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Company type | Division of Gap |
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Industry | Retail |
Founded | 1978 Mill Valley, California, U.S. |
Founders | Mel Ziegler Patricia Ziegler |
Headquarters | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
Number of locations | 700 (2017) |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Sonia Syngal (CEO of parent Gap, Inc.) Sandra Stangl (President & CEO) |
Products | Clothing |
Parent | Gap Inc. (1983–present) |
Website | www.BananaRepublic.com |
Banana Republic is an American upscale clothing and accessories retailer owned by The Gap. It was founded in 1978 by Mel and Patricia Ziegler, who originally called the company "Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company". In 1983, Gap purchased the company, changed the name to "Banana Republic," and rebranded the stores to achieve a more upscale image.[1][2] In the 2020s, VP of design Nicole Wiesmann has re-envisioned the brand with ad editorial campaigns that evoke luxury brands, and higher-end garments that have been compared favorably with names such as Ralph Lauren and The Row.[3][4][5]