Robinson at last year's Gap sponsored Met Ball. Photo: Getty Images

Gap’s problems can’t be blamed on Patrick Robinson—the designer was named Creative Director long after sales started to falter and stores like J.Crew and Abercrombie ate up all their customers. But in the four years Robinson’s been at the helm, he hasn’t done much to help matters either. Though Robinson’s focused on re-inventing the jean (which he’s done well, we’re wearing them now) he’s missed the mark when it comes to getting Gap’s core customer back into the store.

A retail analyst told the Times, “Gap really resonates when there’s color and pop and vibrancy. Part of what Gap had done well is use bright colors to connect with customers’ emotions, particularly around the holiday season, and we didn’t see as much of that,” and a press release announcing Robinson’s dismissal confirms disappointment with his neutral palette. Until they find a successor, a designer from Gap kids will work on the mainline. In the meantime, if they pluck another fashion world insider, who do you think should be given a shot?