Banana Republic, the American fashion brand for classics at affordable prices, opened its first French store on Paris’ iconic Champs Elysees this week. Founded in California in 1978 by two avid travelers who brought back safari gear from the four corners of the world, the brand, now owned by Gap, continues in its globetrotting by now exporting its mass-produced, on-trend clothing to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Neighbor to other fellow international mega-brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Marks & Spencer, both of which recently opened Parisian flagships on the Champs Elysees, Banana Republic made a splash with its 1500-square-meter space, with a Hamptons-esque look spread over two floors. The shop carries men’s and women’s collections including Weekend (casual separates) and Monogram (evening wear), plus shoes, costume jewelry, bags, and belts.

>more