As part of Banana Republic’s all-new BETTER REPUBLIC sustainability initiative, launched on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the brand has partnered with online vintage retailer Thrilling.
Thrilling is known for its vintage marketplace platform, which offers consumers used items that they have sourced themselves from the country’s best second-hand and vintage stores.
This partnership marks Banana Republic’s first-ever brand collaboration and like the entire BETTER REPUBLIC initiative, is centred on environmental sustainability.
Out of the new Banana Republic + Thrilling collaboration comes a collection of carefully curated vintage pieces that aesthetically speak to Banana Republic’s roots while simultaneously complementing its new, forward-thinking environmental initiative.
“As part of more responsible retail, Banana Republic is proud to partner with vintage online marketplace Thrilling on their first-ever brand collaboration. Thrilling offers an environmentally friendly way to shop vintage Banana Republic while supporting local small businesses across the country, 95% of which are owned and operated by women,” reads Gap Inc.’s press release.
All items in the collection are sourced from re-sale and vintage clothing stores in the United States, which means the collection is not only eco-friendly but also supports local businesses (many of which are women-owned, as mentioned above). Further, 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of items in the Banana Republic + Thrilling collection go towards these independent shops.
According to Gap Inc.’s press release, Banana Republic was founded in 1978 as one of the first upcycle brands. Thus, this collaboration pays homage to these roots. “As a brand founded by selling upcycled surplus products, Banana Republic brings history full circle with BETTER REPUBLIC in more ways than one.”
Fittingly, the collection features items with a utilitarian aesthetic, as a nod to the military surplus clothing Banana Republic sourced for their original store. Some items are actually upcycled Banana Republic styles once sold in Banana Republic stores, while others hail from different brands or designers, such as Levi Strauss & Co., Leslie Fay, Chaus, Plaza South, Fox Hollow, and Anne Klein. Consumers can shop everything from leather bomber jackets and army green coveralls to more feminine retro items like fit and flare midi dresses, ruffled blouses, and striped rompers. Finally, in addition to clothing, women can also shop for vintage accessories, such as hats, belts, scarves, and jewellery.
Click here to shop the Banana Republic + Thrilling vintage collection today.
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