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Design Editions: Gap’s New Euro Must Have

One new line seemingly sure to be a commercial and critical success is Gap Design Editions, a capsule collection for the global retailer by French designer Pierre Hardy that was unveiled this week in Paris.

Part Asia Zen, part French chic, part little pain at the cash register for lots of panache, the mini collection is one good reason for inveterate North American shoppers to cross The Pond; Gap Design Editions, you see, is only available in Europe.

Gap had already launched Hardy’s debut trio of women’s looks for fall/winter 2007/2008, which hit retail shelves on November first in the UK. But this week in Paris, Gap presented a fuller collection of spring/summer 2008 models, which will retail for prices ranging up from 55 pounds Sterling, or $110 at current exchange rates.

The debut trio featured a low cut, slim line pointy slipper style ideas in black patent, gold Napa or two-tone leather; ballet flats with buckled cut-outs in hues like petrol blue or berry red; and super black patent leather platforms with square buckles, mid way between Edith Piaf and posh punk.

“Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing my creations. And I have to admit that does not happen every day of the week on the street. I would not have done this project just for any price. But I know the people who take care of design at Gap and I knew they would not distort my style,” Hardy told FWD.

The fuller spring/summer 2008 selection seen in a Marais showroom expands to include some great Geisha looks in naïve floral blue fabrics with wooden sides, bulky wooden platforms with sturdy olive hued cotton straps and sea view villa owning rock star sandals in aged gold. All of them looked great and as if they cost twice the price: in a word, hip realism at a bearable cost.

“The idea was to respect my standards of quality, even at that price. In return, I integrated the price restriction and a certain realism, like not making too high heels… In the end, having limits proved to be stimulating,” added Hardy, one of the world’s most acclaimed shoe designers, who first grabbed attention in the Eighties, creating footwear for Christian Dior.

Oddly, though Gap initially announced that the new line would be named Gap by Pierre Hardy, the collection has ended up with the title Gap Design Editions.

Hardy also created some neat men’s looks including very natty all white canvas and suede sneakers, Roman Ibiza sandals and classical gents Portofino aperitivo leather loafers – to be worn without socks, naturalmente.

Gap has previously collaborated with hipster designers like Roland Mouret, who created some rather swish looks for the retail chain. Gap also used Hardy in its European ad campaign, shot by Mikael Jansson, who focused on iconic Gap products worn also by Amanda Harlech, Iman and Coco Rocha.

Hardy, who has also designed men's and women's shoes for Hermes, launched his own label in 1999, adding men’s shoes two years later, and opened his first Pierre Hardy store in Paris in 2003. Currently, Hardy is also responsible for the shoe collection of Balenciaga, whose show invitation is probably the most exclusive in the world of high-end runways.

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