Zac Posen, known as a red carpet fashion maestro, joins Gap as creative director

A file picture showing fashion designer Zac Posen speaking to the media at the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards last November. Photo: AP

Gap Inc has tapped American fashion designer Zac Posen as the chain's creative director.

The hire announced on Monday (Feb 5) is among the first big personnel moves under the San Francisco-based chain's new CEO Richard Dickson, who took the helm in August and is aiming to turn around years of languishing sales.