History of Banana Republic

Mel and Patricia Ziegler co-founded Banana Republic back in 1978. Mel was a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, and Patricia worked as a courtroom artist for the same paper. They lived in an apartment on Russian Hill.

Mel and Patricia Ziegler started the company with $1,500 and no retail experience. The company originally called the "Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company". The Zieglers sold refashioned military surplus in a safari-themed boutique, a whole new retail concept.

The company was bought by Gap in 1983 and now operates as a division, now with over 600 stores located internationally. They also co-founded The Republic of Tea and ZoZa.com.

Gap Inc. is primarily owned by the Fisher family, heirs of Donald George Fisher, who co-founded The Gap Inc. with his wife Doris F. Fisher, back in 1969.

In 2005, Banana Republic opened its first store in Japan. The store was located in Printemps Ginza in Ginza, Tokyo.

In 2011, Banana Republic’s Mad Men collection, a unique collaboration with the Emmy Award-winning television show’s costume director, Janie Bryant, hits stores. Two more collaborations follow in 2012 and 2013.

Banana Republic has struggled at Gap over the years, generally overshadowed by Athleta and Old Navy. In year 2021, compared to 2019, Banana Republic and Gap’s sales dropped by 15% and 10% in Q2, while Athleta and Old Navy’s sales increased by 35% and 21%, respectively.
History of Banana Republic