J.Crew's latest website update with new Spring arrivals has provided all sorts of behind the scenes look, including a short video (just under 3 minutes) showing the "behind the design" of the latest Spring & Summer 2010 collection.The video (click here to view it) features J.Crew's Creative Director Jenna Lyons, apparently referred to by others as "Commander in Chic", and her inspirations for the latest collection.
There is something fun about getting to see how J.Crew puts together their outfits & photo shoots. :)
What are your thoughts on the video? Are there any points or scenes that you found particularly interesting? Do you care (or not care) for these "behind the scene" looks?
I always like to see videos showcasing a behind the scenes approach to j.crew. While I have no problem with Jenna whatsoever, I would have loved to hear from Gayle (the stylist), whom they showed briefly.
ReplyDeleteThe only bad reaction I had was when Jenna was talking about the jewelry ("go big or go home!") and they showed those god-awful earrings that looked like gold eggs hanging off the poor girl's ear. Wow, that looked painful! Yeesh...
It's interesting that Jenna is actually wearing one of those crazy styled outfits herself. I guess she does see these overly-styled styles as "wearable". Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI liked watching the video. It explains why I don't care for this spring's collection. Now I understand! Jenna seems "nice" and soft spoken. I would never wear a nice sparkle top with a sweatshirt. If that is what she likes great; but not my style.
ReplyDeleteI loved this video and will probably watch it a few times. The necklace on the model with the blue and white striped shirt with the grey boatneck sweater with white piping - it has a pearl chain with a huge broach like front piece that she's wearing over a buttoned up shirt. What are everyone's opinions on it? Is the front piece too much like a Christmas ornament? I like the look and could wear it since it' worn over a shirt. Thoughts anyone? Too OTT?
ReplyDeleteOdd...How much can Jenna love the women's collection if she herself is wearing a jakcet and flannel from the men's 2009 line?
ReplyDeleteToo much neon and yes, the sparkly skirts and tops with sweatshirts look awful. That being said, if you skip the weird layered styling these peices on their own could be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFor a blog devoted to fans of J.Crew, it always surprises me how many negative comments are posted about J.Crew's styling and designs. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but I wonder why the people who love the styling of the catalogs, like myself, do not speak up more in the comments here. I love the styling in the catalogs and on the website and in this video and though I wouldn't necessarily wear all of it -I do take a lot of inspiration from it all and really enjoy it. I think it would be very easy and very boring to dress and look at only traditional, preppy, classic J.Crew outfits and styling.
ReplyDeleteJust my opinion . . .
Jennifer : I agree with you about drawing inspiration from the catalog photographs. Styling the pieces (of course not so extremely that they look artificial) just adds more excitement and and makes one have fun while doing it
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteBoring maybe to you but I prefer that look and that is what JCrew used to be preppy and classic (I don't do disposable all fashionable clothing that only lasts a season or two esp. with JCrew pricing) and their new look is fairly recent as fall 2007 or so was still classic...other companies seem to think this classic look is the wave of the future as Lands End and LLBean are launching brand new lines similar to the old JCrew.
Genny,
ReplyDeleteIf it were the case that the old 2007 preppy J.Crew was really best - why doesn't the stock price and business of J.Crew reflect that? J.Crew has had an amazing past year despite the recession and that can't be attributed to consumers not liking the new J.Crew as much as 2007. The business and the numbers - as well as the fashion press and editors - support the fact that consumers like the new, stylish J.Crew best.
Jennifer: J Crew has reduced their overhead this has boosted their profits along with opening new stores and cutting quality on many of their items.
ReplyDeleteWe all have our individual styles, likes and dilikes, I personally find the comments posted on this blog invaluable positive and negative.
I love many of the new peices J.Crew has offered post 2007, the pencil skirts, merino sweaters, and jewelry have all been great new additions to J.Crew and I wouldn't post on this website if I didn't love these items and have a closet full of them Jennifer. Its just hard to see wearing many of the layers, multiple belts and accessories, and sweatshirts and sparkly clothes on the street! The catalogs do inspire me but lately I do have a tought time trying to figure out what the clothes look like under the multiple layers. Maybe this style of layering works in Manhattan but DC, where I live, tends to be more conservative. DC does have lots of stylish young professionals here though but we aren't showing up to meetings with sweatshirts and sparkles and three belts.
