Gap Partners With Malbon To Bridge The Gap Between Style And Sport

Doris and Donald Fisher opened the first Gap store in 1969 in San Francisco, selling records, tapes and the increasingly popular Levi’s jeans.

The brand’s name was to highlight the generational gap between the young, liberal baby boomers and their conservative post-war parents. As Gap has grown and evolved—now part of Gap Inc. along with Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta—it’s remained rooted in its goal of “championing originality.”

More than 50 years later, Gap is taking that same approach with golf, but with a little help. The globally recognized brand that defined casual American style teamed up with golf-inspired lifestyle brand Malbon Golf to appeal to endemic and non-endemic golfers alike with a new apparel and accessories collection.

“Gap has always been about celebrating true originals,” said Mark Breitbard, Gap President & CEO. “Malbon is not just a golf brand—they’ve created an incredible platform and community that stretches beyond the sport. … The intersection of fashion and sports continues to grow in the cultural zeitgeist, and we’re excited to see such a strong positive response to Gap x Malbon and to be a part of that conversation.”

The 33-piece collection available June 6 merges Malbon’s signature, streetwear-inspired golf aesthetic with Gap’s prep-inspired classics.

Offering a range of versatile, golf-inspired silhouettes for men and women, the collection features fleece, knits and accessories with classic stripes, plaid and herringbone accents that complement the assortment. The collection is highlighted by a custom “PAR” logo, a game-inspired play on the iconic Gap arch logo.

The Generation Golf campaign to celebrate the collection, unsurprisingly, highlights bridging generational gaps by featuring five-time PGA Tour winner Jesper Parnevik, a Malbon Golf ambassador since 2024, and his children, Peg and Phoenix.

While some may scratch their heads at this collaboration, others understand it’s actually a perfect fit as both brands are focused on bridging the gap between generations on and off the course. Founded by Stephen and Erica Malbon in 2017, Malbon Golf’s mission is to “inspire today’s youth to participate in the greatest game on Earth.”

“Malbon has been on our radar for a long time because of how they connect with their community and how they extend the boundaries of golf into a broader creative culture and lifestyle,” said Benjamin Tsujiura, Head of Merchandising, Men’s & Collaborations at Gap. “Working with Malbon was natural. We shared the vision for what ultimately became the line and the campaign.

“I’m very proud of the collection which represents both of our brands’ signature aesthetics and acknowledges how the new generation wants to experience the game.”

Malbon Golf continues to carve out its own niche within the golf industry and culture since its founding. Working with endemic and non-endemic brands on collaborations and collections including FootJoy, Jimmy Choo, Curb Your Enthusiasm and adidas, Malbon Golf continues to shine a spotlight on the game, particularly among golf’s growing youth and diverse demographics.

Growing up with Gap, the collaboration that mixes heritage and contemporary edge is a “full-circle moment” for the Malbons.

“With this collection, we were intentional about honoring that legacy while bringing a modern, sport-forward lens through the Malbon Golf perspective,” said Erica and Stephen Malbon.