Gap’s last design director, Patrick Robinson, was hailed as a “savior” when he first signed on with the company. But he was thrown off the ship more than a year ago — and Gap Inc. has finally named a new savior to oversee its flagship brand.

Gap’s next look across all of its departments will be molded by 42-year-old Danish-born Rebekka Bay, who has been named creative director and head of global design. She was plucked from Danish design house Bruuns Bazaar, where she oversaw women’s and men’s apparel design and won kudos for turning out a Spring/Summer 2012 collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week that was described as "young, but also fetching on adults. And all of it came in a timeless style with a twist and edge controlled by a designer who made no compromise with processing or quality."

Before that, she was a top exec at H&M, where she launched and developed the high-end COS brand in 2006, which has had much success in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the Daily Mail notes. Bay's design chops and global experience and mens/womenswear experience should bode well for the Gap brand.Continue reading...

The fashion runway is generally seen as a place that is not in the reality of everyday Americans. Not only do they typically not ever get to see a fashion show live and in person but they certainly don’t get to strut their stuff up on the actual runway itself. That job is for models whose physical forms aren’t exactly shapes that typical Americans relate to and who have clothes specifically constructed to fit them. 

But Old Navy is trying to take back the fashion show for all the little people (and not so little). The idea is to take over a runway when Fashion Week ends this week in New York and let any woman who wants to walk the runway to do so. They’ll only get to do it, though, if they are wearing a pair of Old Navy’s Rockstar Skinny Jeans, which the company will not only provide but actually give to anybody who cares to take the stroll. Those participating in the stroll down the catwalk will also get “coaching on how to work it,” according to the release. Old Navy will be posting info to Facebook and Twitter, of course. 

And if you don’t live in the New York City area and aren’t interested in buying a ticket to get there for Friday’s show, worry not.Continue reading...

AT&T unveils flagship store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Amazon challenges Netflix with movie-streaming service.

Barclays names one of its own as new CEO.

Carrefour narrows loss.

Caterpillar says China growth may recover this year on government stimulus.

Chrysler sees sales of new Dodge Dart drift because of emphasis on manual transmissions.

Citigroup to settle suit connected to financial crisis for $590 million.

Daikin of Japan buys Goodman Global in U.S. air-conditioning market.

Facebook is cleared to buy Instagram by California authorities. Continue reading...

Back-to-school season may not be what it used to be. Under the "new normal" that is the American consumer economy these days, many children, teenagers and their parents appear to be delaying their school-related purchases this season, according to the New York Times. Thus, the full swing of this year's back-to-school shopping blowout may amount to less than has traditionally been the case.

Some of the delay is because kids and parents are holding back to make sure they buy the stuff that's truly on trend, the newspaper says. And unusually hot weather has left some consumers decidedly not in the mood to shop for pants with legs and shirts with sleeves. Another factor is that households don't have to head into stores as early because they research more of their purchases online beforehand and, aware of retailers' strategies, hold out until later in the season when bargains are better.

The back-to-school season is the second-largest sales period for U.S. retailers, after the Christmas holidays. Continue reading...

Old Navy is celebrating back to school shopping with the ultimate school — West Beverly Hills High — and its students who made Beverly Hills, 90210 the defining TV series of the 90's. Above, watch Jennie Garth, who played Kelly Taylor, choose between Brandon and Dylan (former castmates Luke Perry and Jason Priestley) in a commercial that's all about having good jeans. More below.Continue reading...

Angry Birds Space sets mobile download record.

Apple and Microsoft face price-gouging inquiry in Australia.

Barack Obama tests "Forward" as a campaign slogan.

BP will pay $4 billion on new oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico this year.

BlackBerry will be in the hot seat at BlackBerry World conference by RIM on Tuesday.

Broadway tests autism-friendly theater performances.

Brooklyn Nets unveils new team logo designed by Jay-Z.

Chrysler boosts Jeep production.

Facebook will announce a "life-saving tool" on Good Morning America on Tuesday.Continue reading...

Amazon's original programming plans draws speculation.

Apple prepares for iPad (HD?) reveal frenzy today while new device also could be boon for Verizon Wireless; and company receives key patent for iWallet.

Arby's uses holistic approach to social media to boost Klout score.

Bank of America is bullish on girl power.

Bentley's 'ugly' SUV the talk of the Geneva Motor Show.

Boeing forms alliance with Chinese jet maker.

Carbonite sees stock price drop after withdrawing advertising from Rush Limbaugh, as radio host sees 30+ advertisers leave, including Netflix.

Chevron faces criticism after gas-rig fire off Nigeria.

Cosmopolitan reaches 100K paid digital subscriptions.Continue reading...

As the world's biggest stage for marketers, we'd have to give Super Bowl XLVI, generously, a B-minus. While the game was compellingly competitive right until the last play, and Madonna acquitted herself pretty well for a 53-year-old halftime-show attraction, America's brand marketers barely held up their end of the extravaganza.

For one thing, there was no genuine stand-up-and-cheer advertising moment during NBC's telecast as there was last year, in Chrysler's spot featuring Eminem and its new Chrysler 200 "Imported from Detroit," although Clint Eastwood was a worthy successor.

In fact, stand-out moments in the ads were almost non-existent; the humor that carried most of the ads didn't come close to an outbreak of hilarity; and a few spots manifested jump-the-shark syndrome, such as an NBC promo that cameoed Betty White.Continue reading...