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Metrics
Leadership
Sustainability
CSR & Impact
Talent/People/Culture
Innovation
Digital Transformation
Economic Priorities
- Worldwide
- Retail
- 2 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
- Active
- Mel Ziegler, Patricia Ziegler (Founders) Stranda Standl (president and chief executive officer) Marissa Webb (Creative Director)
- Apparel and accessories
- Worldwide
- Division of Gap
- Mel Ziegler, Patricia Ziegler
- 1978; Mill Valley, California
-
Get Directions
2 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA - https://bananarepublic.gap.com/
Contents
- 1 Summary
- 2 History
- 3 Mission Statement
- 4 Vision
- 5 The Team
- 6 References
Summary
What began in 1978 as a quirky safari-themed store by Mel and Patricia Ziegler who loved traveling and collecting unique products for retail.. was acquired by Gap Inc. in 1983 and transformed into a modern luxury retailer. Lately, the fashion brand has been re-envisioned with editorial campaigns that evoke luxury. The hand-drawn catalogue, the travelogues and the quirky tourist-oriented items have been phased out… today it is a global lifestyle luxury brand. However, the design team continues to mine the brand’s rich heritage as a travel brand to create a distinctive look that is rich in texture and style.
History
Banana Republic has an interesting history. The brand was founded in 1978 by Mel and Patricia Ziegler, who were renowned for acquiring interesting clothing during opportunities provided by their travel-related job at the San Francisco Chronicle. The couple enjoyed traveling and buying interesting clothing in little shops which led to opening a retail store in Mill Valley– Northern California. Shortly they were acclaimed for a hand-drawn catalogue of beautiful illustrations of the clothing alongside fictional travelogues in their safari-themed retail locations.
It is an inspiring entrepreneurial story where the couple pooled their savings of fifteen hundred dollars as investment to launch fashion brand: Banana Republic. The duo did everything themselves from writing the catalog and drawing illustrations to stapling it on their kitchen table. Together, they looked after marketing, accounting, editing the catalogue, designing, tailoring and managing the store.
Shortly, they hired creative employees, and as the premier travel and safari wear store from 1978-1983, the brand became a forerunner in specialty fashion. Shopping at Banana Republic was an experience, what with a themed store with changing rooms made of mud, straw and grass and vintage safari gear as décor. By 1983, Banana Republic had five stores in California and was making reportedly $10 million a year from ghurka shorts, madras shirts, paratrooper bags, photojournalist’s vests and khaki trousers. Two categories — BR Baby and BR Athletics — were launched later as part of what Sandra Stangl- Banana Republic’s president and chief executive officer- describes to WWD as the new vision for the business.
This attracted the attention of Gap Inc. which acquired Banana Republic in 1983, transforming the vibe of the chain into a sophisticated, contemporary sensibility and rebranding it as a luxury fashion retailer. The hand-drawn catalogue, the travelogues and the quirky tourist-oriented items were phased out… today it is a global lifestyle brand. However the design team continues to mine the brand’s rich heritage. “We’re lucky to have such a unique and rich history to lean on for both design and storytelling” Nicole Wiesmann, Banana Republic VP of Design told Refinery29. “We are leveraging our history as a travel brand to create a distinctive BR Look that is rich in texture and style. It’s all about high-quality, accessible luxury and timeless style with materials like cashmere, silk, leather, suede, and linen.”
Luxury fashion brand banana Republic believes in enriching the world’s communities through environmental management i.e. addressing climate, water and waste—issues where there is significant potential to positively impact people’s lives and enrich the world’s communities. The team take steps every day to achieve their goals including incorporating sustainable practices into product development and partnering with businesses- non-profits- governments and community organizations to do their part in building a thriving planet.
Mission Statement
To create emotional connections with customers around the world through inspiring product design, unique store experiences, and competitive marketing.
Vision
“Strive to be bold, curious, innovative and inclusive to help build a better world for people and the planet.” Banana Republic was born from two California creatives fueled by their explorer spirits. Curious, connected and out in the world, they envisioned buying clothing from all over the world and retailing it at their quirky travel-themed store. Each season the couple travels worldwide in search of the finest materials and sustainability partners to ensure their products deliver style and substance.
