From Spring next year there’ll be no need to book a flight to New York to shop at Banana Republic. Just get a train ticket to London and head for Regent Street – as the American chain (0wned by Gap) is set to open in the recently closed, Dickens and Jones Building. And then – just start shopping for sophisticated day and evening outfits and accessories!!
Banana Republic was founded in 1978, in San Francisco by Mel and Patricia Ziegler – he was a writer, she was an artist and according to legend, they met over the Xerox machine at the San Francisco Chronicle. They started out, as a travel and safari themed company, selling safari jackets etc. and at that point had just two stores. They became famous for their catalgogue – illustrated by Patricia and filled with wonderful written descriptions by Mel – and also for the eccentric themed decoration in the stores, which included things like real jeeps and foliage and even fog and steam!!
Since the company was taken over by Gap in 1983, the store has been rebranded as a luxury clothing retailer and operates hundreds of stores across America, 26 in Canada, 2 in Tokyo and soon … 1 in good old London Town. Nowadays the stores are famous for supporting the arts and the new, three floor, store will feature art collections and designer furniture. Take a look at the site for this season’s looks and I will get back to you with pictures of the Spring/Summer collection….
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