The Empire of Banana Republic?
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The day I have been waiting for has arrived. No, I am not talking about Zara and Massimo Dutti finally opening in the Wharf (which has brought me immense pleasure), but Banana Republic, after two years of waiting, opens today.
For those of you who have not yet made it over to the dark, mock-mahogany decor of a Banana Republic on the other side of the pond, you are in for a treat of the sharp tailoring, muted palette kind that only the Gap family can bring you.
Whilst UK designers are favouring only the brightest citric and fuschia hues this season, BR has put it's buying power behind soft lemons and limes, and mossy greens to make your neutral skirt suit pop. Teamed with some seriously sexy court shoes and wedges that would make the most hardened Jacobsnista look twice and some particularly lovely oversized shoulder bags, you could be forgiven for thinking a new era has arrived, not seen since, er, well Kenneth Cole - that other great US-tailoring export - arrived in the UK.
But things have changed since the announcement of Banana Republic planting roots on these shores those two years ago, and I question whether it will survive the current difficult UK climate.
Sure, the tailoring suits the understated mood given the current financial climate, but with the unfavourable exchange rate this side of the pond, I would rather invest in a slightly edgier design by either Reiss or DKNY. And Kenneth Cole and Abercrombie have already cornered the fake-New-York-lifestyle market for your respective week and weekend, leaving little room to BR to take root.
But I will be looking forward to seeing what BR has to offer on Thursday - I just hope the UK market doesn't prove too much of a banana skin for it to slip up on.
Whilst UK designers are favouring only the brightest citric and fuschia hues this season, BR has put it's buying power behind soft lemons and limes, and mossy greens to make your neutral skirt suit pop. Teamed with some seriously sexy court shoes and wedges that would make the most hardened Jacobsnista look twice and some particularly lovely oversized shoulder bags, you could be forgiven for thinking a new era has arrived, not seen since, er, well Kenneth Cole - that other great US-tailoring export - arrived in the UK.
But things have changed since the announcement of Banana Republic planting roots on these shores those two years ago, and I question whether it will survive the current difficult UK climate.
Sure, the tailoring suits the understated mood given the current financial climate, but with the unfavourable exchange rate this side of the pond, I would rather invest in a slightly edgier design by either Reiss or DKNY. And Kenneth Cole and Abercrombie have already cornered the fake-New-York-lifestyle market for your respective week and weekend, leaving little room to BR to take root.
But I will be looking forward to seeing what BR has to offer on Thursday - I just hope the UK market doesn't prove too much of a banana skin for it to slip up on.
Here Is The Writer : Charlotte Fordham
Charlotte is a recruitment manager at a rather large, rather global bank. She made the switch to banking after several years of recruiting for the fashion industry. Charlotte is now using her fashion contacts to look beyond the corporate dress code and ask, "Can you ever look Sexy in The City?" We're very much hoping the answer is YES.
view more articles by Charlotte Fordham
