Mediasearch

:: Gap celebrates its first ever Australian store opening at Chadstone

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

Gap has celebrated the launch of its first Australian store in style with an exclusive launch party for members of the media and fashion community. On Wednesday, August 25 2010 Chadstone Shopping Centre was transformed for the chic event which was hosted by radio Fox FM's Jo Stanley and featured a rocking performance by The Potbelleez. Guests snacked on mini burgers and Caesar salads and sipped Bellinis. Lindy Klim also did some DJing on the night.

The store itself was hidden behind a giant wall of denim and a huge zipper which was unzipped at 9.00pm so guests could be the first to enter and shop at the very first Australian Gap store. On Thursday, August 26 2010 Australia’s first Gap store opened to a crowd of excited customers. By 7.00am there was a line of up to 50 shoppers eagerly waiting to make their first Australian Gap purchase.

Those customers who registered on the Australian Gap microsite Gap microsite were invited to a VIP pre-shopping event before the doors opened to the public at 9.00am.

Various in-store activities were held throughout the day to celebrate the launch. On the hour every hour lucky shoppers won gift bags filled with Gap goodies not available for sale in Australia. From 4.00pm to 7.00pm the Fox FM Street Team entertained shoppers with more giveaways, children’s face painting and a photo board opportunity where customers took away a polaroid as a keepsake of their first Australian Gap shopping experience. The store was open for trade until 9.00pm.

Gap is one of the most iconic fashion brands and has been reigning wardrobes around the world since 1969. Gap is known for its casual approach to fashion, designing everything from baby, kids, accessories, men’s and women’s. The new Melbourne Chadstone branches over 1,200 square metres, in a design of timber and glass. It took much negotiation but it's all now come together with much to offer the public.

The second Gap store is set to open in Westfield Sydney at the end of October.

Here are photos from the occasion.