Monday, May 16, 2011

Meet J.Crew's Jenna Lyons {NBC Today edition}

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A big "thanks!" to Maryeb who not only spotted Jenna Lyons over at NBC's Today show, but also shared the clip (click here for the link in case video above does not work for you).

As always, Jenna comes across very personable in the interview. The personal photos of Jenna's childhood and adolescence was a real treat to look at. She was stylish even back in the day! I also really liked all the interior shots of J.Crew's Fifth Avenue Store. (Refer to the "J.Crew' Fifth Avenue Store {amazing!}" post.) It really does look fabulous!

And who besides me, was checking out the rack of clothes behind the interviewer Jenna Bush? Just trying to see if I can spot a new item or two! ;)

What are your thoughts on the video? Did you like the interview? Was there any piece shared that you found particularly interesting? If so, please share! :)

27 comments:

  1. I'm not impressed. J crew is a large company with many creative people. I'm tired of having Jenna Lyons shoved down my throat. They should change the name of the company to Jenna. I personally find her very staged. Even the way she speaks. The constant self promotion is shameless.

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  2. She dreams about sequins! Yikes. No thanks. No wonder I have seriously strayed from buying 99% of my clothing since Jenna took over...Now I buy about 1% each season or one item.

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  3. OK interview. Frightening that Jenna "dreams in sequins"! LOL! My spending has been way down at J.Crew - I'm becoming much more discriminating in what I purchase. I try to not by disposable pieces - I want "classics with a twist" that will stand the test of time and last more than one season, and unfortunately, I am not finding that lately at all with JC's declining quality. I so much want to be in love, but I'm falling out of love!

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  4. oops - the previous comment is supposed to be from "Elizabeth in MO"! Sorry. Also - I meant "buy", not "by"! Long day.

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  5. I enjoyed watching the interview, especially the old photos of a young Jenna. I like seeing peeks into people's past.
    And, yes, I was definitely scanning the the quick flashes of the racks of clothes. Too quick for me to really see anything specific.

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  6. Gotta love a girl that starts as an assistant to an assistant and makes it to president (and coming from the creative department to boot.) She seems very nice and down to earth which makes me even happier to wear the goods. Thanks for the clip!

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  7. I watched it because I wanted to see clothes but I cannot stand Jenna Lyons. She really rubs me the wrong way. If I didn't love most of the clothes so much I would bail just because of her.

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  8. I can't help but to relate to Jenna and I like her style. I wish there was more style ideas given in the catalog and on-line that I could relate to my everyday life. Remember the 2009 Christmas catalog of the plum cascading ruffles dress with the black tux blazer and roadster? boots. The caption read something about wearing it to a school play. I liked that. Spoon feed me.

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  9. I admire Jenna Lyons and what she has achieved. She always comes across as personable and genuine. I don't dream of sequins but I can respect her vision for what it is - her own. We all have things that capture our dreams, from Balenciaga to Birkenstock, it's all in the eye of the beholder.

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  10. I admit she is probably over-exposed, but I'm a fan ... I admire her and what she has accomplished. I appreciate her sense of style, and I find it all the more authentic when we are given a glimpse of it back to her youth, as in this clip.

    Sales have doubled in 7 years straight through a recession ... it's hard to argue with that kind of success.

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  11. I like Jenna and enjoyed the interview. I second what others have said: it's impressive to be anywhere that long and move up from assistant level to Creative Director. For the most part, I like and relate to her style of California edgy mixed with east coast upper crust. I feel like I do see the same interview with her all the time, though.

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  12. I think Jenna's great. She's a boss, she's the creative brain behind the brand, and yet she is accessible. How many billion dollar company presidents is as cool? Love her!

