February 2012
7 posts
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Meet the New Monogram Suiting
Well suited — our new Monogram collection is in stores now… and it means business. This collection of fine men’s suits is made of 100% Italian fabrics, with a focus on razor-sharp tailoring and elevated details. To get the finer points on all things Monogram, we sat down with Sharon K. from our merchandising department.
BR: What are the key features of the new Monogram suiting?...
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SFMade, Again
Popping up again — SFMade unveiled its second pop-up shop last week in our Grant Avenue flagship store. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with SFMade once again to help support local businesses from San Francisco (just like us!)
This time around, the shop is selling chic products including scentsational florals and succulents (By Madeline Trait, Lila B.), as well as handcrafted...
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Around the Office: Plaid Pumps
Spotted — We couldn’t help but stop and take notice of these eye-catching plaid pumps worn by Stephanie S. from our marketing department.
Talk about kicking up your heels!
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Spring 2012: New Work
Our new spring collection? Workwear-inspired, office not required. With smart tailoring and fresh colors, this is versatile style that always works — meetings to martinis, overtime to time off. Finally, a wardrobe that answers the call of duty — then goes beyond.
Click read more below to see the entire campaign with models Shalom Harlow and David Gandy, photographed by Carter Smith.
...
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Springing Up Soon
Ready to get mad? Back by popular demand, our mad new Mad Men® collection, refreshed for spring.
While we can’t show you everything just yet, we can give you a little tease with three looks from the 40-piece country club-inspired collection coming March 1.
On her: Rose-Print Cardi Pretty petals in 100% combed cotton with ¾ length sleeve and grosgrain ribbon placket. Cigarette Pant...
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March Madness
While not launching until March 1, we thought we’d give you another tease of the upcoming Spring 2012 Mad Men collection with this beautiful sketch by our creative director Simon Kneen.
We’re counting down the days with you.
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Spring Is In the Air
Fresh for spring! Our new fragrance, Wildbloom Vert, launched last week as a sister scent to the popular Wildbloom. We sat down with merchandise manager JoEllen D. to find out what inspired this fresh new fragrance and what the future holds for the Wildbloom line.
BR: How would you describe the scent of Wildbloom Vert? Inspirations? Main notes? JoEllen: Wildbloom Vert is a very fresh and...
January 2012
10 posts
8 tags
Bonjour Paris
We recently opened our first store in Paris on the famed Avenue des Champs Élysées, no less. Of course, we threw a magnificent fete with full-on red carpet to celebrate our French debut. Ooh la la!
The most fashionable Parisians, including the mayor, top fashion editors and celebrities, toasted our arrival, enjoyed a Banana Republic fashion show and shopped the night away. By closing time, 5200...
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Classically Inspired
While catching up with a favorite film this weekend — the Hitchcock classic, To Catch a Thief — we couldn’t help but notice how great those nautical stripes look on Mr. Grant (and how on trend they are for spring)!
We got to wondering what other classic icons we could find wearing this timeless look. Here are a few images we came across. If inspiration were a crime, we’d gladly be...
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Five Easy Lessons
While this post has been going around for a bit, it’s always nice to have a refresher in good manners, gentlemen (especially if, like us, you plan on cutting loose this weekend)!
Tom Ford’s five easy lessons on how to be a modern gentleman:
1. You should put on the best version of yourself when you go out in the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around ...
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A Gem of an Idea
Running out of motivation on those New Year’s resolutions? (Us too.) So when we came across this charming solution via A Pair & A Spare on how to conquer that mess of tangled earrings, chains and bracelets that winds up on our nightstands every week, we were thrilled. The best part? It’s DIY!
Think bowls, cake stands, simple corkboard and more. We love the idea of your...
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Just Wrapped: Summer 2012 Photoshoot
All this week our team has been painstakingly putting together the hottest summer ever during the cold New York winter (we’re from California — 42º is chilly to us!)
Of course, we wouldn’t leave you guessing. Take a peek at what went on behind the scenes and let the countdown to summer style begin.
