Gap’s Doris Fisher Passes Away at 94

Doris Fisher, who co-founded the Gap chain, has died at the age of 94, Gap Inc. (San Francisco) announced. The news release on her death described Fisher as “a pioneering force in American retail and a devoted advocate for the arts and education.”

In 1969, with her husband, the late Donald Fisher, Doris co-founded The Gap after a frustrating shopping experience when Don couldn’t find a pair of jeans that fit, according to company lore. “That one small store in San Francisco became the foundation for a global retail empire. Under their leadership, Gap Inc. expanded to include Banana Republic and Old Navy, reshaping American fashion with a focus on simplicity, accessibility and social responsibility,” the release noted.

In a letter to Gap employees, President and CEO Richard Dickson offered this tribute to Fisher: “In Gap-speak, she was a true original. Doris was a full partner in Gap Inc.’s founding and a path-breaking entrepreneur at a time when that was highly unusual for women. She understood first-hand the value of self-expression, diversity, and inclusion. And she worked tirelessly to ensure that Gap Inc. always did more than sell clothes.
“So, it’s no coincidence that there’s a whole lot of Doris in Gap Inc.’s purpose: we bridge gaps to create a better world.

“As one of fashion’s great power couples, Doris and Don created a remarkable company that revolutionized fashion retail. They introduced the world to some of America’s most iconic brands, including energetic new perspectives on everything from denim and khakis to white shirts and safari jackets. Most of all, they gave us, the future of Gap Inc., a powerful legacy to grow.” [Don Fisher died in 2009.]

In Doris’ memory, the Fisher family requests that donations be made to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or the KIPP Foundation Northern California.