Marissa Webb | Today, I wore black.

It looks like the Banana Republic’s Spring 2016 Ready-to-Wear collection was Marissa Webb’s swan song, as it was announced today that she will no longer be their creative director. It’s quite a sad new because she had managed to push Banana Republic – a store that was synonymous with entry-level suits – in a fresher, more contemporary direction, all the while retaining its understated, clean look.

Rumors has it that Gap Inc has chosen to replace Webb, not by a single person but rather by design team – just as they did Gap. My only hope is that going that route will have better consequences on the esthetics of Banana Republic’s future collections than it has had on Gap’s latest collections…

Regardless, at least I have these pieces to look forward to:

Photo: Alex Antitch / Courtesy of Banana Republic

Photo: Courtesy of Banana Republic

Yesterday, I had a very productive shopping day: everything I had been eyeing lately was purchased. A pair of slingback kitten heels? Bought. That great black and white pencil skirt from Banana Republic? Bought. Speaking of Banana Republic, amen for Marissa Webb – I really like what she’s been doing with the brand. Check out the Huarache Oxfords shown below: per-fec-tion. I will definitely be adding them to my summer wish list on Pinterest. And lastly, a new blazer to tie everything together. By the way, Zara sells great blazers – bon, beau, pas cher as we say in French.

All this to say that I built the perfect power woman outfit and yet, I didn’t spend a penny. Is there anything better than shopping with someone else’s money? There really isn’t – so thank you M. for buying all these items that I loved, but really had no use for in my line of work.