ReplyDeleteJennifer: It is interesting you bring up stock price. J.Crew's stock price was at an all-time high during the past 5 years in 2007 (close to $60 a share). It reached an all-time low in the past five years at the end of 2008 (less than $10 a share). But in all fairness, these numbers also reflect the economic realities of their times. (In particular, Winter 2008 was a difficult time for any company, let alone clothing retailer. So most stocks, except for maybe Wal-Mart & McDonalds were down in value.) Also I wanted to add that your comment about not necessarily taking the styling literally, but drawing inspiration from is a valid & really good point. :)
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I wrote this in another post, but it seems applicable to this discussion here too... I think one of the benefits of this blog is that JCAs post their honest opinions about items, styles, etc. It is great to read reviews & comments- both the good and the bad.
I also believe this blog has *both* positive & negative comments/ reviews. (And the comments here seem to me, to look the same as the ones on J.Crew's FaceBook page, another site that loves J.Crew.) It's like the half full / half empty cup, in terms of how we see things. Lastly, the great thing about blogs in general is we have the option to skip comments & posts that we do not care for. :)
I love J.Crew and for the past few years I have been shopping exclusively there (no Gap, no BR, no Nordstroms for me now). I have no plans of taking my money anywhere else. I also look forward to seeing what new items they roll out, which always seems to get my attention (& money!) ;)
I hope everyone has a great weekend! :)
Found the video fun to watch - I think the styling inspires me to put my own look together using some of JC's pieces, but not head to toe. Continue to love the palette of colors. Bought the black blossom Nico skirt yesterday at my B&M. I plan on wearing it a lot this spring, in many different ways!
ReplyDeleteJennfier,
ReplyDeleteSorry. Don't agree.
Seems others have posted after me stating why your statement is not nec. true.
I too value all opinions on the blog. Positive/Negative. The whole kit and kaboodle:)
I still love and value all the great post about JCrew directly but have also been fond of all the OT posts on Ann Taylor, AT Loft, LLBean, Lands End, and Talbots. My wardrobe used to be 90% JCRew for about 8 year now. The past year it has done a 360 and I now buy about 10% of my clothes from JC and 90% from other stores. I have found the quality to be much better than JCRew for very similar product and at less cost.
ReplyDeleteJCrew cut a lot of jobs and pensions and I don't know what else (quality?) to get where they are now so I don't think the NEW JCrew is what has made them profitable overall this past year. Lots of cost cutting measures.
I do see lots of posts with people loving new JCrew items but also just as many wishing for more classic, quality pieces. JCrew needs to be careful b/c over time they may loose some of their older loyal customers....
I totally agree with Jennifer and Okha. and Alexis. Thanks for saying everything I was thinking. I don't shop anywhere else but J. crew and can't wait for the new catalogs and look forward to going to my local B&M to see the new items the day they go on the floor. I am fairly conservative yet I find pieces that I can make my own. You're not meant to wear the outfits exactly as they are styled in the catalog or what you seen on a runway. You're not going to love everything they show as is. Be realistic. Fashion is fun and a chance to get creative and buy items that you like and think about how you can mix it in with your wardrobe of the other pieces you own and love. I find many items I love and make them work for me. It's all about choice and making decisions that fit your style and your lifestyle. I hand wash most of my delicate things which helps my clothes last for years. Genny, it seems LL. Bean and Lands End is a better fit for you now.Glad you found new companies that will satisfy your desire for the old J. Crew. As for me, I plan to stick with J. Crew and read this blog for help to decide what will work for me in terms of quality and fit.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is room for the good and the bad. But when posters only post the bad and don't appear to be seeing any good at all. It's time to read another blog.
ReplyDeleteLSS,
ReplyDeleteOh, I plan to stick with JCrew and never leave but I am also a very discriminating person who sees quality as well as style as important.
I have ordered 4 items from the new line but they are all accessories and one is a swimsuit.
I ordered 17 items from Land's End this week.
Just the way things are when companies change.
