This week in honor of Black History Month, we launched the refreshed The Gap Collective – an ongoing product collaboration, featuring artists from around the globe and within our own community, that celebrates the spirit of activism and inspires a forward-moving energy.
This season’s capsule of tees and hats – designed by three artists and allies from our own Gap Inc. family – raises up Black lives, stories, voices and art. Each of the pieces feature powerful, personal themes of fearlessness, beauty, heritage and legacy to honor Black history and celebrate Black future.
Meet the incredible artists behind the collection:
Courtney Minor, Customer Insights.
What does it mean to you to design for The Gap Collective?
Courtney: Eyes tell a story. No matter how composed someone is, their eyes give it all away. That vulnerability is what I showcase in my work and in my design for this season’s capsule.
What was your inspiration behind the design?
Courtney: This piece combines a male and female portrait, layered with words from the past and present, featuring references from Booker T. Washington, slave songs and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to name a few.
See more of Courtney's art via @theronimart and @virginias.daughter on Instagram. You can also catch her featured in two art magazines, All She Makes and Marika, over the coming weeks!
Tatiana Hill, GM of Old Navy's Mebane Tanger store.
What does it mean to you to participate in this season's capsule of The Gap Collective?
Tatiana: I’m here to tell Black stories. To represent everyone. And to show that Black artists matter.
What was your inspiration behind the design?
Tatiana: When I create, my goal is to shine light on the natural beauty of Black women. I wanted women – like myself or my daughter – to see themselves in the design. I wanted people to feel represented and included in the bigger vision. My piece in this season's capsule highlights natural hair as a crown that Black and Brown women should be proud to display.
Dwayne Dupréy, Store Strategy + Operations.
What does it mean to you to design for The Gap Collective?
Dwayne: In participating in The Gap Collective, it's been important to share art that speaks to both my ancestral roots and my children. I wanted to connect those important areas of my life to inspire others and serve as an homage.
What was your inspiration behind the design?
Dwayne: Each piece was inspired by something different for each stage in my life. The female profile was inspired by West African artwork I would see in my childhood home, particularly one of my uncle's own. The guy with the city background was influenced by 90s hip hop - think starter jackets, snapback hats and bold color palettes (peep the sketch!).
And the Kids + Baby piece was a reflection of my own children, who love for me to read them books. I added positive affirmations into the design to inspire children and honor our ancestors’ great accomplishments.
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