Gap Eliminates Creative Director Position
Earlier today, Gap announced that it was parting ways with Creative Director Rebekka Bay. And, perhaps even more surprisingly, that no one would take her place. The news that the SF-based brand is eliminating that powerful position comes just one week after they announced the shuttering of Piperlime, the women’s online store founded back in 2006. Both these changes are a direct result of Art Peck, Gap’s new CEO, who is slated to officially begin his role at the beginning of next month.
January’s not even over and already this year has seen major turnover at a slew of brands. Last week, C. Wonder, the preppy label started by Tory Burch’s ex-husband Christopher Burch, filed for bankruptcyafter just a few years in business. Meanwhile at J.Crew, two top level executives—the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer— announced their departures within three weeks of each other. (This after what has been an almost disastrous year for sales at J.Crew.)
Related: Jenna Lyons’ Social Life Is the Least of J.Crew’s Problems
Rebekka Bay, former Gap Creative Director.
This morning, Kate Spade announced that it is shutting down its freestanding Jack Spade and Saturday stores, despite strong numbers for 2014. Saturday will be merged into the Kate Spade New York stores, while Jack Spade will be sold online (and wholesale). Earlier this month, mall favorite Wet Seal revealed its plan to immediately close 66% of its stores and lay off 3,700 employees. Although economists were hopeful that retail sales would increase in January, spurred in part by low gas prices, that’s been far from the case.
Related: Bloggers Gabi Gregg, Nicolette Mason, and Chastity Garner Talk Target
And US-based consumer businesses aren’t the only ones shuffling about. The high-fashion world has seen its fair number of doors revolved, with recent changes at Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Nina Ricci. This month, it was Gucci’s turn, as designer Frida Giannini departed one week before the brand’s menswear collection was shown, forcing a speedy re-design by associate designer Alessandro Michele, who was subsequently named creative director for the label. Gucci’s former CEO, Patrizio di Marco, who was also Giannini’s husband, also departed earlier this year after 2014’s decline in revenue reversed the brand’s growth rate in previous years.
Looks like awkward breakups and clean slates are 2015’s first big trends.
