Corporate Collaborations | Amy Creyer's Chicago Street Style Fashion Blog

Pico Creative Loft: The Gap 1969 Design Studio

August 9, 2011 | Corporate Collaborations, Designer Spotlight, Special Features

To see more exclusive images of the Los Angeles-based Gap 1969 design studio, Pico Creative Loft, click below:

Nicole Burroughs, Jason Ferro, and Rosella Giuliani

I was honored to be invited to tour Pico Creative Loft, the new Gap 1969 design headquarters in Los Angeles. 1969 is Gap’s premium denim lifestyle line. 1969 sources its denim from the exact same factories as Current/Elliott and other designer denim brands. Gap is powerful enough to leverage its massive spending power into more affordable price points than its competitors. I had no idea that 1969 existed before this collaboration, and now I’m really excited about the concept. The truth is that not everyone can afford to purchase $240 jeans, but most people can save up for a pair of $70 jeans. Gap is making premium denim democratic.

Everyone who I saw at the studio had incredibly cool style. Everyone from punks to surfers, artists and hipsters was represented on the design team. More people had multicolored hair than not – and we all know from my blog how much I love it when people dye their hair crazy colors! This experience definitely made me take a second look at the Gap, a brand I wore heavily in high school. I’m excited to wear my new 1969 bordeaux corduroys and green stretch jeans once fall weather hits!

To read more about my recent trip, click here to visit my post about Vogue’s Fall 2011 trend presentation.

Gap 1969 Fall 2011 Trend Presentation

August 5, 2011 | Corporate Collaborations, Los Angeles, Special Features

Last Wednesday I was privileged to attend a fall trend presentation at Gap’s 1969 design studio, known as the Pico Creative Loft. The event was a collaboration between Vogue and the Gap, with the aim of bringing together the most influential bloggers from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles for an exclusive sneak peek at the new design studio. Less than 15 people were invited, which made for an intimate setting in which we each had a chance to chat with creative director Rosella Giuliani and menswear director Jason Ferro. Vogue director Anne Vincent narrated the modeling presentation, which was centered around Fall 2011 trends.

GAP creative director Rosella Giuliani with Vogue’s Anne Vincent

This fall, Gap’s premium denim lifestyle brand 1969 focused on jewel tone corduroys, cropped leather jackets, and stretch fits.

Both of the men above are wearing denim chambray shirts. The white shirt feels lovely, soft but structured – without the wrinkle of a linen fabric.

The green anorak coat is sure to be popular here in Chicago. It features a removable lining, which is perfect for layering as the weather changes. I ordered the wine jewel toned corduroys on the model wearing the navy toggle coat. It’s the perfect way to add a pop of color while staying within the fall color palette.

All men are cuffing their pants these days, everything from khakis to blue jeans. Gap made sure their presentation was on trend!

I loved the bomber jackets they showed for men. I hope to photograph a lot of those on Chicago’s streets in the months to come.

I found the metallic snakeskin pant to be especially intriguing, as there is just a hint of sheen. The pant perfectly toes the line of edgy cool, without venturing into Jersey Shore territory.

This leather bomber jacket for women features this amazing wire ruffle, which allows women to add flair or keep it flat, depending on their mood. I love when clothing has the ability to change shape. It’s like conceptual fashion for the mainstream American.