Wednesday, July 21, 2010

J.Crew Publishes The Thread {first edition}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Irina, as well as Debby & Tracey G. (in this post), Suzy & Silver_Lining (in this post), who let us know about J.Crew's latest mailing— the Thread— to customers.

Imagine my surprise to find a copy waiting for me today too! It was inside a white envelope so I didn't know what it was at first. The newsletter is quite large, with each paging measuring approximately 9 x 12.5 inches. Of course, I rushed to scan it so you can all view it too. :)
There are four pages to the first edition of the Thread. Just click on any of the images to view it larger.

On the top of the front page, next to the image of Jenna Lyons, it reads:
We wanted to create something special for our most loyal customers: a sort of all-access pass to what's going on in J.Crew's world.

In this issue (and future ones), we'll give you a peek at upcoming collections, stories about our travels and inspirations and more.

I hope this behind-the-scenes look piques your interest and gives you a sense of our world... stay tuned for more to come.

Jenna Lyons
Creative Director
I have to say I love it! Although it's a bit dated as it references Tracey Gardner in the issue as President still. I guess her resignation was a bit of a shock to J.Crew as well! ;) Overall, I really enjoy the first issue and can't wait to see what future issues have to offer.

Did you get a copy of the Thread? What are your thoughts on the issue? Do you think J.Crew should continue this latest marketing concept?

26 comments:

  1. I did not get a copy of The Thread. I purchase TONS of clothing from J Crew so I am not sure why. Maybe tomorrow? Who knows. Thanks so much, however, for scanning your copy. MUCH appreciated!! :)

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  2. I did get a copy, which surprised me as I get nothing else that they send out except for the catalogs. Still, it was nice to receive.

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  3. Yes, I got a copy today and felt the same as Math Teacher in her post. I also stopped in J.Crew in Crystal City. They started to display some of the new arrivals for fall. There is a blouse that is cotton kind of like the victoria but with eyelit ruffles like the Castillo Cami. I liked it in a Moroccan Redish color. Looking forward to seeing the new arrivals hit the website tomorrow!

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  4. I did get a copy, and am so glad you did, too, Alexis, as well as other JCAs! I have to say that the information given is interesting (esp. the photos of the NYC wedding boutique, sigh), but pales in comparison to the goodies dished daily on JCA. Hats off to you, Alexis! :)

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  5. BTW, Paramus has the coat in look 3in the Fall lookbook and word has it that it is selling fast (I can't remember the exact price; $325?) And the cashmere reversible popover in look 1/featured in The Thread is $1000 and available in September. Sadly, this is a bit out of my price range!

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  6. Corry, I absolutely agree - JCA is far better than a paper newsletter! Heck, we were talking about the 'Edie Beale goes to camp' quote back in April!

    Cute marketing thing, but how much of that is built into the price of the clothes?

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  7. With apologies, one last tidbit: the quilted purse in the credit card e-mail is $325 (I may be confusing the price with the jacket) and is online/catalog only, comes in grey, alpine moss (army green?), and nutmeg. It should be available in the next rollout in a day or two??

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  8. nope--not one for me--thanks for sharing yours!!

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  9. Nothing for me in the mail today...maybe tomorrow. :)

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  10. I didn't get a copy, but it seems like a cute idea.

    Globetrotter, I picked up that blouse you mentioned (the receipt called it the Froth Eyelet Blouse - I posted some pics) - it's really cute!

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  11. I didn't receive this but I usually receive the gifts from J.Crew a couple of weeks after everyone else. Have to get a dogsled team to deliver them to Canada after all.

    The Thread is OK but I kinda felt like I was reading some family's Christmas newsletter. As others have mentioned, a lot of the info is really old news because JCA had the scoop long ago!

    Thanks Alexis and others for sharing.

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  12. I did get a copy - thank you, JCrew. You've been so good to me. I received a lot of gifts from your this year and I really appreciate it.

    Alexis, I am glad that you got your copy too!

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  13. I received the thread, but no catalogs

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  14. No Thread, no catalog. But here's a link to a story that will appear in tomorrow morning's New York Times:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/fashion/22CRITIC.html?_r=1&ref=fashion

    Funny, couldn't find the words "obsession" or "effortlessly".

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  15. I did, I did receive the Thread! I love these sort of "touch points". As a marketer, they give a sense of up close and personal with a bit of a tease of what is to come. I like that Jenna has personalized it with a signature as in my opinion, helps to maintain the creative integrity. I am not sure I am sold on the whole "Edie Beal goes to Girl Scout camp..." thematic. I myself was a brownie drop out and absolutely hated Girl Scout camp! So this does not help my visual appeal for Fall with JC, but I will wait and see. I still love campy as long as it is sophisticated. I would like to see some wearable items that can translate from work day to weekend and still look casual chic. Anyways, I liked the mini letter and am getting excited for Fall!

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  16. Didn't receive The Thread (thanks for posting, Alexis!) but it looks interesting. I find it fascinating that JC chose to use a printed newsletter to cultivate customer relationships when so many other brands are switching to e-communication. To me, this old-school approach is really refreshing and cuts through the clutter!

    OT - I was super-surprised to receive the fall lookbook in the mail a few weeks back! I have to admit, it was much better in person than I expected.

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  17. I haven't gotten the Thread, but maybe it's the west coast issue. We usually get our rewards cards later than you easterners.

    I love the tweed jacket. I hope I can see it in person before it's sold out!

    OT, but Corry, are you the old jcrew blogger?

    If so, cheers!

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  18. As soon as I opened the JCrew envelope today I knew The Thread would be posted on JCA by the time I logged on! I think it's 'neat' to receive this but wonder if they will really continue to publish it on a regular basis.

    Wasn't it this time last year (or 2008?) when they issued the newspaper style catalog?

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  19. I received the mailing. I really like this kind of thing when the pictures are truly inspiring. I usually have a few pictures hanging in my dressing area for those mornings when I really need some inspiration.

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  20. Sounds like a good idea--I didn't receive it though, and since JC has dropped me off all their lists lately I'll be surprised if I get it.

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  21. I didn't receive one either. Maybe today.

    BTW - New arrivals are online now.

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  22. I can't put my finger on it, but something reminds me of H & M's magazine/catalogue which I like to browse. It's offered in-store and online and therefore available to everyone.

    Thank you, Alexis for sharing.

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  23. Well my copy just arrived in the mail today. It was mixed in with the junk mail and probably would have been thrown away if I hadn't known there was a chance it could be coming. Thanks to Alexis and everyone else who posted about receiving it. :)

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  24. I got one. I was excited at the concept, but the content was already "old news" if you read this blog. LOL!

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  25. Yes! Got it in Tuesday afternoon's otherwise uneventful mail. I am a sucker for anything visual from J.Crew.

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  26. I thought it was great - made a very welcome change from the "buy more, buy more, buy more" emails and catalogs! I even wrote a post about it! http://tinyurl.com/277k6np

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