Gap Sells New Designer Khaki Collection

By Margarita Nahapetyan

Today, June 17, the Gap has launched a new collection presented by winners of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)/Vogue Fashion Fund. The third of the so-called Gap Design Editions is all about khaki, created by designers Albertus Swanepoel, Alexander Wang and Vena Cava's Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai.

In the past few years, the CFDA/Vogue collaboration with Gap has brought out designers such as Phillip Lim to take on looks such as the classic crisp white shirt. The brand's main focus was also on menswear and jewelry. The success of the previous collaboration is out of question, with the items selling out within a matter of several days. This year, though, Albertus Swanepoel, Alexander Wang, and Vena Cava set out to create runway-worthy pieces from the most utilitarian cloth, Gap's very genetic material: khaki.

Alexander Wang said that being an American designer, he is always coming back to the classic style, and therefore it was a great honor for him to work in collaboration with the Gap because the brand is iconic to American culture. "Not to mention, home of khakis and the white tee," he said.

The new collection is fabulous. The long-awaited line includes the kinds of pieces people without any doubt will be waiting in long lines for, from an Alexander Wang's double-breasted motorcycle jacket to Vena Cava's dresses. The two Vena Cava cocktail dresses are embellished along the yoke or hem with black tribal art stenciling, and one shift has a super-sized front zipper. The Vena Cava boyfriend khakis are nice and slouchy ($74.50), and also embellished with the black printing. Alexander Wang's double-breasted coveted cropped jacket is one of the collection's best pieces. The length of the jacket is just perfect, with the three-quarter-length sleeves that look great, and the thrilling zipper details.

The prices of the collection range from $39.50 to $88, which means it is affordable for people with average income, and gives them an opportunity to bring ultrahigh-end names into their wardrobe. But this particular collection is more than that. The pieces it features would be great investments even if they did not have famous designers creating them. At $88, the khaki pants certainly are not cheap -- but they follow flattering and streamlined silhouettes. There is another positive thing about buying khakis - it is very economical, because you can wear the fabric all year round.

The collection will be available in flagship and top Gap stores as well as online at gap.com.