A close copy of Zac Posen’s first collection in his new role as creative director of Gap is not quite “the” dress that was custom made for her.
There’s a lot of attention in this outfit. A limited number of a more affordable ( less revealing ) version of The Devil Wears Prada star’s original went on sale in the United States and were stocked up in six hours after the initial viral hits went viral on social media.
Tomorrow, Gap will release the clothing in anticipation of a frantic rush to purchase it for £120.
You need to know a little bit about history to understand why a light fabric clothing clothing has caused such a stir.
Second, Zac Posen. The American architect announced the closing of his own label in 2019 after 20 years, which shocked the A-list female celebrities who rely on him for their Red Carpet Slayers.
Posen was the savior of Hollywood: a creative and creative woman who created both present and strong women at once. Beautiful, form fitting, female dresses were his stock in trade, cleverly combining ancient school beauty with a clear top and polish.
Look up the dress Kate Winslet wore to the 2009 Baftas (a va va voom, hourglass black halterneck), or pictures of Glenn Close at the 2012 Academy Awards wearing a forest green, strapless, fishtail gown with a matching tuxedo jacket (to name just two) and you’ll see women who never looked better, and looked like they knew it.
But, his appointment as artistic director of Gap in February this year was surprising, to say the least. No one expected the hiring of a custom known for his recollection gowns to resurrect the creaking deliver of Gap, a company renowned for its sweatshirts, hoodies, and other All American staples. Both Gap and inevitably Posen followers were enthralled and eager to learn what would come next.
To thoroughly understand the level of this attention, you need to be mindful of Gap’s story too. Where can you find your smart casual principles, whichever side of the pond you lived, Gap represented the best of British fashionable style in its height in the late 1980s and straight through the 1990s.
When artistic director Jenna Lyons was referred to as the “woman who dresses America,” and Gap started to look more expensive than its sell-by time, this was before the J Crew beautiful time, which was more ambitious and beautiful shopping destination for grown-up preppies.
So it needed to take a brand new turn, and with Zac Posen on panel that’s evidently the goal.
As it happens, his visit might not be quite as heroic as it seems. From 2014 to 2020, Posen was artistic director of womenswear at Brooks Brothers, the label when associated with the button down shirt, range one cornerstone of a bright fashionable wardrobe.
Posen is in a powerful position because fashionable type is currently at the center of developer fashion. He is aware of both sides of the coin.
He is required to create a unique take on the competition in his capacity as artistic chairman of Gap. Sharper. Strongly American, no question, but with a fresh new style twist. There is a difference on the great street waiting to be filled for a more inventive take on the fashionable style because it is not as important as it was when J Crew left it.
Which brings us to Posen’s first dress, which is his (Gap have not yet confirmed if they’ll be releasing any more of his designs). He describes it as a take on the classic white clothing worn by Gap and taking some of Audrey Hepburn’s styling ideas from Roman Holiday.
It has a tight shirt collar, is white, and is also darted at the waistline. It is meant to be worn open to the breastbone without veering off one back in a half-sweetheart neck (the whole darling would be too sweet, this is new and contemporary looking). And it’s long, all the way down to the floor, giving it extra opulence, even if the skirt was intended to be left unbuttoned to the point of hotpants.
The dress embodies the crossover appeal that young women are currently seeking: plain, sporty, feminine, and seductive. However, I’m assuming wealthy women will purchase this in the form of a summertime dress, which will include ankle-strap flat sandals, a ponytail, and dark glasses.
One might go to the beach house with Gwyneth. Sienna might slip one on for a sightseeing expedition. I’d be surprised if Naomi Campbell hasn’t got one already. For those of us who hopped at Gap in the 1980s, it’s too bare and too modern. However, it makes a good start and is optimistic. Let’s see what’s in store come the autumn.