Colour and Sophistication to revive womens retailers
Gap Fall 2013
Fashion observers have noticed a more sophisticated, colourful Gap for Fall 2013. With an inconsistent design, hundreds of store closures and executive swaps, it looks as if the retailer is finally seeing a smoother transition season-to season. The 2013 collections will continue to build off of holiday's sales successes, which allowed for a fourth quarter increase from $218 million to $351 million. The prints and colours can be partially attributed to the return of Tracy Gardner, former J. Crew executive, as creative director. Gap CEO Glenn Murphy acknowledged that they need to bring "more and more uniqueness, differentiation, and excitement to the business" to compete with retailers like H&M, Forever 21 and J. Crew.
J.Crew Fall 2013
If Gap is taking a page from J. Crew's book, how will J.Crew continue to evolve? In a recent interview with Fast Company, Danielle Sacks commented on the team, led by Jenna Lyons, struggling to push the styling of May 2013 catalogue forward. "It looks too much like the copiers," grumbles Wadle. It was pages of models in thick glasses and "Lyon's signature girl-in-her-boyfriend's-clothes look" - which has been mirrored by the Gap.
Colour and sophistication has been an important theme in retail for the last number of years for 30+ women who are just past the contemporary market. Ann Taylor LOFT, which has just opened up in Yorkdale mall, has embraced and seen success from the aesthetic.