A Look At J.Crew's Head Designer Todd Synder

As mentioned previously (refer to the "J.Crew's Snyder and Lyons: Fashion's Most Powerful " post), Todd Synder is a head designer over at J.Crew. There is a great article published at the Iowa State Daily newspaper that talks about some of Snyder's inspirations. The following is a portion of the article.

J. Crew designer, ISU alumnus says roots have helped his career: Designer finds ideas from movies, music and everyday things
By Paul Nemeth
November 18, 2005

The movie starts. The audience is entertained as it watches Paul Newman on the screen, but, unlike most audience members, Todd Snyder is collecting ideas for future designs. Snyder, vice president of men's design for J. Crew, says he is inspired by many things, including several classic movie stars such as Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. "They weren't cutting-edge fashion, but they were real," Snyder says. "They were guys that had a rugged sensibility. They also had a cleaned-up way about them."

Many times, movies, music and young people help contribute to Snyder's ideas. He says he is always collecting ideas from pop culture and, sometimes, from things as simple as seeing somebody on the subway. His designs comprise many of these elements. "In design, you kind of pull from all those things," Snyder says. "Things that are unique can come from music or come from architecture. They can come from books, magazines or traveling the world. Just simple things like seeing people at the bar. It all of a sudden gets your creative juices flowing. It's all about finding a different point of view."

...Snyder's fashion sense is constantly being updated with the seasons the world of fashion goes through, and he says the younger generation helps him keep up with the times. He says he hopes to inspire that generation the way it inspires him. He says a good eye for trendiness also helps. "I am able to get a pulse of what can make it here and know when something's really cool," Snyder says. "You start seeing kids around here wearing it, and that's when you know you've done something big."

...Snyder has noticed the quality has gone downhill. He says he is sick of people complaining about how the United States doesn't have any good clothing. When people want things cheaper, clothing industries are going to use lower-quality goods, Snyder says. Snyder has worked hard at J. Crew trying to increase the quality of the clothing industry. "We want people to feel like they can buy something and wear it this year, but also two or three years from now," Snyder says. "It's really an investment."

First, I always enjoying reading about the designers over at J.Crew. Second, I think it is great that Synder gets inspiration from everyday life like movies and actor Paul Newman. (Mr. Synder, may I suggest watching AMC's Mad Men as another source of inspiration? I swear you will just love the show and the great clothes!)

What do you think of the article? Do you agree that J.Crew has been offering items that are not just something you will wear for a few years, but a real investment?