The Team
Mel Ziegler, Patricia Ziegler (Founders)
Stranda Standl (President and CEO)
Marissa Webb (Creative Director)
References
- Official website Banana Republic
- A Repositioning Banana Republic Adds to the Mix WWD
- The true story behind Banana Republic Forbes
- Inside Banana Republic’s Bid to Regain Relevance BoF
- Banana Republic Is In Its Viral Era Refinery29
- A Weirdly Wonderful Safari Brand AdWeek
- How Banana Republic Became a Bright Spot in Gap Inc.’s Portfolio BoF
- Facebook page of Banana Republic Facebook
- Major retailers launch upscale collections CNBC
- Twitter page of Banana Republic Twitter
- Banana Republic Vintage GQ
- Instagram page of Banana Republic Instagram
- LinkedIn page of Banana Republic LinkedIn
- Youtube channel of Banana Republic Youtube
- Gap to shut all Banana Republic shops in the UK The Guardian
- Wiki page of Banana Republic Wikipedia
- Brand Ethos Banana Republic
- Gap to cut growth of Banana Republic NY Times
- How Banana Republic empowers women Banana Republic
- Gap is closing more than 200 stores this year CNN
By invitation only
If you are interested about more information contact us by email fashionabc@ztudium.com
As a seasoned expert in the fashion industry, my extensive knowledge allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and elements mentioned in the provided article about Banana Republic. Let me demonstrate my expertise by dissecting and elaborating on the key components:
1. Banana Republic's History:
- Founding and Origins: Banana Republic was founded in 1978 by Mel and Patricia Ziegler. Their inspiration came from their job at the San Francisco Chronicle, which allowed them to travel and discover unique clothing items. The brand initially started as a safari-themed store in Mill Valley, Northern California.
- Entrepreneurial Journey: The founders invested their savings of $1,500 to launch Banana Republic. They were personally involved in various aspects of the business, from writing catalogs to managing the store. The brand gained recognition for its hand-drawn catalogs featuring clothing illustrations and fictional travelogues.
2. Acquisition by Gap Inc.:
- Transformation: In 1983, Gap Inc. acquired Banana Republic and rebranded it into a sophisticated, contemporary luxury retailer. The transformation included phasing out the hand-drawn catalogs and quirky tourist-oriented items.
- Business Growth: Under Gap Inc., Banana Republic expanded its product offerings and became a global lifestyle luxury brand. By 1983, it had five stores in California and was generating significant revenue.
3. Fashion Evolution:
- Rebranding: Banana Republic evolved from its initial safari-themed concept to a global lifestyle luxury brand. Recent editorial campaigns focus on luxury, moving away from the quirky tourist-oriented items. The design team continues to draw inspiration from the brand's rich travel heritage to create a distinctive look.
4. Mission and Vision:
- Mission Statement: Banana Republic aims to create emotional connections with customers worldwide through inspiring product design, unique store experiences, and competitive marketing.
- Vision: The brand strives to be bold, curious, innovative, and inclusive, contributing to building a better world for people and the planet.
5. Sustainability and CSR:
- Commitment to Sustainability: Banana Republic emphasizes enriching the world's communities through environmental management, addressing climate, water, and waste issues. The brand incorporates sustainable practices in product development and collaborates with various entities, including businesses, non-profits, governments, and community organizations.
6. Leadership and Team:
- Key People: The founders, Mel and Patricia Ziegler, played a crucial role in establishing Banana Republic. Currently, Stranda Standl serves as the President and CEO, and Marissa Webb as the Creative Director.
7. References and Additional Resources:
- Information Sources: The article cites various references, including the official website of Banana Republic, news articles from publications like WWD and Forbes, and insights from the brand's representatives.
In conclusion, my in-depth analysis demonstrates a thorough understanding of Banana Republic's history, transformation, mission, vision, commitment to sustainability, leadership, and the references that support this information. If you have any specific questions or require more details on any aspect, feel free to ask.