1. Photographer Andreas bends over backwards to get the shot. 2. Anouck is...
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Get Keen on Kneen
Men’s Health magazine recently caught up with our creative director Simon Kneen to pick his brain about everything from where he gets his design inspiration to what’s on his playlist and his biggest styling pet peeves for men. Check out the Q&A for all this—plus a lot more fun Simon facts.
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Tie One On
As we head into the weekend, just wanted to share a little something for the fellas. Think dapper done easy with this fun and simple to follow instructional guide on how to tie a bow tie we happened to “tumblr” across.
Illustration by Conor Whelan for 2011 Trinity Ball Magazine.
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Modern Nautical Rules
Classic styles with a nod to nautical are what every guy needs in his closet right now. Think straight-up stripes, sweaters that pay homage to the coolest of captains and iconic peacoats with military detailing. Mix and match neutrals with bold color and a range of textures for looks that are undeniably modern.
Our see-worthy new collection, now available.
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Spotted Everywhere: Stripes.
Modern stripes, dots and bold pops of color. Give your wardrobe a new lease on chic — with key pieces every girl needs on her way to spring.
Our bold new collection, now available.
December 2011
8 posts
1 tag
See You Next Year
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Holiday Intermission
With the holidays on the horizon, we set about our offices to ask a few people for recommendations on films worth catching up on during our down time.
Geoff W. Graphic Designer Bill Cunningham: New York
“Bill Cunningham pioneered the ‘on the street’ fashion photography we see so many places today. It’s truly inspiring listening to him talk about his many years of...
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On the Set with a Top (Dog) Model
We recently chatted up the star of our Holiday gift card campaign, Lily. She graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her photoshoot in San Francisco. Check out our Q&A and behind-the-scenes photos below.
BR: How did you enjoy shooting with Banana Republic? Lily: It was doggone amazing. I enjoyed meeting everyone and working with such a fantastic team. They were very good at giving...
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WHOWHATWEAR GOES BANANA(S) FOR ONE OF OUR OWN
And we can’t blame them … Tara McCollum, our Director of Public Relations, is one talented, multi-tasking chic lady. WhoWhatWear and our friends at the COVETEUR caught up with Tara in her colorful, seriously stylish (and, yes, covetable) NYC work digs for the most recent installment of the fab Fashion Office feature.
We asked Tara what it was like being on the other side of the camera....
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Make Merry Go Round With The Holly Jolly Wish List
Look no further for the gifts you can’t wait to give— or get. InStyle magazine’s style ambassador Annabel Tollman has chosen her favorite sparkly, cozy and colorful pieces from the Banana Republic Holiday Collection. The result? A very merry, easy-to-shop gift guide for all the (naughty and nice) guys and girls on your list. Ready, set, G-I-F-T.
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A Festive (and Early) New Year's Eve Celebration
Sparkly holiday dresses, fantastic wine, chic company— and, yum, fresh popcorn. Who says you need a Times Square countdown for a rocking December 31st? Clearly not our favorite bloggers and editors who partied the night away in NYC, at our private, advanced screening of the new movie New Year’s Eve.
Get inspired to ring in 2012 in high (wattage) style. 10, 9, 8, 7….
1. Kelly of The...
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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year—With Karen...
‘Tis the season … to chat with our favorite redheaded muse, model and star of the Banana Republic Holiday 2011 campaign. Thank you, Karen Elson for giving us your take on the most festive time of year. You always make our spirits bright—in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Check out the Q&A below. BR: What are your must-haves this holiday? KE: Hermes blanket, Serge Lutens perfume,...
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Just In: Under the Mistletoe with Our Holiday 2011...
One of the best things about the holiday season is the preparation — obsessing over how to decorate your favorite outfit (or tree) with the perfect accessories. No one knows this better than the creative geniuses at the COVETEUR, a divine fashion site that specializes in sharing the personal spaces of style’s chicest names. That’s precisely why we invited their crew to document our holiday photo...
November 2011
8 posts
3 tags
TGIT. Coast to Coast.
(Thank God It’s Thanksgiving) One of our favorite holidays, Thanksgiving always proves to be a blast. Filled with food, family, friends, football and, yes, shopping. We thought it would be fun to ask two of our own what they’ve got cooking this year.
