Mel Ziegler and Patricia Ziegler are an American business couple. They are the founders of Banana Republic, a clothing and accessory retailer. Alongside William Rosenzweig, they co-founded The Republic of Tea. They eventually sold both companies.
Early careers
Both Zieglers worked at San Francisco Chronicle -- Patricia an illustrator and Mel a reporter. ==Apparel career==
Apparel career
The Zieglers founded Banana Republic in Mill Valley, California, in 1978. The brand's safari-style clothing was styled by Patricia Ziegler. Mel wrote the catalog. Upon hearing the business's name, a friend told the Zieglers, "Bad choice. You'll be picketed by people from small hot countries." The couple published a 2012 memoir titled Wild Company, The Untold Story of Banana Republic. ==Personal==
Personal
The Zieglers moved to the foothills of Mount Tamalpais above Mill Valley and renovated a 1929 house in a project that cost an estimated $2 million. ==References==