There’s no doubt Gap’s great American comeback is here. On Thursday, at Gap Inc.’s headquarters in San Francisco, the company unveiled its latest collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row, which launched early today. The high-energy performance—which kicked off NBA All-Star weekend—celebrated Gap’s rich ties to the Bay Area, its origins in dance, and its exciting cultural resurgence. The vibrancy felt throughout the night only further cemented the brand’s grand revival.
The night began beneath the building’s soaring atrium, where a large-scale Richard Serra sculpture commanded the space. It kicked off with dancers reinterpreting iconic ’90s Gap commercials as the original footage played along the walls. The lineup featured Gap’s legendary khaki swing, Madonna and Missy Elliott’s duet, and Daft Punk’s iteration. It was fashion nostalgia at its best.
Dancers, choreographed by Luam Keflezgy, then set the stage for the 16-piece limited-edition collection to shine. Six Black designers—A. Potts, BruceGlen, Kaphill, N’Gai, and Richfresh—reimagined Gap classics, like its storied white shirt and logo hoodie. Each infused their own perspective. “I love that these designers, who each have very unique aesthetics, created their spin on these two items,” Harlem’s Fashion Row founder Brandice Daniel shares with Vogue. “Gap is a brand that so many of us grew up with so it really feels like it’s everyone’s collaboration.”
Moments after the show, singer and Bay Area native Kehlani emerged from behind the Serra sculpture for an intimate performance. The room buzzed with notable guests, including Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross, actress Yvonne Orji, dancer Miles Brown, Gap Inc. president and CEO Mark Breitbard, creative director and EVP Zac Posen, celebrity stylists Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald, and author-activist Meena Harris. Guests also explored the Gap Maker’s Studio, where they customized shirts with patches designed by the collaboration’s creatives.
When asked about the collaboration and Gap Inc.’s role in the renewal of the San Francisco fashion and design space, Posen tells Vogue: “Revitalizing San Francisco is a huge opportunity for us. We’ve been rebuilding the brand and its relevance, and our collabs are a big part of that. We’ve known Brandice and worked together for a number of years, but bringing these designers together and bringing their designs to life was incredibly exciting.”
