Banana Republic Celebrates 30 Years

With a runway show in an art gallery in New York on Tuesday, April 29, Banana Republic showcased a cohesive set of separates that wouldn't be out of place in the cubicles of an architecture firm worn by scrupulous associates: stand-up funnel collars on coats, military detailing on a cardigan sweater, trim pleated trousers and blousy white silk tuxedo shirt for the women - exemplifying a light feminine touch on the menswear-inspired looks featured throughout. Basic black coats featured dramatic architectural puffed sleeves, injecting this urban wardrobe staple with the kind of detail you'd expect from a more expensive designer label.

For men, the silhouette was slim for suits in the vein of mid-century Continental - picture 1950s ad men - and the palette du jour, flannel grey. Chunky knits rounded out casual offerings and crinkled white denim looked particularly fresh.

A halftone backdrop of the stark branches of trees emphasized the minimal color palette of the collections as a whole - all flannel grays, inky blacks, crisp whites, chalky charcoals punctuated by just two looks in fuschia, functioning in the collection like a smear of bright lipstick on a bare face.

Banana Republic launched its upscale version of the label this spring called Monogram, featuring more or less a similar BR style as their regular collection, but in more luxurious fabrics and more refined construction. Their first stand-alone boutique opened earlier this month in New York on Bleecker Street and is also available online.