This isn't the first time that J.Crew has offered friendship bracelets through a partnership (refer to 2008's "Questionable Item of the Week: Friendship Bracelet for Men"post). At least these newer bracelets are cuter... but those prices are still outrageous to me! One of the benefits of friendship bracelets is that they are inexpensive gestures of kindness.J.Crew Partners With Frieda & Nellie Jewelry
By Jennifer Paull
July 28, 2010
The latest J.Crew accessories partnership debuts tomorrow, July 29, with Frieda & Nellie's winsome, one-of-a-kind woven friendship bracelets. The line pulls elements from vintage costume jewelry, summer camp crafts, and Latin American folk art.
Your fabulously eccentric great-aunt might have spun it if she was moonlighting as an arts instructor at Camp Kippaweechee.
Each bracelet is assembled with rhinestone or metal chains or links, knotted with toucan-toned cotton embroidery thread.
On some, lozenge and chevron patterns wind through the sparklers. Others have long knotted bands with vintage decorative links at each end. These particular combinations were created exclusively for J.Crew.
The BFF founders (and fingers) behind Frieda & Nellie are Stacy Herzog and Sarah Reid, who were inspired to make these mash-up designs after Herzog visited the Galapagos Islands last year. She brought back knotted bracelets that recalled her summers at Stagedoor Manor -- and noticed how good they looked when paired with heirloom costume jewelry. The duo quickly revived the knotting technique first learned at camp.
Several J.Crew staffers, including Marissa Webb, the vice president of women's design, noticed the jewelry in editorials. The partnership was forged in a flash; Webb met with the designers just last week.
"Everyone asks if they can buy one when they see them on my desk," Webb told StyleList. "I have three of them on right now, all layered up -- they feel so right for this moment."
While the duo races to prepare the bracelets, Reid said, "I don't know if I've stopped smiling for the past week."
Like J.Crew's other recent partner, Imogene + Willie, Frieda & Nellie was named for the founders' grandmothers. (Do we smell a family names trend?)
The bracelets will first be available at J.Crew's Soho and East Hampton stores in New York, with prices ranging from $130 to $250.
It's enough to make you dredge up your old lanyards.... And who, we wonder, will get to trade friendship bracelets with J.Crew's new president?
On a different topic... It's nice to see a new J.Crew executive name being mentioned: Vice President of Women's Design Marissa Webb. I wonder if this is just the beginning of seeing her name in print! :)
What are your thoughts on this latest partnership? Do you like the design of the Frieda & Nellie for J.Crew bracelets? Will you get one? If so, please share! Also, do you think we will be reading and seeing more from J.Crew's Marissa Webb?
Well - they definitely look like "blinged out" versions of what I knew as a friendship bracelet, which I guess is good considering the prices. Maybe this is the Real Housewives version?
ReplyDeleteGood idea in concept, but I can't help thinking if it would've made better sense to launch in time for summer, instead of when we're all thinking of fall?
I made these in college for the price of a skein of embroidery floss.
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!!! My 9 year old Grandaughter has been doing these for all our family members for over a year now. She does beautiful designs and colors. I can't believe the prices JCrew will be charging!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember those embroidery floss ones! Loved them. But these? Yikes! And the prices are .... Insane.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly fits with the Edie Beale goes to camp theme they want!
ReplyDeleteThis to me takes the true meaning out of friendship braclets. Aren't they to be handmade by a friend and given to a friend?
ReplyDeleteI used to make these with pretty ribbon as well as emroidery floss in HS. Now my daughter makes them.
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ReplyDeleteIf you have to buy a friendship bracelet, doesn't that defeat its meaning?
ReplyDeleteThis is just tacky on so many levels.
i like them, they're very interesting and different. i would definitely wear one.
ReplyDeleteThey're just called friendship bracelets because that's what they look like. J. Crew also sells 'boyfriend chinos' but they weren't worn by anyone's boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteSecond, once you BUY a friendship bracelet for ANY price (rather than make one yourself), whether it be $5 or $250, it changes the meaning.
And finally, I'm sure these are beyond the talents of elementary school-aged granddaughters, or else they simply would not cost that much.
Charming and I can see the price if hand made. Can also see why only sold at those two locations for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteThe bug pin of 2010.
ReplyDeleteHexicon: I almost snorted coffee thru my nose laughing at your "bug pin" reference.
ReplyDelete"The bug pin of 2010."
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Sorry, but I think these are tacky if you are out of grade school.
Hexicon, I grow fonder of you every day :)
ReplyDeletecheck it out: Jenna selects "fall must haves" on Vogue's website this morning. IMO--nice choices.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vogue.com/mostwanted/072910_Heritage_Must_Haves/
What a throw back to when I was in camp! Love friendship bracelets.
