banana republic

Banana Republic is an American upscale clothing and accessories retailer owned by Gap Inc. It was founded in 1978 by Mel and Patricia Ziegler and originally called "Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company." In 1983, Gap Inc. purchased the company, changed the name to "Banana Republic," and rebranded the stores to achieve a more upscale image. Today, Banana Republic offers clothing for men and women, with a focus on higher-end garments that have been compared favorably with luxury brands like Chanel, Prada, and Gucci. The company operates over 700 stores worldwide. (1) (2) (3)

[1] "Banana Republic." Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org [2] "About Banana Republic." Banana Republic. bananarepublic.com [3] "Banana Republic History." Banana Republic. bananarepublic.com