Marissa Webb is Back... But at Banana Republic!

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Kelly, GigisGoneShopping, bostonlizpoms, as well as ShopALot (in this post), who shared the following press release (from the Wall Street Journal, click here to read in its entirety) with us:

Gap Inc. Announces Marissa Webb as Creative Director and Executive Vice President of Design for Banana Republic
PRESS RELEASE
April 15, 2014

Gap Inc. today announced that Banana Republic has named Marissa Webb as Creative Director and Executive Vice President of Design, effective April 28. She will be responsible for guiding the brand's overall creative direction, as well as leading global product design for Banana Republic Women's, Men's, and Accessories. Marissa will report to Global President of Banana Republic, Jack Calhoun.

"I am so excited for Marissa to bring her own special touch to the brand, " said Calhoun. "What she delivers today is so fresh and relevant, I know her design sensibility will move Banana Republic forward in our effort to deliver Modern American style. I can't wait to have her on board."

A celebrated fashion designer, Marissa Webb is most recently known for her eponymous upper contemporary label. Prior to branching out on her own during 2011, she spent time at Polo, Club Monaco and over a decade at J.Crew Group Inc., where she served in various design roles, including Head of Womenswear and Accessories Design. Webb will retain her role as President and Creative Director at Marissa Webb (M Webb LLC), in addition to her newly appointed role at Banana Republic. Webb's first collection for Banana Republic is expected in the summer of 2015.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the extremely passionate, talented design and creative teams at Banana Republic," said Webb. "The brand has such a beautiful history which I truly admire. This is an amazing opportunity for me to combine my unique vision with a brand that has such a strong legacy. I'm excited to be joining Banana Republic and being able to make an impact for our modern customer."

Gap Inc. also announced that it intends to join M Webb LLC's minority investors by investing in the Marissa Webb label. Initially launched exclusively at Barneys New York, the Marissa Webb Collection is now available in over 30 stores globally, inclusive of select locations within Gap's Intermix division, as well as online. Calhoun will work with Webb as a strategic partner in the growth and development of her business. ...

So many random thoughts going through my head right now that I will just jot down a few:

1. So happy to see Marissa Webb back! Okay, Marissa Webb did not go anywhere. In fact, she started her own clothing line, so she was definitely somewhere doing something. (It was just too pricey for my wallet, so she kind of dropped out of my shopping radar.) I am so excited to hear about her latest news... 
2. Why didn't she return to J.Crew? Did they even make her an offer? J.Crew should have totally offered her a position to come back. Her time at the company definitely showed in the clothes. The styles were on point, on trend, in season, etc. (You get the point!) ;) It was apparent the collections were never quite the same after she left.
3. I totally get why she went over to the Gap/BR though. Investing in Webb's private venture so she continue her line is a pretty sweet deal.
4. I am curious what Webb's collection at BR will look like? Will it trend more J.Crew in its approach? Will it give J.Crew a run for its money? I have not shopped at BR in a long time. I will definitely be checking them out now!

What are your thoughts on this latest news? Are you happy to see Marissa Webb back at styling more affordable (relatively speaking) pieces?

Where in the World is Marissa Webb {showing off her Spring 2013}

Marissa Webb was a great fashion presence at J.Crew. It was a sad day when she announced her departure. Many of us have wondered what she is up to since her Crew days... Well, she has been working on her Spring 2013 collection.

"Thanks!" to Erin who shared Marissa's website with us: marissa-webb.com.

"Thanks!" to JulieStyles (in this post) who let us know about a mini-article over at FabSugar (click here to read in its entirety) about her latest collection. The image in the post comes from this source.

"Thanks!" to ABC who let us know about a great review (click here) and individual images (click here) of her collection over at Style.com.

"Thanks!" to D*ska (in this post) who let us know about an interview with Ms. Webb about her collection over at Lucky Magazine (click here to read in its entirety).

Do you miss Ms. Webb as head designer of J.Crew's Women? Do you like her latest collection?

Where in the World is Marissa Webb?

