By ,
Published December 13, 2016
Banana Republic may be turning from business casual and chic to trendy and hip, with a Latino twist.
The chain announced that famed Cuban designer Narciso Rodriguez is getting a large role at the company.
The well-known Latino designer, loved by all sorts of fans, from Sarah Jessica Parker to Michelle Obama, is taking an advisory role with the company, Banana Republic announced Tuesday. The company said he will “build upon the strengths of the brand” and will work with Simon Kneen, Banana Republic’s creative director and executive vice president of design.
“At Banana Republic, we are committed to delivering modern, stylish work wear to our customers,” Jack Calhoun, the president of Banana Republic, said in a press release. “Narciso's expertise will be a great complement to Simon’s strengths and to our incredible design team.”
It is a position created for Rodriguez, who grew up in Newark, N.J. and is part of an elite group of famous, high-end Latino designers.
Rodriguez is known for clean, architectural and modern silhouettes. He has his own signature collection and has twice won the Council of Fashion Designers of America award as the nation's best womenswear designer.
He will continue his own label, which was recently expanded to include shoes, and will show his new spring collection during New York Fashion Week next month.
Rodriguez has a limited-edition project building a collection inspired by the Turkish city of Istanbul in the works with Kohl's later this fall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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