Donald Kohler, a veteran of several prominent fashion brands for three decades, will join Gap Inc.’s Banana Republic division as global brand president and chief executive officer in July.
Kohler fills a position that’s been vacant for two years since the departure of Sandra Stangl. He joins Banana Republic at a time of transformation and when it’s showing some sales momentum. The brand has been working to strengthen an identity based on storytelling and evoking travel, adventure, and what it terms “the modern explorer.” Best-selling classic Banana styles of the past are being reimagined and contemporized.
Kohler was mostly recently with PVH Corp., where he served as CEO of PVH Americas, overseeing Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and the company’s regional retail, e-commerce, wholesale, and licensing businesses.
Prior to PVH, Kohler held senior roles at Burberry, Ferragamo, and Diesel, where he has been credited with strengthening brand positionings and operations, and leading “consumer-focused transformations,” according to Gap Inc. Earlier, Kohler spent more than a decade at Gap Inc. in merchandising roles at the Gap, GapKids, and babyGap brands.
“Returning to Gap Inc. is deeply meaningful for me,” said Kohler in a statement Tuesday. “Banana Republic has extraordinary heritage and a powerful opportunity to inspire today’s consumer through elevated product, immersive storytelling, and a cohesive customer journey. I believe great brands are built by great teams, and I look forward to getting to know the Banana Republic team and building what’s next together.”