"Thanks!" to latkes, shar, & Priti, who shared the following article from WWD (click here to read in its entirety) about Marissa Webb (former Head of Women's Design at J.Crew):

New Designer Spotlight: Marissa Webb
By Jessica Iredale
July 9, 2012

On an oppressively hot June afternoon in New York City, Marissa Webb’s 11th Street studio is an oasis of calm and cool, so much so that she’s comfortable in a long-sleeve leather tunic. Just six months into her new venture, Webb’s setup bears none of the chaotic energy or ad hoc decoration of the typical new designer studio. Everything — chandeliers, a vintage typewriter — is in its place, and looks like it has been for years. Webb can’t help it. “My nickname is shark,” she says, sipping a Red Bull. “Sharks by nature will die if they stop moving.”

For spring, she’s launching the Marissa Webb Collection, with a presentation during New York Fashion Week. While this is her first independent line, Webb is not new to the business. J.Crew loyalists might recognize her as the former head of women’s design for the company, where she became increasingly visible as the face of the women’s collection. She joined the brand in 2000 and stayed through its transformation from sleepy prepster standby to phenomenon of the relatively accessible fashion world before she left in 2011.

The breadth of Webb’s new collection — done in Italian fabrics, French lace and luxe leathers — includes skinny cargo jeans, tie-neck blouses, boyish blazers, a leather moto vest with a cutout yoke and plenty of ethereally layered silk skirts and dresses. “I have a tutu obsession,” says Webb. The tomboy and girly-girl dichotomy is a familiar one, often associated with Webb’s old stomping grounds. “A lot of people ask me, ‘Will your collection look like J.Crew?,’” she says. “The honest answer is, in my mind, no. But after being at J. Crew for 11 years, a lot of my own personal aesthetic is in J.Crew because that was my job. The same things that influenced me then influence me now.”

Webb’s collection has an edgier attitude, with a few more overtly rock ’n’ roll pieces interspersed with the feminine stuff. It’s also more upscale, priced above contemporary — wholesale prices range from $150 for a T-shirt to $1,500 for limited-edition dresses.

Prior to J.Crew, Webb, who studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, worked at Polo and Club Monaco. But she’s quick to admit that her lengthy time at J.Crew has put her at an advantage, having already overseen accessories, collaborations, the color lab and embroideries for a corporate design firm. “It’s definitely helped in this venture,” says Webb. So are the connections she made through the years. Bedrock Manufacturing, Co., the Dallas-based company that also holds Steven Alan in its stable of fashion ventures, has a minority stake in Webb’s business. Steven Alan, in turn, is handling Webb’s sales.

It is good to finally hear what Marissa has been up to! She is such an incredible talent.

Also, I can't wait to see her line. I too am wondering how similar it will be to J.Crew. Although, with t-shirts priced at $150, I can already say with 100% certainty that I won't be able to afford her new collection. (Seriously, $150 for a t-shirt? Is it lined with gold, diamonds, and unicorns?!?)

Are you surprised to hear that Marissa Webb started her own collection? Do you think you will check it out? Will you buy her pieces?

Former J.Crew Tracy Gardner Now at the Gap

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Lizbeck (in this post), who shared the following. NY Mag's The Cut (click here to read in its entirety) offers an update about Tracy Gardner's latest role:

The Gap’s New Advisor Is J.Crew’s Former President
By Charlotte Cowles
January 19, 2012

The poor old Gap has been limping along with poor sales figures for years now, but perhaps the company is actually ready to make good on all those promises to fix itself up and sell clothes people actually want to buy. Enter Tracy Gardner, who was the president of J.Crew from 2004 to 2010, after which she resigned in order to “spend more time with her children," according to J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler (she was replaced by Jenna Lyons). Like Drexler, Gardner worked at the Gap before J.Crew, so this move is a homecoming of sorts.

As of now, Gardner doesn't have a specific title; she'll work "in an advisory capacity and will provide oversight and guidance on the development of our women’s product,” Gap spokeswoman Louise Callagy told WWD. And don't expect to see major changes at the store for quite some time — Callagy said that Gardner's first project is "developing holiday product for 2012." (If Gardner brings any of her J.Crew fairy dust with her, this means we can anticipate lots of sequins and artfully half-tucked collared shirts from the Gap come Christmas.) Meanwhile, the brand is still hunting for a successor for head designer Patrick Robinson, who was dismissed this past summer.

Good to see her back! (As some of you remember, Tracy Gardner left J.Crew back in 2010. Refer to the "J.Crew News: Tracey's Out, Jenna's In" post.) I thought Tracy did a great job at J.Crew too.

