Gap is bringing a dose of French savoir-faire to Manhattan in a manner unique to its brand DNA. The iconic American retailer, currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, has partnered with the celebrated Paris boutique Merci to curate a special month long concept store that will be open from September 10th to October 4th in the 500-square-foot annex space adjacent to its flagship at 680 Fifth Avenue (at the corner of 54th St.).
The Merci Gap store will offer a wide assortment of goods culled from locations across the globe, ranging in price from $4 multicolored bamboo tumblers to a gorgeous Baxter Alu Bell Chandelier that retails for $2850 (the price points clearly cater to a broad cross-section of shoppers with discerning tastes).
Among the clothing pieces offered are: limited edition t-shirts; Gap “boyfriend” jeans with custom embroidery by Laurence Amelie and customized limited edition Gap trenches by French artist Soledad. An eclectic array of clothing and accessories sourced by the vintage specialists at Merci will also be available. It’s all very bespoke - but at consumer friendly price points.
For the home, a selection of Annick Goutal fragrances will be on display, as well as an exclusive collection of vintage jewelry and ornaments made from hand crafted cut glass and mercury glass beads from Gablonz - rare pieces once produced in Eastern Europe.
Combining fashion with philanthropy, all profits from Merci Gap, after production costs are considered, will go to various children’s charities and to provide work for impoverished youth in Madagascar as with the original store in Paris.
“I’m a great admirer of the Merci philosophy, combining style and simplicity with doing good and supporting the under-served communities, a principal that we embrace in the way we work at Gap, so I’m delighted to be able to offer a platform to introduce Merci to our customers in America,” says Marka Hansen, president of Gap North America.
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