Luckily for us, tweedybird went to the event and shared with us her thoughts:
I went to the J Crew cardmember event tonight at the Madison Avenue / 79th Street store featuring Jenna Lyons and a preview of the holiday collection. Anyway, I must have had huge expectations because I was very disappointed. The store was pretty sparse, with few actual shoppers. It appeared that more than half the people present were J Crew employees (dressed very chicly but they all seemed a little standoffish as they were all talking amongst themselves in groups).I was also hoping to see more new items (a sneak preview of things to come in a new collection net yet in stores would have been very cool), but the things in store were largely the same items I've already seen. Or so it seemed.
Anyway, aside from a 15% off discount all purchases that evening, glasses of champagne and very light passed appetizers it was like any other night. Guests were presented with a prettily-wrapped gift (chunky gold bracelet), which was very nice and appreciated.
Forgot to mention that there were some visual delights in the store, such as a table of fluffy spearmint-colored cashmere sweaters and accessories as well as some really gorgeous fitting rooms. Also, I saw some painted (they looked tie-dyed, sort of) Elizabeth halters. Pretty and one of a kind, but a bit pricey at $250 (if I remember correctly).
"Thanks!" to tweedybird for her great review of the event. It sounds as though not too much was revealed (in terms of new and upcoming items), although receiving one of those bracelets does sound fantastic! :)
If you attended tonight's event at the Collection Store, please share with us your review too! :)
That's funny. I've talked to a friend who works as an associate at Banana Republic & they're doing the exact same thing tomorrow night. An invitation had been sent out to the Banana Republic Luxe card holders that were held in the highest regard. Champagne & appetizers will be served as well. I guess everyone is doing it this week . . .
ReplyDeleteJeff: That is such a coincidence! I wonder if BR is going to pass out a gift as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI went to one of the BR events a few months ago and they gave all their card holders mini bottles of their perfume =P
ReplyDeleteOT : I received an email to the Kate Spade online sample sale. The items are not used or defective - just marked down. Here is the link: https://www.katespade.com/samplesale/login.jsp?&source=CME_KSP:Private_Sale:HTML:11_11_08
How do you create a link when leaving a comment?
Green_Dino: Thanks for the heads up on Kate Spade! :)
ReplyDeleteFor links, the best site is this: How to create HTML Links. :)
Thanks Alexis =)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know what chic outfits people were wearing that you might feel are worthy of note. I am ALWAYS looking for new ideas! Thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhich bracelet did you receive? Sounds fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet given out was the Jenna bracelet.I was also there tonight.
ReplyDeleteDid you mean the GIANT bracelet? Kidding--do you like it? It really is the biggest thing I have ever seen IRL but it could very well be darling on!
ReplyDeleteI was in NYC yesterday and of course had to stop by the Collection store just to check it out. Very cute with the light wood floors, displays, and of course, the shoe room - it was nice to actually see the shoes IRL since my B&M doesn't carry them. I liked the layout of outfits by color, but what I thought was most interesting was there didn't seem to be a lot of Collection items there, like other JCA's have said it's more like a regular store with a fancier layout. Definitely worth a peek if you're in the area, but I wouldn't advise making a trip to look for a particular Collection item, you'd just be better off ordering online.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, tweetybird.bird! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! So, was it to show the new items for Christmas or just a thank you for being a customer party? If so is Christmas going to have a ton of great items? What was Jenna wearing?
ReplyDeleteI bought the Jenna bracelet a few months ago and LOVE it. My husband who really doesn't like most of my J Crew likes it on me as well!
I'm confused - I thought it was to preview holiday items - did they do this? How? Or did you just walk around the store?
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of large, chunky jewelry. (Of course I would have taken the free gift and given it away to my sister:) But I wish I could have gone to the event though:)
ReplyDeleteThe big question: So did you get to see any new clothes or not really??? Sounds like you did not...that would have ticked me off is so...
