Gap & CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Introduce Limited Edition Collection Designed by 2009 CVFF Winners at New York City Pop-Up Shop

SAN FRANCISCO, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Gap is debuting a limited edition collection of designs created exclusively for Gap by this year's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners – Monique Pean, Patrik Ervell and Sophie Theallet. The collection, designed by some of the most celebrated, emerging designers in the industry, represents the fourth consecutive collection born from Gap's partnership with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF) and will be available exclusively on New York City's 5th Ave. at Gap's rotating concept store starting today.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100603/SF14665)

For the first time, this year's designers – who represent jewelry, menswear and women's design – were encouraged to openly interpret the spectrum of Gap's iconic looks resulting in a collection of flirtatious dresses, skirts and tops for women; modern blazers, t-shirts and button-downs for men; and stunning necklaces and bracelets. Each piece reflects the designers' creative visions while still retaining Gap's classic, yet casual aesthetic. Additionally, this year the designers are producing the clothing, which will be for sale starting June 3 in Gap's rotating concept store.

Gap's partnership with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF), was established to support and encourage new American design talent. In 2007 Gap announced a partnership with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund to introduce up-and-coming young designers to a broader audience by partnering with winners from the annual Fashion Fund competition. Last year noted designers, Albertus Swanepoel, Alexander Wang, and Vena Cava's Lisa Mayock & Sophie Buhai created a limited edition collection inspired by Gap's classic khakis. In 2007 and 2008, Gap introduced unique designer interpretations of the classic white shirt – an iconic item that has been part of Gap's heritage for more than forty years. Past designers have included 2007 designers Doo-Ri Chung (Doo.Ri), Kate and Laura Mulleavy (Rodarte) and Thakoon Panichgul (Thakoon), and 2008 designers Phillip Lim (3.1 Phillip Lim), Scott Sternberg (Band of Outsiders), Michael Bastian, Philip Crangi and threeASFOUR's Gabi Asfour, Adi Gil & Angela Donhauser.

"We celebrate creativity and inspired design in all forms, which is why we're thrilled to support the work of these talented designers," said Gap's Executive Vice President of Design, Patrick Robinson "I love this partnership because it allows us to raise awareness of emerging design talent while giving our customers access to exciting new designers at an affordable price. Leaving the theme open this year enabled the designers to reinterpret the range of Gap's iconic wardrobe essentials while staying true to their own point of view. The result: three covetable collections."

The collections will be available exclusively at Gap's rotating concept store on New York City's 5th Ave. beginning June 3, while supplies last. Items will range in price from $28 to $298. The concept store is located at 680 Fifth Avenue (between 53rd and 54th Streets) and is open Mondays – Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

"The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund designers are the top names to watch. Each has created unique offerings as part of the collaboration with Gap.  It is an exciting collection of women's and men's clothing and jewelry.  We are appreciative for the Gap's support and help in reaching a new customer base for this talented trio," said CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb.

About The Designers

Monique Pean launched her socially responsible and eco-friendly fine jewelry company in 2006. Her collection highlights the importance of sustainability and ethical trade while raising awareness of indigenous art and culture and environmental concerns. In the past year, MONIQUE PEAN has provided clean drinking water to more than 3,400 people in collaboration with charity: water. MONIQUE PEAN is one of the winners of the 2009 CFDA/ VOGUE Fashion Fund and she is the recipient of the 2009 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for Accessories. Ms. Pean holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Speaking about her inspiration for the collection, Monique Pean said, "I wanted to create classic pieces accentuated by bright colors, which is what comes to mind when I think of Gap. Made of sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as naturally shed buffalo horn coconut, buri twine, and organic cotton, my CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Gap collection incorporates the signature organic shapes from my fine jewelry collection with dashes of magenta and lime green.  Each piece from the collection will provide clean drinking water to one person for 20 years. The capsule collection hints at the Caribbean and is perfect for summer beach days."

PATRIK ERVELL debuted in 2005 at the shop Opening Ceremony in New York. His clothes are modern classic sportswear pieces, imbued with a discreet elegance. Patrik uses extremely high quality manufacturing and luxury materials; his clothes feature silk linings, horn buttons on outerwear and suiting, mother-of-pearl buttons on shirting, handmade suiting, knitwear, and hand-finished details on outerwear pieces. He is also noted for his use of innovative materials, which have included gold foil, vintage parachutes, and most recently fabrics stained with oxidized iron and copper.

No stranger to accolades, PATRIK ERVELL was selected in 2007 as a winner of the Ecco Domani Award for Menswear.  Since then, Patrik has been nominated three times for the CFDA's Swarovski Award for Menswear – in 2008, 2009 and 2010.  Patrik was also one of the winners of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award in 2009.

"For me Gap is a classic American brand.  For this project I wanted to take iconic American menswear pieces and purify and modernize them.  To me, that's the essence of the Gap aesthetic," said Patrik Ervell of his inspiration.

Sophie Theallet is best described as a "modern couturiere". She launched her eponymous label in 2007, after two years as creative director of the luxury resort line Motu Tane and ten years as Azzedine Alaia's right hand woman.

Sophie Theallet's signature is a blend of femininity, ease, sensuality and craftsmanship that is instantly recognizable and completely different from any other high fashion label. Like Sophie herself, the clothes have a strong French accent, but they also exude a freedom of spirit that transcends all borders. It's luxury clothing with a sense of meaning. Her talent has been celebrated by the fashion industry on its highest level. In 2009, she won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award and her clothes grace the great style icon Michelle Obama.

"I was inspired to create simple and accessible pieces for summer; while keeping in mind a unique Sophie Theallet signature feeling to them," said Sophie Theallet of her inspiration.

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta brand names. Fiscal 2009 sales were $14.2 billion. Gap Inc. operates about 3,100 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan and Ireland. In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Australia, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

About CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

The CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund was established in 2003 to help emerging American design talent find continued success in the business of fashion. In addition to cash prizes of $200,000 to the winner and $50,000 each to the two runners-up, the award includes mentorship from a panel of industry professionals whose expertise is tailored to the award recipients' specific needs and future goals.

SOURCE Gap Inc.