It’s not often that New Yorkers are happy to make their way through the neon chaos of 42nd Street on a Monday evening, but Old Navy’s unveiling of its collaboration with Christopher John Rogers was welcome cause for celebration. Upon arrival at the retailer’s flagship store, guests were welcomed by disco dancers twirling on elevated platforms, trays of striped jello shots, and a soundtrack of upbeat funk. “We brought a dance party to Times Square,” Zac Posen, EVP and creative director at Gap Inc., told Vogue, “Tonight, we’ve brought together industry friends, fans of Christopher’s work, and new customers.”
The ground floor level of the store was transformed into a ‘70s-style dance club with dark draping, glowing blue lights, and a spinning mirrored ball. But unlike any other Manhattan club, this one had an unmistakable CJR twist. “We stretched out the stripe, exploded the polka dot, played with bold colors, and added a hand-done quality to the artwork,” Rogers explained. These patterns and shades were the through-line of the evening: wrapping the DJ booth and pillars, lining the shopping racks, and even appearing in the garnishes on the hors d’oeuvres.
Katie Holmes, Jenna Lyons, Gayle King, Chloe Fineman, Iris Apatow, and Kimora Lee Simmons—who starred in the collection’s campaign alongside her daughters Aoki and Ming Lee Simmons—all wore head-to-toe looks from the line, furthering its presence throughout the night and showcasing its versatility. “We’re speaking to a wide range of ages and people with the campaign,” Simmons shared while sitting atop a chartreuse sofa. “It’s amazing to be able to show that these pieces work for both moms, like myself, and their daughters. And I love to see that people are interested in this kind of diversity.”
As the evening continued and guests sipped pineapple-flavored drinks, the excitement in the air was palpable. “It’s a testament to Zac that he’s able to bring on such a wonderful American designer to create something that brings us right into springtime,” Katie Holmes shared with Vogue. “The pieces feel really wearable for so many generations.”
Many had anchored their looks with low-rise jeans from the collection: Apatow paired hers with a CJR-logo tank, Holmes styled them with a green long-sleeve, and Fineman added a funnel-neck jacket for extra edge. Others gravitated towards the playful stripes that center the range; for Gayle King, it was a body-hugging dress while Kimora Lee Simmons opted for a long-sleeve T-shirt version.
With cocktails flowing and spirits high, attendees had the opportunity to raid the shopping racks and snag pieces from the collection before it officially launches on April 15. “If you’re a real fashionista, just buy the whole thing,” Posen laughed. “You get a wardrobe for a month!”
Guests spilled back into the ever-crowded Times Square as the sun began to set, colorful macarons in tow. With them lingered the evening’s energy—a sense of optimism and delight that echoed Rogers’s vision. “Having the opportunity to disseminate something quite directional to a customer who is creating a point of view for themselves feels like a privilege,” he shared. Posen added, “Old Navy is a place for discovery and excitement. We have a responsibility to educate, inspire, and teach our customers, because that takes them through the power of fashion.”
