Banana Republic Launches Exclusive Offer with Gilt Groupe for the First-Ever "Mad Men" Series-Inspired Collection

NEW YORK, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Banana Republic and AMC are extending their promotional marketing partnership for a third year to include the first-ever "Mad Men" series-inspired collection in all of Banana Republic's North American retail locations and online at www.bananarepublic.com beginning August 11, 2011. As part of this year's campaign, Banana Republic is partnering with Gilt Groupe, an innovative online shopping destination, as a means of reaching an even broader base of "Mad Men" fans. Gilt Groupe will offer members exclusive access to key pieces from the retailer's first-ever "Mad Men" series-inspired collection weeks prior to the clothes hitting Banana Republic stores and BananaRepublic.com.  A curated selection of styles for both men and women from the capsule, designed by Banana Republic in collaboration with AMC's Emmy Award-winning "Mad Men" costume designer Janie Bryant will be available in limited quantities on Gilt.com.  This special full-price sale will launch on Gilt.com on Monday, July 25 at 12pm ET and last for 36 hours.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080625/NYW098LOGO)

"We are thrilled to work with Banana Republic on this exclusive opportunity to offer our members a first-look and the ability to purchase the brand's first 'Mad Men' series-inspired capsule collection," says GiltMAN General Manager John Auerbach. "Gilt is proud to offer the most coveted brands at affordable prices to its customers, so it was a natural fit to work with the ever-classic Banana Republic and the aspirational style of AMC's 'Mad Men.'  We hope the partnership will bring instant success to the collection."

Select apparel and accessories pieces from the Banana Republic "Mad Men" capsule collection will be available for men and women at standard retail prices on Gilt.com. Inspired by the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning AMC series "Mad Men," which will be returning to AMC for a fifth season in early 2012, the capsule collection embodies the effortlessly chic, modern take on the cool polish and panache of the 1960s era through the Banana Republic lens of affordable luxury and noticeable quality. The men's collection includes chunky-meets-streamlined knit sweaters, tailored suiting and fitted trousers, as well as classic accessories with character, including a money clip, silk ties, tie bars and fedora hats. The women's pieces are modern yet lady-like including a chic trench coat, tailored dresses, high-waisted skirts, silk tie-neck blouses and statement accessories, such as print scarves and leopard print pump heels.

"Accessible luxury is something both Banana Republic and Gilt Groupe deliver, so this partnership was a natural fit," said Catherine Sadler, Chief Marketing Officer of Banana Republic. "As a retailer ourselves, this is the first time Banana Republic has ever pre-viewed and sold a collection outside of our own channels, and we're excited to see how customers respond."

To be the first to shop for pieces from the "Mad Men" series-inspired collection on July 25, please visit Gilt.com/MadMenCollection to request membership. Join the conversation on Twitter with #BRMadMen

About Gilt Groupe, Inc.

Gilt Groupe, www.gilt.com, is an innovative online shopping destination offering its 3.5 million members special access to the most inspiring merchandise and experiences every day, many at insider prices. Gilt continually searches the world for the most coveted brands, including fashion for women, men and children, home decor, hotels and travel experiences on every continent, and unique activities in a growing list of cities and destinations. We believe that every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired.

About Banana Republic

Banana Republic is a global accessible luxury brand that delivers modern, soulful and effortless style. Banana Republic's lifestyle collections are characterized by elevated design and luxurious fabrications at approachable prices. Banana Republic collections include apparel, handbags, jewelry, fragrance and eyewear. Banana Republic, a division of San Francisco-based, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), can be found at over 600 retail locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, Italy, BananaRepublic.com, BananaRepublic.can, BananaRepublic.eu, or (888) BR-STYLE. In addition, Banana Republic is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit gapinc.com.

Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BananaRepublic / Follow BR on Twitter, @BananaRepublic.

About AMC

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series three years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe® Award for Best Television Series - Drama for three consecutive years.  Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories.  AMC's original stories include "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "The Killing" and "Hell on Wheels."  AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with AMC's Docu-Stories, a slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC's Can't Get Enough and AMC's Crazy About.  Available in more than 97 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv.  AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile.  AMC: Story Matters Here(SM).

SOURCE Gilt Groupe, Inc.