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We’ve talked a lot about how mall brands are back. Gap, Old Navy and Abercrombie & Fitch have had major moments in the past few years, and we’re even seeing Hollister creep back into the zeitgeist. Banana Republic, part of Gap Inc., is ready for its moment: The retailer teamed up with New York-based womenswear brand La Ligne on a 36-piece collection that launches Wednesday.
“La Ligne felt like a natural partner for us because there is such a strong alignment in how we both think about a modern wardrobe,” Meena Avary, CMO of Banana Republic, tells Fashionista via email. “They have a very distinct point of view, and it’s grounded in pieces that are both timeless and versatile with a real appreciation for quality.”
La Ligne was founded in 2016 by former Vogue editors Meredith Melling and Valerie Macaulay, along with Molly Howard, formerly head of business development at Rag & Bone. The trio set out to create a brand full of timeless items that go beyond chasing trends. For this collection, they went into the Banana Republic archives to reimagine some of the legacy brand’s most iconic pieces that stand the test of time.
“From the onset of our conversations, there was a real excitement from Meredith, Molly and Valerie to explore Banana Republic’s archive,” Avary continues. “Those references are reinterpreted through modern proportions, styling and La Ligne’s signature approach to stripes. There’s a clear and cohesive perspective.”
Photo: Courtesy of Banana Republic
“[The archives] was such a rich place to work from [with] decades of design history to explore,” Valerie Macaulay adds. “Our job was bringing our lens to that heritage: our love of stripes, our attention to detail, our insistence on quality.”
You’ll see small nods to La Ligne throughout the collection, she explains: The number three shows up for the three co-founders in cuffs and buckles and stripes, alongside Banana Republic’s own codes, like the asymmetrical button details that reference its archives. Those details speak to the larger idea behind the collaboration: Rather than simply putting La Ligne’s signature touches onto Banana Republic pieces, the two brands wanted to find the overlap between their respective design languages.
“We’re at a point where we’ve established what La Ligne stands for, and Banana Republic felt like a partner that could meet us there rather than pull us somewhere unfamiliar,” Molly Howard says. “There’s a real kinship in values, a belief in quality, in pieces built to last, in style that’s classic without being boring.”
The brands tapped actor Zoey Deutch to star in the campaign, shot and directed by Andrew Jacobs. “Zoey has an innate sense of style that feels both timeless and modern, with an ease and individuality that is entirely her own,” Avary says. “We wanted the campaign to feel intimate, playful and lived-in. The Tribeca loft and documentary-inspired approach helped create that world, and Zoey brought an ease to it that made the story feel very real.”
Photo: Courtesy of Banana Republic
The collection retails for $20 to $1,500 and includes everything from striped tees and tanks to button-downs, blouses, sweaters, trousers and dresses, but the outerwear seems to spark the most excitement. “The nubuck barn jacket, the belted suede wrap coat and an oversized cape trench with a removable corduroy collar all feel like true investment pieces,” Valerie Macaulay says. “We also loved how the wool suit came together, with a nipped-in waist and wide-leg trouser that gives it a modern silhouette.”
Shop the entire Banana Republic x La Ligne collection below.
The Drapey Ponte Pull-On Pant, $180, available here
The Relaxed Viscose Tunic, $200, available here
The Silk Twill Bandana, $80, available here
The Striped Sock, $35, available here
The Slim Blazer, $350, available here
The Hair Scrunchie, $20, available here
The Cashmere Utility Sweater, $350, available here
The Cotton Corduroy Shirt, $200, available here
The Cotton Crew-Neck Sweater, $200, available here
The Cropped Cotton Cardigan, $250, available here
The Mesh Maxi Dress, $250, available here
The Cotton Poplin Tunic, $150, available here
The Relaxed Cotton Crew-Neck T-Shirt, $70, available here
The Cropped Cotton Sweater Tank, $180, available here
The Boxy Cotton T-Shirt, $60, available here
The Wide-Leg Cotton Chino, $200, available here
The High-Rise Cotton Culotte, $150, available here
The Wide-Leg Cotton Corduroy Pant, $220, available here
The Cape Trench Coat, $600, available here
The Nubuck Barn Coat, $900, available here
The Suede Wrap Midi Skirt, $600, available here
The Suede Wrap Coat, $1,500, available here
The Viscose Midi Shirt Dress, $250, available here
The Wide-Leg Pant, $250, available here
