Has Gap finally nailed it? Since Zac Posen took up his mission-almost-impossible post as creative director last year, all eyes have been fixed on the revival. Don’t we all want Gap to succeed? I do.
And this collab with Californian sisters Dôen looks to be a winner. Officially launching tomorrow in the UK, it helps that OG Gap girl Kirsty Hume is the face of the collaboration, speaking to Gen X with her 90s minimalist aesthetic, along with younger consumers who also relate to the simplicity of classic Gap, albeit with a Dôen twist.
BELOW: Kirsty Hume for Gap x Dôen
BELOW: Kirsty Hume for Gap, 1994 (please forgive the abysmal quality image)
The collaboration (the second with Dôen) includes this oversized, full-sleeved denim jacket (top), plus eyelet sundresses, stripy pockets tees and a poplin shirt-and-shorts-set. It lands at the Oxford Street Gap store in London tomorrow, or online at 9am. If you Google “Gap Doen UK” though, some pieces seem to be shoppable now…
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla IMAGES: Kirsty Hume for Gap x Dôen by Clara Balzary; Kirsty Hume for Gap, 1994 NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here
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A few snippets of digital ephemera and IRL recommendations I’ve enjoyed lately…
1/ ART OF MENDING. My highlight from the Phoebe Philo-edited How To Spend It magazine was Michael Swaine’s story on why he set up a voluntary one-man community mending-service-cum-art-practice. “Mending something is not just about the stitch and the mend, it’s about the care for that other human.” Read more here.
2/ ARKET HAND WASH. I’m a sucker for wholesome smelling Scandi fragrances and Arket (below) is delivering with its clean, outdoorsy Pomelo Hand and Body Wash*, a mere tenner for 300ml.
3/ KEITH MCNALLY’S BESTSELLER. Keith’s “I Regret Almost Everything*” has just landed on the NYT bestseller list. It’s every bit as brilliant as expected and more than worth the 2-year wait.
4/ TOD’S DOUBLE SHIRT. The Tod’s double shirt I raved about a year ago is in stock. Availablehere.
5/ BIRLEY’S ICE CREAM. Ice cream season is upon us and the best you’ll ever taste is from Birley’s Bakery in Chelsea Green. A single scoop of Rose or Bitter Chocolate is all that’s needed.
6/ ASKET, NOT ARKET. Another Swedish recommendation. Asket, the 15-year-old Stockholm essentials brand (not to be confused with Arket) has stealthily landed in Brewer Street, Soho (top). Its ethos centres on ‘obsessively refined’ basics, and once it’s mastered something, it stays in the collection. When they reach 50 SKUs (aka ‘stock keeping units’ – fashion biz speak for a single item), the single permanent collection will be complete and they’ll stop adding.
7/ THE VALUE OF FRICTION. Great to see people realising societies need friction, and that ‘convenience’ and friction-free living, accelerated by digital technology, is actually bad for our coping skills and resilience (not to mention our wallets). Kyla Scanlon breaks it down here.
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla IMAGES: Asket; Arket; The Friction Index via Kyle Scanlon NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here
CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week CLICK HEREto buy my book, The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman CLICK HERE to buy my beauty book, Face Values: The New Beauty Rituals and Skincare
Confession: For the last few years I’ve avoided buying ’summer’ clothes. It’s not worth it; it’s never consistently warm in the UK, so the effusive enthusiasm with which you might buy shorts, sleeveless dresses and sporty tanks in April dissipates into a tragic puddle as the weeks sail by.
There’s a middle way though. This year I’ve discovered my inner (city) beach goddess. It’s one part Tod’s wealthy Milanese nonna, one part Miu Miu SS24 Gen Z Yacht Girl Summer (below) and one part Margaret Howell-clad beachcomber (think more Cornwall than Capri).
From the shoes up, we start with a deck shoe – I like a rugged crenelated sole since I’ll be cavorting the damp streets of London, not the shiny decks of an oligarch’s schooner. So, the traditional Timberland Noreen* resurgence is well-timed. There are more contemporary fashion versions with an extremely chunky sole (see Grenson*), but I’m here for the long haul, so I go classic. The other high-end option is the flat-soled or nubby-soled boat shoe by Miu Miu, Bally or Tod’s*.
Next, and crucially, I’m indulging my baggy Bermuda shorts* era. These to be worn with off white socks and aforementioned Timberlands, plus a striped shirt* or an oversized pique polo. Think vintage 90s J Crew catalogue or this season’s Ralph Lauren.
On the shirt front, shopping is easy. You can go high end with The Row or Lemaire*, medium with With Nothing Underneath*, or if you have more time than money, get on eBay/Vinted/ Etsy and search vintage Ralph or Gap. (Or go to Superdry in Oxford Street; there’s the weirdest vintage Polo Ralph Lauren pop-up that I believe is legit!)
Donni also has great-looking striped shirts* (below) although the best colours are sold out. I love the oversize-shirt-and-boxers look for beach lounging (or sunbathing in the local park) – just pop a bikini top underneath. I’m not advocating for £700 boxers but at the same time, if you can, go you (I mean, these* are cute!)
Obviously we must be realistic, so to offset the shorts, tees and pique polos, we need our sartorial comfort blanket. I’m never far from a sweater or waterproof something, so this season’s knit polo is high on my English summer wardrobe agenda. Not to sound cliched but fitted or baggy, these really do go with everything if you wear them in a considered way – i.e. do the buttons up, tuck it in, etc. Lisa Yang* and Alex Mill* are both excellent sources.
Then there’s the oversized crew neck; a roomy chunky sweater or cardi that can be worn over a collared shirt, round the waist, shoulders, you know the drill. I like a cream sweater from Navygrey*,Agnes b or Margaret Howell, or this & Daughter wool cardigan* to go with off white jeans or khaki Bermudas.
And finally, the all-important outerwear. Whatever the temperature in the UK you’re never far from an impromptu summer gale. I love a luxe cagoule-adjacent layer in windproof navy or stone. Tod’s*, Lemaire* and Prada* (below) all excel with their technical trenches and cotton windbreakers, while COS* is always reliable for something similar. Or if you’re being extra extra, there’s the Tod’s ultralight windbreaker in butter nappa leather (below).
NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla IMAGES: With Nothing Underneath; Miu Miu SS24; Donni; With Nothing Underneath; Margaret Howell SS25; J Crew 1992; Prada SS25; Tod’s SS25 x 2 NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here
CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week CLICK HERE to buy my book, The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman CLICK HERE to buy my beauty book, Face Values: The New Beauty Rituals and Skincare
Had to hard disagree with Bonnie Morrison (on Fashion People) who asserted that the less ‘colourful’ looks at last week’s Met Gala didn’t meet the brief.
In its own way, this was colourful and celebratory, not to mention a thoroughly contemporary, ungimmicky display of Black dandy style.
If Andre Walkerwalked into any room in thatFear of God get-up, I’m sure every head would turn. In his words: “Crazational!”
FYI: Wales Bonner’s own regal fine jewellery collection (below) will be available to view at Dover Street Market London from May 15th to June 1st 2025.
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla IMAGES:Imaan Hamman; Lewis Hamilton; Tyler Mitchell; Wales Bonner moodboard 2; Andre Walker in Fear of God; Andre Walker in Fear of God x2 by Tommy Tom; Fear of God by Tommy Ton NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here
CLICK HEREto get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week CLICK HERE to buy my book, The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman CLICK HEREto buy my beauty book, Face Values: The New Beauty Rituals and Skincare
