Jennifer Hudson looking radiant in red. Photo from Gap.
With this year’s holiday shopping season being forecasted as the worst ever due to the abysmal economy, clothing giant Gap is looking to inject some excitement by featuring a star-studded holiday ad campaign. Celebs like Jennifer Hudson (above), Mary Louise Parker and Jason Batement donned Gap garments and posed for the company’s Christmas catalog. The TV spots will feature celebrities such as “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm Christmas caroling. But will the investment pay off?
Oh, advertising industry, you know us so well! Not only is Chuck Bass currently making kissy-faces in a K Swiss ad, but Don Draper, the most dapper man ever to walk across the small screen, is modeling for the Gap. Actually, the strange thing about the ad is that it’s most definitely not a picture of Don Draper, fictional character who lives in the 1960s, but Jon Hamm, actor who plays Draper on Mad Men in the year 2008. Hamm beams at the camera with both a cozy scarf and a blond woman (his girlfriend, Jennifer Westfeldt) wrapped around his neck. He does not look like a man concealing a terrible secret, and as such, we barely recognized him.
Along with the Jon Hamm ad, the Gap has also released their annual Christmas commercials. This time they’re online only, but the format—odd pairings of celebrities belting out Christmas carols—remains the same. If the sight of Don Draper wearing an uncomplicated puppy-dog grin and a sporty sweater doesn’t confuse you, wait till you see Flo Rida sing “Jingle Bells.”
The ads are fun and beautifully shot, but I don’t know if anything will inspire shoppers to spend a lot of money this year. Things are tough all over.
Photos are of Mary Louise Parker, Milla Jovovich and daughter Ever, Jason Bateman and daughter Francecsa, Rainn Wilson and SNL’s Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, and Will Forte. Also shown are actors Cam Gigandet and Ben Barnes and models Missy Rayder, Frankie Rayder, and Anja Rubnik. Thanks to The Gap.
Now I really won’t buy anything at the Gap.
Who actually buys Gap clothes anymore? They’re far too expensive for average quality and they’re not popular around the kid groups (in my area anyway).
Totally agree, RAN. Anytime I buy something from the Gap (and it’s been a while now), it falls apart within a few months. Either that, or it’s completely out of fashion by the following year. Not worth the ridiculous prices.
I saw the ads in the new Vanity Fair – I *love* the one with Jason Bateman and his totally beautiful little girl, and the one with the SNL boys. *sigh*
Sure wish the Gap would spend part of the advertising budget on design and quality. I haven’t bought anything I’ve been really happy with in years.
❓ Can the European Gap be so much different from the American one? I know the ranges are different, wonder if they come from different sources or something? I buy stuff there all the time and the quality is great, well finished, washes brilliantly, lasts for ages. *shrug*
(But I am just talking vests, tees, jeans, that sort of thing.)
G, you’re in Europe, right? Maybe there’s different quality standards or regulations in Europe as compared to where I live – which I wouldn’t doubt.
All of the Gaps I’ve run across are exactly like Granger mentioned, the clothes are average looking, temporary fashions, overpriced, and probably the poorest quality I’ve ever seen. The jeans may be an exception, but I haven’t purchased them in eons either.
**Edit — duh! I just noticed you’ve confirmed you were in Europe shopping (from the first line of your comment). That’s what I get for skimming 🙂 **
All I do know is that the ranges are definitely different – I’ve been in both and American Gap (as of last time I was there in ’07) was a lot more casual than the UK. But it’s odd on the quality discrepancy – and since you all seem to share that opinion, it’s obviously a problem. Maybe it IS a quality control thing or they’ve aiming at a different market or something…
If I want cheap clothes that will be out of season next year, I’ll shop at H&M. GAP, to me, is for the mom’s who try to look hip with a younger crowd and fail. Just my opinion. And these ads don’t do anything to change that!
Love Mary Louise Parker.
Yeah, it does have a bit of that about it, also a kind of smug and self-satisfied thing, really pushing a lifestyle. Always been a bit meh about it’s ads and marketing. Still really like its basic classic lines tho’.
I bought some khakis from Gap last year and they’re still my fave pairs, but they are men’s and we in America know that men’s clothes are better quality than women’s. It doesn’t seem like men’s styles change much anyway. Although I am a female, men’s pants fit better since they are not made for folks with big hips and come in varying lengths. Try them, ladies, you might be surprised.
Goodness, the babies in those pictures are beautiful!
Agree with Kaiser and Shane – the ones with the babies are lovely….Mila Jovovich and Jason Bateman both look amazing and their kids… beautiful.
Love me some Mila, but I’ll never shop at the Gap.
I loooooove the SNL guys’one! I find myself wishing it was more of an underwear ad, though, lol. Well, then maybe Armisen would have to step out of the pic, so we’ll keep it sweaters and scarves!
I have a weird crush on Will Forte, though, so, yeah… lol
Where are Hader and Samberg, though? Wouldn’t sell out? 😆
I don’t shop at the Gap, but I love the look of alot of their baby clothes. If I had a baby, I’d probably buy some of those lil boots Milla Jovovich’s daughter is sportin’ and the hat and pancho Jason Batemans ADORABLE lil girl has on! Too cute!
Okay, is it me, or are there ANY celeb babies that don’t have these humongous pouty lips?
I don’t know about the Gap specifically, but I do know other major clothing manufacturers make clothing that looks somewhat similar but is of a different level of quality for the European vs. the U.S. market.
The reason is people are generally willing to pay more for clothes (and shoes) in Europe. Of course some of that has to do with the strength of the Euro vs. the dollar.
Basically manufacturers can afford to use more expensive materials and detailing for product sold in Europe because they can charge more for the finished product.
Love Milla-and her baby is adorable. Not a fan of Gap. But I do go to GapKids and get their kids clothes when they are on sale. Definitely not worth the original price. If I want a t-shirt I’ll go to Old Navy for $12 not $30 at Gap.
I wonder if this will backfire? Spending all this money on stars when-if people don’t have the money to spend, it doesn’t matter who you show wearing your clothes.
Ok I just finsihed looking at the photos and who is the guy third row middle? Not even that attrocious argyle sweater and weird scarf can take away his hotness. I think my temp just got higher and not from my cold!
The trick with Gap is never buy anything full price. Always shop their sales, and they have killer sales at least here in NorCal where they’re based.
They’re great for natural fiber basics and the quality is
excellent at the sale prices. You can’t wear Gap head to toe but select pieces are often fabulous and great wardrobe mixers.
Every time I see Milla’s little girl Ever, it makes me wish I had named my little girl Everly like I wanted. Instead of Addison.
Milla is soooo beautiful, and her daughter is too! Love me some Bateman also.
Eh, I’m more an Abercrombie and Fitch girl myself. Their jeans last forever and make your butt look nice. 😀
Their jeans, jackets, and hoodies are the only things I buy, everything else is sucky.
The Gap though is like a more expensive Old Navy. I do not by anything from Gap simply because I can never see anything I really like. The vests and jackets are nice but I can pay like twenty dollars less for the same type items at another place.
As an internationally renowned brand, it comes as no surprise that Gap has decided to extend its online offering. Having already built a competitive online positioning in the US, Gap is in good stead to increase profits across Europe. However, as the digital space becomes more crowded, Gap must provide an offering that really stands out, especially if it wants to win back its customers from ASOS.
Uk Gap