Designer Todd Oldham Joins Old Navy

San Francisco, Gap. Inc. has hired Todd Oldham, who has experience in both interior design and fashion, as Old Navy’s new design creative director, effective Oct. 1. In addition to his merchandise-design duties, Oldham will also create a new line under his own name to be sold exclusively at Old Navy.

Oldham began his career in the fashion industry, but in recent years has shifted more to interior design. In 2002 and 2003, he designed a line of dorm-room furniture for Target Inc. Currently, he hosts an interior-design show on the Bravo network.

Old Navy has been the biggest drag on Gap during a downturn that is now entering its fourth year. Through the first half of this year, Old Navy's comparable-store sales had fallen by 7% compared to last year.