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ReplyDeleteGreat video! What I enjoy most about them (as well as the JC catalogue) is the creativity and artistry of the fashion presented in them - which is so much fun. As some other JCAs have commented, I think that the idea is not to necessarily replicate these looks detail for detail but rather to look to them for inspiration. That is, take away from them the styling ideas that you can make your own.
ReplyDeleteI like Jenna's styling ideas about pairing sparkly, sequin tops with more casual wear. We often read on other fashion blogs that you should be able to create at least 3 looks with a piece in order to justify adding it your closet. Apply this philosophy to sequin items and they become more practical to buy. There is nothing sadder than buying an expensive,sequin skirt and only wearing it once per year at New Year's!
Lastly, Jenna's idea of wearing multiples of jewelry whether it be bracelets or necklaces is another look I really like. Thanks for sharing the video, Alexis!
Thank you for posting this Alexis...I always enjoy seeing the behind the scenes videos. :) As we move closer to Spring I am beginning to enjoy the new color palette more. It feels feminine and combined with the different prints is very pretty, IMO. I will say, however, that so many of the pieces make me feel as if I am reliving the 80's, especially the large earrings that AppGal mentioned and the necklace that Elizabeth asked about. I actually owned and wore a pair of earrings that were very similar, and the way the necklace is styled under the collar of the shirt makes it look like a brooch is pinned there (another 80's trend). Not that either of these are a bad thing...just very 80's. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs for the styling...I never take it literally and don't plan on duplicating the looks exactly as shown . I do, however, appreciate seeing the different ideas they have to offer, and I then interpret them in my own way to fit my personal taste and lifestyle.
Elizabeth: I think the necklace is lovely and not at all like a Christmas ornament. It actually reminds me more of an heirloom and is more than likely prettier IRL than it is on the video.
Love the style of this sweater, but have to avoid it because of the "thin" material - I agree with FFM - I don't like to see my entire tank or tee under a cardigan. I, too, really stick to only J.Crew's printed merino cardis and the occasional wool or cashmere, but generally avoid all the "thin" sweaters. I am seeing some beautiful options at Talbots - can anyone comment on Talbots' cashmere??? TIA!
ReplyDeleteOops! I meant to put this comment under the other post about the merino-linen cardi! Sorry!
ReplyDeleteFabulousFloridaMommy thank you for your feedback, I didn't know it was an 80's throwback, haha oh well! I do think it's pretty but they make everyone in those videos look nice, with the exception of no pants. Will have to see what it looks like when it comes out, thanks again!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, if you like the look of the necklace, you might try to recreate something similar with what you already have. I saw an article in a magazine several months ago about taking a brooch and using it on a couple of necklaces. I tried mixing and matching with what some jewelry pieces and came up with a couple of possibilites. Finally wore one combo, and had many compliments on it. I don't wear it outside of a collared shirt but with a scoop neck top. If you like what you create, then that should help you decide whether to buy.
ReplyDeletemathteacher that's a great thought. It also depends on how much it costs. For $325. I can get a platinum chain from Tiffany (which I can wear against my skin) and collect charms for it. So a $300. costume necklace is not logical to me. The Crystal Libretto, however, was perfectly styled and priced so I got it in two colors.
ReplyDeleteI have a beautiful pin I bought a year or two ago to put on a long strand of pearls, but I still haven't actually done it. I have both, it just looked really glitzy when I put it on. Jenna would have worn it plus six other necklaces and wondered what my problem was :)
math teacher,
ReplyDeleteGreat comments. I too have tried doing what you mentioned with jewelry I already own. It is fun:) Glad you got some compliments on what you created:)
Sorry but I think their current styling blows, and would never be caught dead in anything resembling the outfits in the catalogs or on the website. As opposed to fall 07 and earlier, when I and many other JCAs would copy outfits right out of the catalog. Or, still do! The wacky styling combined with the terrible quality means that I barely buy JCrew anymore aside from suiting, outerwear, and purses/shoes, and then it is only at an extreme discount. I think many of us JCAs are longtime JCrew lovers who started loving JCrew when it was the old, preppy with a twist, JCrew. Oh, how I miss it!
