Henry Zankov, the king of knits, is bringing his expertise and mood-boosting color palette to Banana Republic this fall. For the collab, the designer dug deep into the retailer’s archives to refresh old favorites—the Zankov way: “infusing it with color, texture, and a sense of humor.” Striped brushed cashmere sweaters are spliced together like patchwork alongside saturated marigold yellow knits and colorful socks dipped in lilac and rich tangerine. Styling-wise, you can pair one of the brushed cashmere patchwork knits with a pencil skirt or, as Zankov suggests, wear it as an accessory: “like scarves around your shoulders or hips.”
Although Zankov is known for his expertise in knitwear, his designs extend beyond that category, and his goal, he says, is to create “future heirlooms.” It’s this idea that inspired the collection for Banana Republic. “I wanted the pieces to feel collectible. Ones you can cherish and keep for a long time,” Zankov says. Standout heroes include the Mateo, a burgundy leather bomber jacket; the Helene, a leather-and-suede pencil skirt riffed from an archival 1986 style; and the Lev, a reimagining of an archival 1950s car coat, featuring a ballooned silhouette and a leather collar.
For anyone tired of the same black, white, and beige wardrobe, the Zankov x Banana Republic collection adds an injection of colorful energy into an existing wardrobe capsule.
Priced between $90 and $600, the 27-piece collection spans womenswear, menswear, and accessories. It launches October 20 in stores and at bananarepublic.com, with early access for loyalty members on October 19.