It will be interesting to see what Tracy's title will be at the Gap, and the amount of influence she will have to turn things around. This is a great move for the Gap, since they need some help in the style department. (Honestly, I have not shopped there in the longest time.)

On a semi-random note... what is Melissa Webb up to now? Love to hear about her too!

What are your thoughts on Tracy Gardner's role at the Gap? Were you surprised by the move or did you see it coming? Are you excited to see Tracy back?

Part Two: Looks from J.Crew {Spring 2012}

In the "The Looks from J.Crew {Spring 2012}" from October, we got to see all the images of J.Crew's ready-to-wear Spring 2012 collection.

"Thanks!" to A Bigger Closet and suninseattle, who shared the following article from Style.com (click here to read in its entirety *and* to check out slideshow) with us:

J.Crew
By Nicole Phelps
September 13, 2011

Walking into the J.Crew presentation, someone coming out said, "Best show of New York fashion week." A few years ago, the very idea that the catalog company would occupy an official time slot would've been hard to believe. But tens of thousands of nicely priced stripey shirts, chambray button-downs, and neon tees later, you can't really argue that J.Crew doesn't belong at fashion week. In fact, we spotted a very influential French editor wearing an army green Henley tee from the brand in the front row at the shows yesterday. We knew it was J.Crew because we considered buying one ourselves.

Jenna Lyons and the head of women's design, Marissa Webb, have a formula, and there was no rejiggering of it under the bright lights of Lincoln Center. Color and classic tailoring are still the big stories; "it's the proportions that make them new," said Webb. The cashmere sweaters, for example, are looser, more slouchy for Spring, while the pencil skirts are narrower and graze the shins. Another skirt in multicolored sequin stripes was even longer—"it's almost a dorky, nerdy length," Webb said, "but it feels sexier than a mini now." The skirt was paired with a dark denim shirt, a look that Lyons and co. patented. There weren't necessarily any big new ideas like that in this collection, but that doesn't mean it didn't connect with the crowd. We'll still be seeing these clothes in multiples next season.

This article made me wonder what Marissa Webb is up to these days... Did she announce where she is going to next?

What is your favorite look from the photos? Any pieces you found interesting? Are you excited about J.Crew's upcoming collection?

The Looks from J.Crew {Spring 2012}

A big "thanks!" to Lauren who shared her article over at Lucky (click here to read in its entirety) with us:

NYFW Spring 2012: J.Crew's Stunning Lincoln Center Debut
By Lauren Sherman
September 15 2011

The Venue: The Studio at Lincoln Center ...the catwalk was transformed into a presentation stage for onlookers to view J.Crew's men's and women's collections.

The Scene: Lots of important stylists (Susan Joy), bloggers (Susie Bubble) and pretty much every editor in existence came out to support Jenna Lyons and her designers, Marissa Webb and Frank Mujtens. Oh, and Beyonce and Solange Knowles, too! Beyonce arrived at the morning presentation in a dress covered in gold sequins.

The Look: The J.Crew girl goes to Europe for spring. She's wearing her favorite preppy basics like colorful slacks and stripey tops, but she's mixing them in with silk pajama blouses, mint green leather bags and 1950s-style day dresses.

What We Want to Buy: I will undoubtedly be purchasing the matchy-matchy blue floral peplum top and trousers. And maybe the navy and red striped house coat. But who am I kidding? I want everything!

I love that image of the "J.Crew girl goes to Europe for Spring". Ooh la la! And now for the best part... the photos! Just click on any of the images for a larger view.








What is your favorite look from the photos? Any pieces you found interesting? Are you excited about J.Crew's upcoming collection?

More News From J.Crew's Fashion Show

"Thanks!" to redglass99 who shared the following article from the Lifestyle section of the Washington Post (click here to read in its entirety):

J.Crew debuts at NY Fashion Week with its signature look and hitting seasonal themes
By Associated Press
September 13, 2011

The clothes J.Crew presented at New York Fashion Week aren’t necessarily for next season. They’re supposed to last longer than that.

The brand’s mantra is timeless looks that still fit with the trends, head of women’s design Marissa Webb and her menswear counterpart, Frank Muytjens, said backstage Tuesday before their first-ever appearance at the seasonal previews.

“We don’t want to be disposable fashion,” Webb added.