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  13. Granny chic, borrowed from the boys...definitely not my style. I liked when JCrew had more classics with a twist not throw away/runway/high fashion clothing. I bought a lot from 2004-8 but have definitely cut back lately. I still like the brand but am not in love. I used to go into the stores and come out with bags full. Now, next to nothing and usually nothing:( A bit sad about JCrew direction really. I keep reading on this blog how lots of people shop ebay for the oldies but goodies so I know I am not alone. Lucky for me I bought them when they were in the catalogs and in stores:)

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  14. C'mon people!! Jenna Lyons rocks! I think it is Jenna the reporter you need to complain about - we all know why she got that job! How snarky, calling Mihcelle Obama on the tonite show a "first lady in training" - not nice! I wear JCrew all the time and constantly get complimented on my "style" not my clothes. Be creative - mix it up - why be so stiff and "classic"??

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  15. In looking at these comments, what an unhappy, whiny lot you are! God. Why would you visit a site that claims to be for fans, when all you do is whine and snark and complain? Clearly, JCrew has moved beyond you, so it's time to break up and shop at Talbot's or wherever the hell conservative 25-year-olds shop.

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  16. Wow, Jenna Bush is a reporter on network news! Forgot about that. I guess it gives me a better impression of her than what came out about during her her father's time in office.

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  17. OMG---didn't even realize the reporter was that Jenna Bush. All I thought was how terribly unpolished she sounded while speaking. I almost thought she sounded like she was hearing impaired.

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  18. I admire what Jenna Lyons has done working at J.Crew but I have several questions after watching this interview clip. Could J.Crew expanding globally bring even more quality decline? I went to the B&M last week and saw the new eyelet pencil skirt (42824) (they've brought it back for the third year now, right?) and couldn't believe how cheap it felt considering the price of $128. I'm glad I have the one from couple years ago.
    Also the interview ended with the remarks of how J.Crew does not spend money on market research. Well, J.Crew has to give credit to Alexis of JCA for running this forum for all JCAs to come and contribute. J.Crew should also take the suggestions we make to improve online shopping experience better in par with other major clothing retailers.

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  20. Audrey,

    Your comments were so helpful. Thanks so much:) and have a good day:)

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  21. Summer (giving "Genny" a break today, huh?) - No, thank you for your comments. As always they are hella repetitive and just peddling the same crap.

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  22. audrey,

    yes, anyone who doesn't want to wear diaper crotch pants, camo, sequins and ill-fitting tops is a "conservative 25 year old." mmkay. :P

    jenna bush hager is a terrible reporter, by the way. her voice is awful, like she's trying to hide her drawl, but it sounds like marbles in her mouth.

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  23. I also think that Jenna Bush is a terrible reporter! If it weren't for her father she'd be nothing. "Mouth full of marbles" is the perfect description of her speaking style.

    I can understand that some of you are unhappy with the shift in the design direction and a decline in quality. I was never that much of a J Crew fan until just recently (which is why I missed out on lots of items I'm now pining over!), I'm not loving the droopy slouchy summer clothing but I think the fall clothing, last season and the upcoming season, is awesome! I love stylish envelope-pushing clothes that don't look slutty, like so many do these days. And to me Jenna Lyons appears to be incredibly genuine and unaffected, I never feel like she's haughty or condescending. I think she's a great talent and a great businesswoman, so even if I don't agree with every decision she makes I definitely like and respect her. For the record, I dream in velvet and suede. :)

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  24. in response to jcrewphd

    you can see a decline in quality vs. what you pay in alot of stores (mainly the chain/mall stores)

    and I agree that JC needs to improve their website,

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  25. I'm not a frequent customer until 6 mths ago, and insanely I had added quit a collection to my wardrobe already. Jcrew has won my loyaly from another brand. I feel the quality is ok, but for the price I do expect more. Not sure if anyone notice jcrew advertises aggressively online? I think they should allocate more money to research so that they can better understand what consumers look for. Hence, maintain their position in the market.

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  26. Alexis has always maintained that this blog is a place to discuss all aspects of J.Crew - good, bad, ugly, beautiful, questionable, whatever. J.Crew is a clothing retailer and subject to ups and downs, which is part of what keeps fashion interesting. No one forces anyone to read the comments here, we are free to skip any and all of them as we choose.

    I'm always thankful people have their own unique opinions and ideas even if they don't align with mine. If not for that we would still be wandering around barefoot wearing fig leaves.

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