ReplyDeleteHexicon: HA HA HA! {tear} Best. line. ever. ;)
ReplyDeleteBrava, Hexicon! Completely agreed.
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of thing people with too much disposable income buy to be ironic, and then wonder why the plebes loathe them. Tone-deaf much?
I think that most of my friends would prefer a few cocktails, dinner and maybe a j crew giftcard rather than a $130 friendship bracelet!! Sorry this is wrong on many levels and especially paying $130+ for a woven bracelet!
ReplyDeleteI was curious about the collaboration with Imogene + Willie. Here's an article discussing the company and what they'll be offering through J Crew.
ReplyDeleteImogene + Willie collaboration
@hexicon & jcrewjunkie: I almost snorted coffee too. LOL... Seriously. You KNOW there will be someone who's running out the door right now to hop into her Bentley driven by a chauffeur who will drop her off at the store to pick up one of these... For that amount of money I'd rather take my friends out for drinks/tapas or cook steak and lobster at home for them.
ReplyDeleteI will not be buying these. I'm simply too old for them, and probably too serious to pull them off anyway. (And this is from someone who was seriously eyeing the Lucca ruffly-butt mini to pull on when headed to the pool!
ReplyDeleteBug pin! That made me LOL! So true, hee hee...
ReplyDeleteI didn't wear them before and I won't wear them now.
ReplyDeleteOT, but has anyone noticed the thongs at the b&m's? They're bundled up in a container at the register at my b&m. My ps can't believe JC is selling them!
Yes, I did see those Cosabella thongs in-store and I found that a little odd. And today when I was in, there were also 2 glass canisters with Bobbi Brown lipglosses in them. Not sure if the colors were exclusive to JC or what, but I don't care for that gloss's uber-sticky texture and weird brush. My hair used to get caught in the gloss and pull across my face. Ew. :-P
ReplyDeleteI will say, though, that I absolutely adore the Butter of London nail polish that I picked up on my one trip to a Madewell store. I've since bought several more shades of Butter polishes.
And I kinda liked the bug pins...
ReplyDeleteThese are horrid. Just horrid.
This is my first post! I've been lurking for months. I hope I don't create a bad impression to start b/c I love these! I'm a sucker for bright colored objects and vintage rhinestone, so they're right up my alley. I do agree though that this would have been perfect to launch in the summer. I'm picturing them layered w/lots of other fun bracelets.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen!
ReplyDeleteWhere does your sister sell them?? I would love to see them in person.
Thanks!
WTF? Seriously, JC, seriously?
ReplyDeleteLooks like JC is heading towards turning into a Concept Store -- undies, nail polish, makeup, famous trenches, wedding gear, vintage jewelry... and let us not forget circus wear. Looking forward to the hand-bound leather guidebooks of famous world cities.
ReplyDeleteBut selling friendship bracelets -- not creative. Tacky tacky tacky.
wellfedfred, you may be right. sort of like Colette's stepsister twice removed over in the US ...? of course there's a long way to go before that could actually happen, but food for thought .......
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew: you can keep my friendship bracelet. I don't think we're friends anymore!
ReplyDeleteCount me as a woman who found them charming. Yes, they reminded me of camp. Then I reminded myself why I never wore my friendship bracelets from those times for long: I didn't like the long fringe threads hanging down. Love the simple style that results from a closed clasp.
ReplyDeleteMy style, job, age, contribute to my thought that I'd never wear a "pile" of them. But one bright soft embroidered bracelet next to a conservative watch—a smile, for sure.
For all who'd consider, but for the price, there are 65 pages of them on ETSY!
i love the concept!!! im too old to wear a friendship bracelet but mix it with something shiny IM IN!!!
ReplyDeletei agree - charming :) i made them as well 15 years ago but not with the vintage bling - cool idea -
ReplyDeleteI'm new to this blog, but felt like I needed to chime in...:
ReplyDeletenice to see another name mentioned - and hope to hear more about marissa webb. I have always loved JC, but also think their new stuff is fresh and maybe Webb has something to do with that...?
Also, I too used to make friendship bracelets, but these are a unique twist and the variety is sweet! Sorry to all you nay-sayers... I have to disagree with you all :)
These look like the 'Rakhi bands' of the auspicious Hindu festival 'Rakhi' during which sisters tie these colorful bands on the wrists of their brothers as a mark of luck and safety, and to protect her for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteJcrew is manic these days.
