merit.

Europeans desiring North American style, whatever that means, sounds a bit far-reaching. We're guessing chic Parisians aren't fawning over cotton t-shirts and boyfriend jeans from the Gap - even if they are pegged a la Katie Holmes. Fashion lust typically moves in the other direction - hello skinny jeans, scarves, Topshop, etc.

The pressure's on, Patrick.

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 11:48AM

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'm gonna cry.

posted by fabfo

Aug 11, 2008 11:56AM

i love p.robs and all but I;m going to miss the european collections, they were just...better

posted by etoilee8

Aug 11, 2008 12:02PM

For once, I feel totally in the loop about this. My best friend in London lost his job at Gap Europe. I didn't realize it was the entire department!

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 12:15PM

well it's true that the seriously fashionable europeans don't covet north american styles, but there is still a big market for american brands. i made a killing selling old abercrombie stuff at thrift stores while studying abroad in copenhagen...

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 12:21PM

Such a very bad idea. They should have gone the other way and put the European collection in selected US stores, not abolish it entirely. My European friends recently rediscovered the gap and likely will abandon it again. I love my two European collection S/S 08 dresses and wish I could have bought more.

posted by DC Goodwill Fashionista

Aug 11, 2008 12:24PM

I think Patrick can do it! At least I hope so. But the current crop of Gap ads certainly isn't making me lust for any of their products. What's with all the black and white photography? -the DCGF

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 12:36PM

I live in Paris and I don't think you guys understand how unbelievably TACKY parisiens can be.Honestly the fashion community is extremely small and doesn't bleed past its boarders. With that said Bravo Patrick! Show them what you can do.

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 12:53PM

NO!!! I looked for the Gap Euro collection for fall and was disappointed that it was not there. My favorite dress that defines my style is a dress from the gap euro collection. Also, the items ran small which means the smallest size fit me - even a tailored jacket. Very disappointed with their "normal" line - I ordered the plaid dress and it looked so, so terrible and the fabric was gross, thin and just weired. VERY SAD ABOUT NO MORE GAP EURO!!!!

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 1:33PM

As an aside, we ALL know how Patrick got where he is at the Gap, don't we....?

posted by helene

Aug 11, 2008 2:19PM

guest 9, no we do not! Care to spread the knowledge??!

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 2:26PM

I think he can definitely do it. I definitely feel a trend toward north american dressing, both in what i personally desire and what well-dressed people are wearing. Actually, I think some of what we think of as the best euro brands are really just a re-iteration of the best of american styles (not necessarily what you see on the street these days, of course). I am thinking specifically of a.p.c. I mean, collegiate dressing (again, not the what college kids actually wear to class, mostly) is really american dressing, don't you think? And that seems to be what all of the really chic people want right now...maybe it is just my taste, though...

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 2:37PM

#10--he is married to Virginia Smith, I forget her exact title but something like "Market Editor" at Vogue....hence why she is always seen wearing GAP with Balenciaga....

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 2:42PM

Addendum: I use the term "married" loosely...infer what you will.

Also, if you don't believe me, count the number of GAP ad pages in the past few issues of Vogue.

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 2:45PM

Too bad I didn't even know the Gap had a European collection until this article. Sounds like I missed something good.

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 3:14PM

Good God. It is simple. All he has to do is actually produce the collection he did for Perry Ellis a few Springs ago. It was fabulous and never made it off the "runway" (he showed it on models in the showroom). A few of those dresses in great prints and solids, a couple of slim cut blazers (subtle puff sleeves please!) and a few pairs of Pierre Hardy for GAP heels and it is done. Throw in a few good clutches/bags/basics too. It’s a no brainer. I’d buy the whole collection and I haven’t been inside a GAP store since high school…

posted by guest

Aug 11, 2008 7:38PM

I think its really lame to infer that Patrick cheats on his wife and got his job because of her. I am sure as Market Director at Vogue she has clout however he also worked at Perry and at Paco and they didn't advertise in vogue. Gap has always been a huge advertiser in Vogue they have been doing programs with them for years - He is a great designer and there is no reason to talk shit about his talent just because your jealous that his wide is in a covetable position at a a top magazine. Personally I don't shop at the gap for much more than gap body or tanks or clothes for my son but things look cute. I would possibly rock the trench they are doing for fall.

posted by guest

Aug 13, 2008 2:41PM

This is really disappointing- I never really shopped at the Gap much at all until they introduced the European collection, and I bought quite a few bits from the two (?) seasons they had it. I haven't a clue who Patrick Robinson is, so can't say I'm at all curious to see his designs.