Photo: Courtesy of Old Navy
Since Zac Posen took over at Gap, Inc., and Old Navy, the brands have undergone major changes and had viral moments. Old Navy expanded its activewear line with Lindsay Lohan as the face (as someone who has tested them, the leggings are really good, and Posen agrees: “Our activewear is our best kept secret,” he said) and embarked on its first-ever designer collaboration with Anna Sui last year, and that was just the beginning. The brand’s latest endeavor is a collaboration with designer Christopher John Rogers.
Rogers, an LVMH Prize finalist and winner of American Emerging Designer of the Year at the 2020 CFDA Fashion Awards, has had his designs worn by Michelle Obama, Cardi B, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Miley Cyrus. Rogers has built a cult following with dedicated fans and collectors of his high-volume, high-color collections, and the Old Navy collaboration is no different. For more on the collaboration, we sat down with Rogers and Posen.
Photo: Courtesy of Old Navy
The brand has said the idea is to “reinterpret tried-and-true American classics through a distinctly declarative lens.” Can you expand on what that means for you?
Christopher John Rogers: I love a shirtdress, a polo/rugby. Denim is really important. We based a lot of the collection on cotton, a cotton twill like denim, or a cotton poplin that feel quite American to me and easy to throw on, especially for spring and summer. Also, taking the stripe and the polka dot and really blowing them up or stretching them out or covering them in ways that feel unique to us as a brand was important for this collaboration.
Photo: Courtesy of Old Navy
Anything in the collection can go together. You have Kimora Lee Simmons and her daughters, Aoki and Ming, in the ad campaign. Who’s the woman you envision wearing this?
CJR: Regardless of identity or body or ability, I want people to be able to find themselves in the collection. That’s why there are so many different silhouettes, proportions, and colors here. Regardless of how you feel personally, you can find something for yourself.
I think the campaign with Kimora and her daughters is a good example of that.
Zac Posen: Kimora is an old friend; we just had this moment and thought she would be great for this collection. It’s so fun to be working with her again. The last time I worked with her was in a fitting with André Leon Talley doing a couture gown with her. It was so fun to bring her to set.
Photo: Courtesy of Old Navy
Do you have any tips for color blocking?
CJR: I think scale is really important for print. More is more.
ZP: Form and shape, that’s important in terms of taking color blocking to that place of sophistication. Knowing where you ground things: If you don’t want to be as bold, neutrals and grounded colors like army green, then you can wear something really high-saturated with it. Spin the color wheel. Color can be really sophisticated.
What Christopher brings to this collection is that it’s grounded. Color is emotion, and that can be something that is surprising for people, but it’s a great thing to bring into the world, especially at this time of year.
Photo: Courtesy of Old Navy
Do you have any favorite pieces?
ZP: I love the tote, and I think that will be the tote of the summer. Christopher’s work has a tactile nature to it. There are everyday utility pieces, and there are those pop pieces that become those pieces that stay in your wardrobe, and the jersey, which is stretchy and soft. There are also jeans with a cool technique and texture.
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You talked a lot about a brand being more than a brand and also like telling a story. And I’d love to know, like, what’s the story here?
ZP: The story here is about bringing joy to the summer, expression. I think this is a person who is in touch with their creativity. I believe that if people can use fashion to express their own creativity, we’ll live in a happier world.
Anna Sui last year was the first-ever designer collaboration, and now you’re working with CJR. How do you decide on designer collaborations for Old Navy? Will there be more?
ZP: I have to be a fashion fairy godfather, and it’s a role that I waited a really long time to be in. It’s really finding who I think our customer will respond to. I believe in surprise and also teaching our customer. You can use all the algorithms you want, but sometimes it’s about who is going to make the best product for that customer, who is going to work with our team in a really collaborative way.
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