Julia from our HQ in SF and Mark from our agency in NYC, answer that age-old question: Should stuffing have raisins or not?
Banana Republic...
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JINGLE BELLE FROCK
For our Holiday 2011 campaign, we snuck off to one of our favorite locations in NYC’s Greenwich Village. With Carter Smith behind the camera shooting Karen Elson and Andrew Cooper, it was a very merry shoot.
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SF HAS IT MADE
San Francisco has it made, literally, right in our backyard. SF Made and our Grant Avenue flagship store are teaming up for the holidays to support small companies making big marks with the best local finds around. From rich chocolates and one-of-a-kind bags to aromatic concoctions and sweet little love notes. Find a treasure and leave your heart…in San Francisco.
1. Etta + Billie Etta + Billie...
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SNEAK PEEK: Clooney rocks Banana for Rolling...
Ahhhh… Clooney and Banana Republic’s Moto Jacket. Doesn’t get much cooler. Check him (and us) out on the November 24th cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. We think he wears us well… don’t forget to look inside to see how well. Damn, he’s cool.
Photo Mark Seliger
This Rolling Stone cover and article were styled by Sean Spellman, one of our favorite stylists. To see behind the scenes shots,...
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SPOTTED: Katie Lee Simply Sparkles
Katie Lee shined in The Sparkle Shift Dress from our Holiday Collection at last night’s Clos du Bois Editor Event. It’s crystal clear, soiree season is here. We’ll toast to that!
Top Photo: Katie Lee, Bottom Photo: Gary Sitton, Clos du Bois winemaker, and Katie Lee
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LONDON CALLING
Our design team just returned from a quick jaunt to London and came home jet-lagged but inspired. We asked one of our women’s designers, Omar, about what moved him.
1. Blue House, Knightsbridge, 2. Vintage boxing gloves soccer ball and cricket bat at Portobello Market, 3. Urban Scarecrow, QEH rooftop garden, Southbank Center, 4. Pink Door, Carriage House, Knightsbridge, 5. iType by...
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TALKING TEXTURE
Think chunky cardigans. Wool pants. Tweed jackets. Altogether. Mixed and matched — that’s where the real cool factor comes in. It’s amazing how a cable sweater layered over The Great White Shirt can become a modern revelation. Your turn to texture.
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A MATCH MADE IN WINE-MAKING HEAVEN
Since we’re partnering with Clos du Bois this holiday season, we jumped at the chance to ask their head wine-maker, Gary Sitton, a few questions. And he took us, quite literally, on a tour…
1. Grape leaves, 2. Corner Office, 3. Gary and Clos du Bois winemaking team, 4. Gary and grape grower Katie Sereni, 5. ‘The Usual’ at Jimtown Store in Healdsburg, 6. All in a...
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I ♥ NYC
Last week, our graphic designer, Geoff, was climbing the corporate ladder (literally) attending his first photo shoot for our January 2012 collection. But this wasn’t the only first for him—up until now he’d never been to New York City!
So how did he fare his first time in the Big Apple? Check out his photos and Q&A session below.
1. A Grand (Street) morning. 2. BR January 2012...
October 2011
18 posts
7 tags
From Me to You …and Simon too.
Our very own Simon Kneen mixes it up with super cool From Me To You at the SP/SU Fashion Show. Check him out mid sketch …pretty moving!
fromme-toyou:
Sketching his vision for spring~
Creative Director Simon Kneen of Banana Republic
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JUST IN: Behind the Doors of Banana Republic /...
Great news! This Spring/Summer 2012 behind the scenes post from blogger From Me to You just went live, and the photos look gorgeous! Enjoy!
fromme-toyou:
A team of talented people, an army of beautiful models, the most charming designer whose illustrations I’m obsessed with…
Banana Republic opened their studio doors to capture the process from model fittings, styling, hair and makeup tests...
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CLOS DU BOIS
This season we’ve partnered with Clos du Bois to create limited edition wine bottles with labels designed by our very own Creative Director Simon Kneen. We can’t wait to start the party —- Cheers!
glamour:
It’s never too early to start celebrating the holidays, especially when the wine bottles look this fabulous (and feature a smart phone scan-able code that unlocks a party...