Hello ladies - my first comment after months of reading and keeping up with reviews and suggestions etc. - I checked out the pricing. Crazy. No offense intended to those who love or like them, but IMO SOOOOO overpriced. What about a friendship or similar-type of handmade bracelet that is made by and helps women in numerious other countries or even domestically at a more practical price? Or if not that, there are "frienship" bracelets braided with authentic semi However, this sticks in my mind: Last year I was in Mexico and at nearly midnight a young woman with about a 9 month old on her hip was selling less "blinged" versions, but still braided with stones and/or shells for $5.00. In my less than perfect Spanish, I understood her to say making the bracelets was the way she fed her baby.
ReplyDeletesounds like a good thing to me! picking one up tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteHello ladies - (sorry for all the errors in my first post of this message) my first comment after months of reading and keeping up with reviews and suggestions etc. - I checked out the pricing. Crazy. No offense intended to those who love or like them, but IMO SOOOOO overpriced. What about a friendship or similar-type of handmade bracelet that is made by and helps women in numerous other countries or even domestically at a more practical price? Or if not that, there are "frienship" bracelets braided with authentic semi precious stones for substantially less. However, this sticks in my mind: Last year I was in Mexico and at nearly midnight a young woman with about a 9 month old on her hip was selling less "blinged" versions, but still braided with beautiful stones and/or shells for $5.00. In my less than perfect Spanish, I understood her to say making the bracelets was the way she fed her baby.
ReplyDeleteif you have been following jcrew as much as i have, you would be aware that there have been other charitable collaborations - the mochilla bags and what about lem lem? these are just a fun moment
ReplyDeleteNope. Proof that women are truly suckers.
ReplyDeletemedusa,
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you that I would rather spend my money to help women in developing countries. There is a fair trade store that I like to go to that sells items like this.....
The price tag JC will be charging is CRAZY. I remember making and wearing these FB back in the days...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Medusa and Genny, I'd rather spend money on helping women in developing countries and smaller fair trade companies.
Hexicon: Bug pin reference is too funny!
Since I am a supporter of the idea of these new JC friendship bracelets I figured since I live in NY I should go and see them first hand...
ReplyDelete1) the store was already almost sold out of them! In 1 day! There were only 4 left!
2) I had to buy one! Even though I am not made of money and frankly I HATE spending it! :) I even splurged and bought the most expensive one!
3) I LOVE the bracelet - it can be dressed up or down - depending on how you wear it, it works as a cool flashy accessory but also as an understated hint of style... I bought the one I did because it can even be worn alone.
4) I had admitted earlier that I used to make these things 15 years ago too, but after seeing them first hand... uh uh. No way. I could never have made these - They are complexly handcrafted and designed ONE OF A KIND bracelets.
5) I support women in underdeveloped/developing countries as well as the women who are busting their butts right here in the US to make ends meet. Kudos to those women who make and sell $5 bracelets to support their children - the thing is... rather than paying the $5 to that woman, I would rather pay her what I paid JC for the bracelet I bought there. THAT to me would make a huge difference in her life and makes a lot of sense to me, which is why I do and always will overpay those women struggling to make ends meet. Sorry to say, but I find it offensive to taut the fact that you can buy a similar product from a struggling woman in a developing country for $5. Why not leave the bracelet with her and just hand her $10, $20...$100, etc. bucks if you really want to help?
jesi - cheers!!!! hope to hear more from you -
ReplyDeleteJesi: Which bracelet did you end up buying? Just wondering :)
ReplyDelete$200+ for a fake friendship bracelet? What's next, JCrew? Sophisticated Silly Bands?
ReplyDeleteThe bracelets are fun for the moment. I suppose if you can pass cash around from moment to moment. I didn't say I didn't like, just if I'm going to buy a piece of jewelry it's either going to be something cheap, vintage cheap, garage store cheap, or save and get the real things with real metals or stones. Can we acknowledge that durng that most recent 30%off of sale prices MANY of the JCrew dresses were still more than the 25% off the sale price at Neimans. Huh? The prices are getting too high. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteJesi, I feel you may have missed my point. My research into the JCrew braceletes does not support the bracelets as being made by anyone other than two artists. Nothing wrong with that. It doesn't appear that any of the proceeds are benefitting any non-profit group. I may be wrong, but I could not find any type of support. However, my point was that there are beauiful bracelets made with real stones (as opposed to rhinestones (excuse spelling). I'm not sure I understand your point about giving the woman $20, $40 etc. I did and anyways have. I worked for a federal agency that arrested illegal farm workers. My collegue frightened a young new mother into believing she was going to be directlly deported without picking up her new baby, home with a sitter. I was the arresting officer, yet I'm a mother, so I gave her money to eat and feed her baby. My whole point it what about more projects that benefit gender mutilation, rape in the Congo (and everywhere else), starvation, drinking water, malaria nets, HIV/AIDs, places of natural disasters.
ReplyDelete