Gap Launches Gala Gown Auction

Gap in sponsorship of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Spring 2010 Costume Institute exhibition launches Gala Gown Auction of dresses designed by Alexander Wang for Gap, Rodarte for Gap, Sophie Theallet for Gap, and Thakoon for Gap. Gap is sponsoring The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Spring 2010 Costume Institute exhibition: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity (on view May 5 - August 15), with additional support provided by Condé Nast. As part of the iconic brand’s sponsorship, Gap Executive Vice President of Global Design Patrick Robinson, will co-chair The Costume Institute Gala Benefit on May 3 in New York City. Inspired by the theme of this year’s exhibition, Gap reignited its relationships with current and past CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners-Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Sophie Theallet and Thakoon - to create eight original gowns for guests to wear to the Gala. The gowns, credited as Alexander Wang for Gap, Rodarte for Gap, Thakoon for Gap, and Sophie Theallet for Gap, will be worn by eight well-known muses who span the fashion, music, film, television and Broadway realms. The designer and celebrity muse pairings include: ”¢ Alexander Wang for Gap: MIA and Zoe Kravitz; ”¢ Rodarte for Gap: Kirsten Dunst and Jamie Bochert ”¢ Thakoon for Gap: Kerry Washington and Riley Keough ”¢ Sophie Theallet for Gap: Jessica Alba and Vera Farmiga The gowns will be unveiled to the general public two days after The Costume Institute Benefit at Gap’s rotating pop-up shop on Fifth Avenue, kicking off the nationwide silent auction where a fortunate few winning bidders will walk away with the highly coveted creations. The silent auction will be offered at www.gap.com/gownauction from May 4-31, 2010. Bidders can log on to see each dress take shape from sketch to reality while learning more about the designers and their inspirations for each piece. All proceeds from the auction will be donated by Gap to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in support of The Costume Institute.