Old Navy, renowned for its flip-flops, is taking accessories to another level with an expanded and reimagined handbag collection.
And Zac Posen, Gap Inc.’s executive vice president and creative director and Old Navy’s chief creative officer, has been eager to get it off the ground. “This is definitely something early on when I got here, a year and a half ago, that I really wanted to put at the forefront, and something that our customers told us we needed,” Posen told WWD.
“For me, when looking to elevate Old Navy style for our customers, an accessory is an incredibly accessible way to attain a style. It doesn’t require fit. It can be a keepsake. It can be a pass-me-down. It can elevate the everyday outfit, and just give it that elevated zhuzh.”
The handbag assortment, which launched Wednesday, offers styles for a variety of occasions, day and night, and includes three groups:
- The Carrie Collection, which is a tribute to the late fashion editor and longtime Old Navy campaign star Carrie Donovan and has three silhouettes: a large Carrie tote, a medium Carrie tote, and the Carrie crossbody. Each style comes in a variety of colors, soft faux leather and smooth faux suede. Prices range from $29.99 to $44.99.
- The Prep Collection offers the small Prep crossbody, the Prep shoulder bag, and the large Prep bucket bag, each accented in gold hardware and in soft faux leathers, rich tones in solids or color blocking, and a stamped croc inspired version for the shoulder bag. Prices range from $24.99 to $39.99.
- The Romantic Collection, designed for a night out, offers the Romantic clutch and the Romantic bracelet bag, in faux suede and gold hardware accents, both priced $29.99.
An Old Navy Romantic handbag.
“Every piece is thoughtfully designed with clean lines, great proportions and materials that feel elevated without being overworked,” Posen said. The Carrie tote he considers a standout. “It’s simple, structured and effortless, the kind of bag you can carry every day, but that still gets noticed.”
His second favorite is the Prep collection’s bucket bag. “It’s really chic. There’s a mini bucket bag. And I’d say my third favorite is this little evening clutch in suede with this metal ring. It’s really sleek and sexy looking.”
“I did not sketch the collection. It has been a real collaborative effort working with the accessories team and designers in-house, along with merchandising and planning. It’s been very much a team effort.”
Photo by Mario Sorrenti
Noting Old Navy’s history with flip-flops, Posen said they’ve been “part of our DNA….We definitely have accessories, but this launch is a much more expanded stamp on accessories. We’ve had accessories in the past, but it’s never been its own section, at least since I’ve been here, in terms of giving it space within the stores. It’s something we think can grow and facilitate.”
He said the bags are intended to accompany other categories at Old Navy, including denim. “As we move forward into more sportif bags, we’ll be looking at how those sit with our Bounce fleece, as well as the rest of our activewear business, which has been growing substantially. It’s like the best kept secret in the industry.”
Posen said there will be a series of drops over time to augment the collection. “This is really about movement,” he said. “It keeps rolling out, so we keep it exciting and fresh.”
Noting that every handbag in the new collection is priced under $50 — most around $30 — Posen said: “Style should not have a price tag. Having good style and taste should be something that is accessible, and actually great style should fight price….For me, a great bag is always about how it sits on the shoulder, having the drop in the right place, and how it holds your stuff.”
Posen has been recognized for his designer-level creations and evening looks, but his reputation widened when he joined Gap Inc. Asked if it’s tougher to design down market for the masses now, he replied: “At any price point, the magic of putting something made and sewn together always would have challenges. I would say there’s no such thing as ‘bibbidi-bobbidi-boo’ in making anything from high luxury to something that is very accessible. This is part of what gets me up every day and keeps me up at night. It’s thinking about all those components that get put together in the role that I sit in today. Obviously there’s a lot more facets to that. It’s not just the design and making [the products.] I work across a myriad of different sides of the company, and that keeps it exciting for me. I wear many hats within Gap Inc. It keeps me very busy.”
He said his first foray at Old Navy was over a year ago, working on the 94 Collection, which was the brand’s reissue of some of its best styles of 1994, to celebrate Old Navy’s 30th birthday. He said he “hit the ground” working across the brand on product, marketing and other areas at Old Navy. Among the projects he worked on was a line of occasion dresses, such as for proms or weddings, as well as Old Navy denim ads featuring Precious Lee and activewear ads that featured Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities.
“We’re working on different kinds of stores of the future,” he said. “You know we announced Herald Square,” where Old Navy is returning to a new site, after closing at a site being taken over by Primark. “We have so much in the pipeline. It’s such an exciting time for Old Navy.”
Asked what’s the very next big thing coming out of Old Navy after the accessory collection, Posen said, “Oh my gosh. We have a really exciting project with a very iconic American woman designer. I can’t disclose who yet.”
An Old Navy Prep handbag.