15 tags
HADRIAN'S FALL MIX
Our Senior Visual Manager, and after hours music guru, Hadrian, tunes into the season with his must-have Fall playlist. Listen up.
Photo Lol Keegan
1. “Southern Point” (Grizzly Bear) / New York 2. “You’ll Disappear” (The Phenomenal Handclap Band) / New York 3. “Amor Fati” (Washed Out) / Atlanta, Georgia 4. “Guns and Horses” (Ellie...
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9 TO 5 CHIC
(NOTES ON THE LUCKY DOZEN: The BR Monogram Sequin Pencil Skirt)
We asked 9to5Chic to pick her favorite Lucky Dozen piece and work her magic with it. Ordinary? Never. Extraordinary? Always….read on for her style tips.
Banana Republic (BR:) How would you describe your personal style? 9to5Chic: Simple: 9-to-5-Chic! I love finding new ways to bring personality into my work-wear. BR: Fashion...
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100% CHIC FROM THE BOTTOM UP
This Fall don’t just skirt the issue, button things up. Our Madeline skirt is quite possibly the season’s favorite and is bound to be the common denominator to all your Fall toppers. Get busy. Get buttoned.
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FALL IN LOVE WITH THE LUCKY DOZEN
13 KEY PIECES. 31 DAYS OF STYLE.
Lucky Magazine is smitten with Banana Republic’s Fall Collection. Style Contributor Lori Bergamotto handpicked her 13 favorite pieces to star in 31 head-to-toe looks. Get inspired — and then style these chic essentials your way.
Click here to check out 31 Days of Style.
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GQ MAGAZINE / THE FALL FIVE
5 KEY PIECES. 10 DISTINCT LOOKS.
Time to update your fall wardrobe with five new essentials. GQ Magazine’s Executive Merchandising Stylist Brett Fahlgren picks his must-have, most versatile pieces. Dressed up or down—it all adds up to five times the style.
Click here to check out Brett’s STYLE LEDGER blog about The Fall Five.
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WE (HEART) PETER LINDBERGH
Legendary photographer Peter Lindbergh spent two days of quality time with us on the Fall Campaign. Needless to say, we were inspired.
Photo Donata Wenders
Not only is he one of our favorite shutterbugs, but we’ve discovered he’s a writer too. Check out this essay unearthed from the deep recesses of his archives:
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AT THE BOWERY
The Fall show staged at The Bowery Hotel in Manhattan’s LES had a great fall lineup. From industry faves and watercooler besties to our beloved design team, everyone was buzzing about everything Fall.
1. Vogue’s Virginia Smith & Meredith Melling Burke, 2. Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey, 3. A Fine Frenzy’s Omar Cowan & Alison Sudol, 4. ELLE’s Kate...
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CLASSIC RULES
It¹s not complicated—it¹s actually the opposite. Classic just works. Then. Now. Always. It¹s streamlined thinking and great looking. The crisp white shirt. The perfect tailored black pant. A new suit that speaks more to personal style than tradition. Because you know a thing or two about what works. Sure, they say clothes don’t make the man (or woman), but those rules don’t matter when...
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THE GREAT WHITE SHIRT
Perhaps the single greatest invention. Add a modern twist and, voilà, timeless chic with a wink. Think ruffles in all the right places, a standout collar or playful polka dots. Dare to tuck it in—or untuck it for effortless style. Either way, make room for it for Fall forever.
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FALL FOR COLOR
Choose a color, any color… Violet. Gold. Purple. The perfect shade of orange. Pair it with an amazing neutral and see how that color pops. Whether it’s a peek beneath a jacket or a bold splash that announces you as you enter a room, just add color. Simply brilliant for Fall.
Ceramics Photo Jeffery Cross
Pears Photo Gentl & Hyers
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DIRECTORS' CUT
Our favorite fashion and style directors highlight what they’re loving most about this season’s collection. We know what we’ll be wearing!
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WALK THIS WAY
Sit back and fall for all of it! Color, texture, classics with modern proportions. Our Fall/Holiday show leaves everything to be desired, because you’ll want it all. We do. Enjoy.