A few looks from Banana Republic's spring collection. Photo: BFANYC

Last night, Banana Republic unveiled their spring collection way above New York City in the Glass Houses. The collection was, of course, easy, breezy and Safari-themed (for the most part). Creative Director Simon Kneen said he’d been feeling South America over the summer. Not thanks to a vacation—”I wish!”—but from his rotating playlist of boss nova. “I was listening to a lot of Astrud Gilberto over the summer, that really helped! It got me in the mood, thinking of the color and the vibrancy in a very kind of cool, relaxed, lying on the beach somewhere kind of way.” Though the prints were bright, the silhouettes were sharp. A-line skirts and nipped waist dresses provided plenty of work-to-drinks options. As for the current season, we asked Kneen what kind of last minute Halloween costume one could put together with only Banana Republic.  “That’d be very difficult! I don’t think you could go with Lady Gaga,” he said, looking puzzled. “But you could go with Princess Catherine? A great dress with a good bag and a great shoe—you’d look polished and refined like a princess. Some people I’m sure would say, “What are you?” and you’d have to tell them, but that’s a modern princess for you!”