I went to a BR event in September. I happened to arrive an hour early and was happy I parked it at the door. The line stretched around the block by the time 7p rolled around. They had closed the store for a couple hours to prepare. It wasn't a Luxe event, though, and there was no gift. It was very lively and the store was packed. DJ, champagne and passed appetizers (mostly mini tarts and other sweets). I am invited to tonite's event, but don't have plans to go. The J Crew event sounded a little like a dud. I guess it's going to take a bit more work & a turn in the market to get to the place they are trying to go.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review..... While I am an avid JC shopper and platnium card holder-- I do not put many purchases on the card --- and I think that the target was those large JC CC shoppers..... While I would have loved to receive an invite--- based on the review- I guess I did not miss much...... Thanks for those who attended to let us know how it went! BTW, was Jenna nice? Did she offer fashion advice? What was her role in this? Did she speak?
ReplyDeletetweetybird.bird - thanks so much for the review! I was supposed to attend the event last night, but I got held up at work with a crisis. I think it's wonderful that they gave out such a lovely gift! I so wish I was able to be there last night. :-(
ReplyDeleteOT - regarding the 20% off full priced swetaters. I stopped by the Madison Ave. B&M to pick up a few cardigans, and ended up ordering one through the red phone because the store did not have my size. The CS rep was just darling, she applied the 20% off and I also received free shipping. However, when I went to check out at the B&M, the cardigans rang up full price. When I questioned this, the manager said that the 20% off was not valid on cardigans, only to crew neck sweaters, and they had been complying with this rule. I told him that I just ordered a cardigan through the red phone, and the 20% coupon worked on that, plus I tested these particular cardigans online to make sure that the coupon worked, which it did. He applied the 20% as a courtesy, which I appreciate, but I feel like it should not have even been an issue. If anyone comes across this situation at their B&M, definitely explain the situation!
I don't know about the Banana stores in the US, but a few Canadian stores are doing the holiday thing today as well. According to my invite, I get a discount, food, gift with purchase and a chance to win a hand bag.
ReplyDeletetweedybird.bird-I really would like to know more about last night! What did people wear (J Crew). What was Jenna like? What did she wear? Was anyone in one of those fluffy spearmint colored sweaters?
ReplyDeleteMarietta,
ReplyDeleteSo weird! In the B&M I visited last night, I was told all full-priced and promo sweaters were included (as long as they had a sleeve i.e., no shells). I did have to ask though, as there were no signs promoting this sale.
HTH!
Were only people who live in New York invited? Sounds interesting! Did you see lots of Holiday ideas? I haven't been to the Collection store yet, but am hoping to go sometime soon!
ReplyDeletethe BR events are fabulous! i only spend about 1000 year with them (and am luxe) and get invited to all the great events! they usually offer 20-30% off all purchases, have a DJ and tons of food and champagne/wine. they make you feel special even if you don't spend your life savings with them :). j crew on the other hand makes things seem SO exclusive and snotty. i spend a pretty penny there and they have never had gatherings for the normal ish card holders...just the elite elite elite (VIP's according to michael lol) oh well. i guess it doesn't matter bc i still end up shopping there :).
ReplyDelete~Lindsay
Wish I could have been there!
ReplyDeleteI was invited to the BR event, but I can't go because it's in a city 3 hours from me, not in my local store!
yes i would LOVE to know what jenna and other attendees were wearing.
ReplyDeleteWhat is "HTH!"?
ReplyDeleteHa, ha--i just touched on this on the other post-it's Hope That Helps (not Have to Have --like I had thought all this time!):0)
ReplyDeletetweedybird.bird where are you? we want to know what jenna and everyone else was wearing last night!! thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThere is a great review of this event on another J.Crew blog. I would check it out.
ReplyDeleteSince we are a "bit" on the subject what does LOL stand for? (I know I am really out of the loop...but thank you:)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I figured it out...I thought it meant Lots of Love but I had a feeling that was old fashioned:)
ReplyDeleteNow it means...Laughing Out Loud:)
There is a more detailed description of this even on "the other blog"...
ReplyDeletedefinitely not as good as your blog, Alexis....you rock:) but a different perspective for those wanting more detail.
EVENT not even
ReplyDelete