ReplyDeleteEm, I totally agree - I thought the styles in the video were absolutely hideous. There are the JCA's that lived through the 80's and its fashion, and the JCA's that didn't and are seeing this "80's revival" for the first time. I don't know what JC's target market is anymore (I'm guessing maybe 15-year-olds with disposable income and no concern for quality/longevity - hey, I was there once!) but I'm pretty sure that I'm not it. I don't feel bad about shopping elsewhere, just think that JC's identity crisis is kinda sad.
ReplyDeletehmm... Sounds like the jcrew flack are once again infiltrating the jca blog to defend their trend obsessed, disposable wares of late. Many of us who have been shopping the label for several years (5, 8, 10+ years etc.), are dismayed in the downward progression in quality, inconsistent sizing, and increased price. Many of us still shop at jcrew, because there are still some good pieces to be had, but we are more discerning. Not like this is different from any other retailer.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to read glowing pseudo reviews of the corporate party line, there are plenty of blogs/magazine advertisements ("articles") out there that jcrew has paid for.
JB, Jenna is wearing a men's flannel shirt but I believe she is wearing the women's item 19985 - Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket. It's a little more fitted than the men's version. I like the jacket but can't buy it because my husband has the men's and we are not ready to start dressing alike!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video. It's always fun to see the styling, even if everything doesn't translate to my lifestyle. Someone has got to push the envelope, right? It could never be me, I'm much too safe in my choices. If someone didn't give my style a nudge I would probably still be wearing my high school uniform.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the old preppy J.Crew style but I really love a lot of the newer, feminine looks. The perennial reincarnation of the pencil skirt is something I look forward to each rollout. J.Crew kicks @ss with their fabrics and patterns in pencils, no one else compares for the price IMO. They fit so well and I love that you can dress them up for work or down for casual, wear them with girly pieces or even tart them up if you want. So flattering and stylish, they have become my work uniform.
There are lots of other things I can't wait to buy, the pencils are just one example. I do think the preppy style is coming back in general though. The boat shoes, brogues and Bass loafers at J.Crew seem to give that indication. And the chinos and polos are still around so there is preppy to be had at J.Crew. Wonder if they will ever bring back the barn jackets. Anyone remember those? My Dad had one and I always thought it was so cool...
Elizabeth: Re'80s throwbacks...if you get the chance, watch the movie *Pretty In Pink* with Molly Ringwald. Lots of them in it. :)
ReplyDeleteHi FFM and Elizabeth - I just saw the 1987 film "The Pick-Up Artist" with Molly Ringwald and Robert Downey Jr the other day. At one point, Molly's wearing a button-down plaid shirt (buttoned up all the way), belted, with a dangly necklace worn outside the collar and oversized blazer. Sound familiar? ;)
ReplyDeleteCaptain Crew I had a Barn Jacket in the 7th 8th and 9th grades and lots of the rollneck sweaters and loved these. These are J.Crew classics and in addition to their new innovative items perhaps J.Crew could have a smaller classics section? Banana Republic has something like a classics section. I think if J.Crew brought these items back they would be met with enthusiasm even from their newer trendier customers.
ReplyDeletesilverlining and FFM, kind of depressing since that would be a way I could wear the metal necklaces (outside the shirt) but it would bring back old 80's movies in everyone's mind. Oh well...
ReplyDeleteGlobe Trotter ITA. A classics section would be fun. Some of the earlier items were really great and surely would be popular today.
ReplyDeleteLove the video, thanks for posting it Alexis!
ReplyDeleteThe styling is over the top but inspirational in my opinion. I wouldn't wear any of the looks as is but I try to incorporate some of the elements into my wardrobe. I kind of love piling on the necklaces, especially with a somewhat masculine piece such as a military-inspired jacket or sweater.
I agree with many of the comments that I do miss the clean, classic look of the old J. Crew. But it's also nice to see J. Crew adding some more fashionable items, especially the jewelry line (one can only own so many pearl strands!). I'll admit that I started using the styling from the CrewCuts catalog and site. The kids look so adorable and seem to have the perfect balance of old and new J. Crew.
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ReplyDeleteRe: big earrings, they can be cute for the right occasion, but they need to make them out of lighter materials so as not to rip out our earlobes. :) Returned some of the winter collection earrings b/c they were ridiculously heavy. I generally don't like much BR jewelry, but they do know how to make long earrings out of lightweight materials so they don't hurt your ears.
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