This is me as of lately. Just enjoying the autumn weather.

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, New Year. I’m ready.

I’m not sure what Old Navy is even trying to do anymore. I always looked at them as sort of a bland family clothing store—a discount GAP (what the really are, actually, seeing as how they’re owned by GAP). For a short time however, I was blown away by their attempt (and success in my opinion) at maturing and evolving into something a little more (see all the gorgeous photos in this post). Where do I stand now? You’ll see.

For a year or so, leading up to the Lights campaign, Old Navy’s advertising department seemed to be hitting the jackpot using catchy songs in television spots and memorable catch phrases. February-June 2008 marked what I consider to be their climax of advertising and overall design. A series of four cinematic tv-spots (led by creative director Landis Smithers, art director Richard Christiansen, associate producer Sara Fisher, cinematographer Darius Khondji, wardrobe stylist Eddie Schachnow, executive producer Connie Bang, first assistant director Paul Norman, and others) were created for each month from February to May. Each showed off the upcoming month’s new collection and also featured a different song from Canadian synthpop artist, Lights. The commercials were beautifully created using state-of-the-art filming equipment and had excellent cinematography and art direction—quality of Hollywood films, really.

The new look of oldnavy was fashion-forward, trendy, and youthful looking. The spring collection could’ve easily fit in at Forever 21 or H&M. In June, there was a follow-up television ad to the Lights campaign showing off some sparkly new evening wear while also advertising for the MTV movie awards. The rest of the summer line saw nothing like that. The interactive website which accompanied the spring campaign became a boring static page of summer collection shots that did the gorgeous garments no justice (Seen in the last two images). When fall and winter came around, the entire Old Navy “NEXT” page had been taken down.

Since then, Old Navy seems to have reverted to their old ways. Selling boring polos and vests with gimmicky advertising. Their new campaign, I believe is something called “The Modelquins” in which a series of still-frames show mannequins in different situations with voiceovers attempting to give them some life. Quite a large step backwards in my book.

I’d love to see some more eye-candy advertising and fashion from Old Navy, but I’m not sure if that’s in their agenda. The Modelquins seem to have a new commercial out every time I turn the tv on—I guess someone’s buying into the advertising.

PS: In addition to returning to old marketing and clothing, Old Navy has also reverted to their old logo (left). I wonder if that has anything to do with why I find myself shopping there less and less lately. Maybe it’s the fact that nothing in that store fits me. Anywho, I definitely favored the new logo (right) and its miniature form, a simple “ON”. Read more about the change on Brand New.

PPS: I still love their two-for-five flipflops. If they ever decide to get rid of those, I don’t know what I’ll do with myself. Maybe explode.

I’m here! I’m here! Life has been busy. Fun, though? Sometimes. Working, saving, sending, spending, enjoying, etc. There’s a lot of eating and not enough sleeping in there, too.

One of the things I’ve been wasting the very few minutes of free time on, has been POLYVORE. It’s a collaging site where you can throw together outfits, make moodboards, or whatever really. It’s a fun way to relax and experiment. Go check it out. Try to ignore the masses of collages cluttered with “keep your head up, girl” quotes made by preteen girls—there’s alot of good inspiration on there if you look for it.