Good afternoon- late for me to be posting but been a day and a half. I happen to work across the street from Chelsea Market, where there happens to be many top notch sample sales. It's not great for the wallet but is a nice lunchtime diversion. Today's offering, through Sunday, is the glorious Rag and Bone event. Listen, it's full of zillions of super fans and though I'd love a pair of discount Newbury boots ($195 at sale), what struck me is that here is a brand that represents that uniquely American/rock and roll/effortless chic/cool thing that the Gap used to own. Yes, their price points are way higher than the Gap ever was, but I feel like this is a customer the Gap should be watching very closely. The basics Rag and Bone do are done so very well- denim jackets and classic trenches with leather sleeves to give them a bit of bad assery, while their Moto and aforementioned Newbury boots are fast becoming fashion girl classics. Their tee shirts are great, their dresses could go anywhere, and their jeans are as great downtown as they are for uptown girls. I also find that the brand has tremendous appeal to Europeans who dig on that easy, breezy, American cool vibe and want to bring it back home and interpret with their own twist. Plus all of their stuff, as I seem to remember, is made right here in this country, so there's a premium to pay for that. Oh, and their clothes somehow manage to always make you feel sexy, even on your most blah days.
I'm just saying that the Gap should look to offer great/cool basics at lower prices and they could once again rule the roost. They've hired the designer from higher end H&M Euro brand Cos (you know I LIVE for that store) to come in and change the game. I think they should focus less on being Zara (trendy knockoffs of now now now runway pieces) and more like Rag and Bone (instant must have cool classics) but at better prices. That's what the Gap used to do really well- basics that were classic and cool all at once. I worked on the Gap for a hot minute and often thought you can do all the great ads you want, but you gotta fix those clothes. I'm a huge Gap fan and am anxious to see what this new designer will do, but if I were her, I'd be watching the genius of Rag and Bone very closely- because every girl and boy who was at the sale was there for the love of the brand, and its ability to make us all look slightly cooler than we already are. Hats off Rag and Boneage. You're tops in my book. Cause that's what's up this beautiful summer day made cooler by Rag and Bone. I still have high hopes for the Gap. All the love. XO
Oh and for those sample sale addicts, look what's happening this month, courtesy of Racked. OMG. The Opening Ceremony sale starts Friday so perhaps cash in those pennies and bring lunch at work for the next few days:
http://ny.racked.com/archives/2013/06/08/june_sample_sales_1.php