News, The Business
Gap Plans to Spin Off 1969 Denim Into Its Own Entity. What Does That Mean for Patrick Robinson?
By Lauren Sherman
In another major move at the corporate level, Gap Inc. has hired former Seven for All Mankind exec Rosella Giuliani to run the 1969 division of Gap. At Seven for All Mankind, Giuliani was in charge of both merchandising and design.
Company CEO Glenn Murphy recognizes that Gap–its core brand–is also its weakest link, and he wants to make 1969 its shining star. (Think of 1969 as Gap’s Free People. You used to be able to buy Free People stuff at Urban Outfitters, but now it’s in department stores and its own boutiques.)
Giuliani will report to chief designer Patrick Robinson. She’ll also report to Marka Hansen, president of Gap North America.
Do we think this news hints that Robinson is on his way out?
Look, Murphy isn’t a fashion guy. He used to run drug stores. And more than anything, he cares about making money. While we don’t think Robinson is in danger just yet, he won’t be at Gap a year from now if things haven’t improved.
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that maybe.. just maybe.. they'll start producing decent clothes again…http://126king.blogspot.com/
Well…of course he cares about making money, he's the CEO. A decent CEO will hire creative talent and let them do their thing, although most rarely do. At least this new brand speaks to the core Gap customer, it's been one of their few shining stars (both financially and fashion-wise). I wish they would just allow their Gap brand to be a destination for basics at a good value. They seem to have been trying that for awhile, but it's very hit or miss.I know you said the other day that Gap has been on a steady decline for years, but the company's comp sales have been strong for a bit. However, I am not sure if you were talking about the Gap brand or the company overall. I assume Piperlime buoys their overall performance significantly.
Interesting. I like the idea of 1969 being it's own entity.
Love Gap Jeans can't go wrong with them.
The company overall is doing okay–Old navy is actually the one saving them. Piperlime doesn't make enough money yet to be super-important to the bottom line.
i love 1969 jeans and as a member of a family that loves the gap, this is a great idea. as of lately, their clothing has been lackluster. you can find the same tees, shirts and others at h&m for cheaper.it's time for the gap co to do something.
those jeans are amazing-everyone i've introduced to them is a convert! i'd buy them wherever and however they sold them.
They need a total brand re-invention at Gap. The current folks at the top have played out every operational nuance they can to prop up the metrics, but bottom line is that work is done. What they haven't done is leverage all the great operational power and put it behind anything really creative and daring. Its one size fits all branding, with kids & baby and Men & Women all marketed under this one giant, generic umbrella. But that's not the way people dress, or think about dressing. I have said and will say it again: Put someone like Tom Ford in charge. They don't need a money watcher CEo, the CFO has done that for years. They have so many evp and svp and p's to worry about that stuff that it hurts. What they need at the top is a creative visionary, not a stock market watcher.