Jenna Lyons, SVP of Design for J.Crew, presented her spring 2010 collection yesterday in New York at the company's downtown headquarters.
A mix of utilitarian sportswear and cheerful sequined separates, the spring line combined camouflaged military jackets and khaki anoraks with pastel ruffled mini skirts and paillette-covered tunics. There were pops of bright coral, mint green, and pale blue set against a neutral palette, most notably in a striped floral shift—which Lyons told us was created by cutting strips of the printed fabric and inserting thin silk georgette panels in between.
Accessories included gold and silver metallic desert boots and boat shoes, ecru lace-up Oxfords, and oversized leather handbags. Models were dripping in jewelry—an increasingly important category for J.Crew—sparkling in oversized crystal drop earrings, layered charm necklaces, and stacked jeweled cuffs.
Greeting guests in one of fall's most popular hooded army jackets, Lyons talked about reinventing sportswear and her dedication to optimistic clothing—for that (and for the price points) we are forever grateful.
J.Crew is begininng to switch into fall mode--even without the inventory. Having become experts in merchandising, J.Crew is able to launch a fall message with only summery tanks and dresses occupying their New Arrivals section. The explanation: it's all about layering. Take the new Petal tank, available in three colors, add a classic year-round blazer and voilà--fall has arrived. Not only is the outfit chic but we have to commend them for their sense in marketing.
Soft suitcases in light colors are a chic and modern way to travel. If you can't rationalize designer prices, J.Crew offers a leather suitcase that we find to be an excellent replacement. The J.Crew Lugano leather suitcase will still set you back $1,800 but compared with those from Hermes, the price is downright reasonable. Handcrafted in Italy the Lugano bag comes in stone and orange and is comprised of naturally tanned Italian vachetta calf leather. Old fashioned and modern at the same time, luxurious but not flashy--this bag is high on our 2009 wishlist.
Not only does JCrew's website look like it's received some much needed maintenance, its also showing off their recent partnership with clothing line Lemlem. Lemlem launched back in 2007 at the hands of supermodel and Goodwill Ambassador Liya Kebede. The line is mostly for children but there are scarves and kaftans for women too. The clothing is handmade in Ethiopia from natural cotton and is beautifully light and vibrant with color. Kebede started the clothing line in order to inspire economic independence in the communities who produce these beautiful clothes while supporting their ancient tradition. Click on the title link to check out the range on J.Crew's website.
Americans like classics from cars to appliances and even in their fashion so it's always interesting to us to see what great American brands have the loyalties of shoppers. According to BrandKeys who styles themselves as the world leader in consumer loyalty metrics the brands that have captured our hearts and pocket books are in fact purveyors of great fashion classics. The top four brands in their 2008
Customer Loyalty Engagement Index are:
1. L.L. Bean
2. J. Crew
3. Eddie Bauer/Land's End (tie)
4. Sears
We couldn't agree more actually as L.L Bean's duck boots, Eddie Bauer's goofy sweaters, Land's Ends canvas totes, J.Crew's colorful cardigans and yes Sear's stylish appliances are all fashionable classics to which even the most chic remain loyal. In fact our household owns all of these items.
Now that the madness of the Spring 2009 shows are mostly over we are free to focus on what more fashion retailers will be focusing on for the increasingly tricky to forecast Spring 2009 recession season. Women's Wear Daily had a special preview of J. Crew and Madewell for Spring 2009. that they said was all about contrasts and closet-raiding. Typical J.Crew fare like slouchy menswear blazers and vintage detailing (reinvented with jacquard) was contrasted with a muted color palette of mint greens and nudes that made it a more typically trendy collection than J.Crew's formerly bright saturated preppy image. it was a pleasing set of collections from creative director Jenna Lyons.
J Crew, despite poor timing, has opened its first Collection store where discreet signage, world class merchandising, and a mix of "uptown and downtown looks" give the consumer a taste of luxury from a name they can trust. Aside from some of the classic J. Crew pieces, the new store is selling garments priced upwards of one thousand dollars.
Jenna Lyons, SVP of Design for J.Crew, presented her spring 2010 collection yesterday in New York at the company's downtown headquarters. 
Soft suitcases in light colors are a chic and modern way to travel. If you can't rationalize designer prices, J.Crew offers a leather suitcase that we find to be an excellent replacement. The J.Crew Lugano leather suitcase will still set you back $1,800 but compared with those 
Not only does JCrew's website look like it's received some 
J Crew, despite poor timing, has opened 
Princesse Tam-Tam
Fred Perry
David & Scotti
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