Even if they weren’t trying, however, the outfits on the models fit right in with everything else that been seen at the Lincoln Center tents.

Color has emerged as a big theme here — and that’s one of J.Crew’s specialties. Muytjens favored blue-on-blue combinations (down to blue boat shoes in a partnership with Quoddy), while Webb put together a hot pink blouse with lipstick-red, wide-leg trousers, and a yellow sequin tank top with a lavender suede skirt.

Mixing casual classics with unexpected dressier touches is another tradition for the label, leading a denim Western-style shirt to be paired with a sequin skirt, and a men’s windbreaker to top a blazer with gold buttons.

That goes with the effortless-chic vibe that has dominated the last six days of the catwalk. “I didn’t style anything differently than I normally would. I still want it to be J.Crew,” Webb said. Still, she said she woke up before her alarm clock in anticipation of the show.

And Muytjens acknowledged that he sweat this collection a little more, too. “I felt a little more pressure.”

J.Crew does a good job mixing pieces that normally should not go together. But I find it so difficult to translate that look to real life. If I wore a denim shirt with a sequin skirt, I would get stares (and not in the good way). Yet, that outfit looks really put together when it is in the pages of one of J.Crew's catalog.

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you like the way J.Crew styles certain pieces together? What is your favorite look from them?

J.Crew In the News: Marissa & UK

There is an article in the Fashion section of Telegraph that is worth checking out (click here to read in its entirety). Quick note, this article came out before the shocking news that Marissa Webb and J.Crew parted ways. (Refer to the "J.Crew Replaces Marissa Webb with Tom Mora" and "Marissa Webb Leaves J.Crew {say it ain't so!}" posts for more on that subject.)

The cutting-edge Crew coming our way
Meet Marissa Webb, head designer of American label J Crew, which launched online in the UK this week.
By Lisa Armstrong
September 16, 2011

Some of my more stressful moments at New York Fashion Week, ..involved thwarted sorties into J Crew for a spot of "retail research". In the old days, pre-tweeting and blogging, you could take your time, breathing in the woody ambience of Mrs O's favourite "keeping it real" label, relishing the knowledge that whatever you bought would be one of a kind back home.

Those days are gone. There is no time for "retail research", or not nearly enough. How considerate, then, of jcrew.com to start shipping to Britain this very week. Finally. Yet more competition to the British high street, which has been resting on its laurels for too long.

Inevitably, now that it's available here, there are rumblings that J Crew has gone off a bit. But you've always had to trawl through its rails. Sizes go up to an American 12, equivalent to a British 16+ since Crew cuts generously (if you're a UK 6 you can sometimes wear size zero. I wouldn't rule that out as an attraction for some customers). Prices are never rock-bottom, but fabrics are decent. It's aspirational on a mass scale, as only American brands seem to be. And although some of the preppiness is too conservative for British tastes, there are consistent gems. This season's patent Mona court shoe in saffron, for instance. I know this because when I meet Marissa Webb, the 38-year-old who heads J Crew's 50-strong design team, she's wearing them.

The softly spoken Webb turns out 12 collections a year for J Crew, plus jewellery, wedding dresses (its first bridal shop opened last year), walking the tight-rope between accessible and envelope-pushing. At one end, J Crew offers T-shirts for £30, at the other, £2,000 sequinned dresses. Isn't competing with the designer market a tough sell?

"Some women are intimidated by designer stores," says Webb. "They know we charge a fair price, and our personal shoppers are all trained to put outfits together." "Each time we ask the same thing. What do women love and how can we refresh it?"

Pencil skirts, minis, capri pants, pea coats and shirts are constantly reworked in sequins, tweed, leather or metallics, with new linings or buttons. "J Crew is about contrasts: boy/girl, slouchy/tailored, basic/luxe - it's the one item you throw on that will take your day outfit out to dinner."

Webb makes it sound simple, but it can't be that easy. She has been engaged for 18 months without finding time to get married (but she'll be wearing a self-designed JCrew wedding gown). She has found time to acquire 400 pairs of shoes - and closet space for all of them.

When we catch up, she'd just shown, although not a full catwalk production, for the first time during New York Fashion Week - to universally rhapsodic reviews. The vibrant colours helped - and some Céline-esque oversized silk-scarf print shirts. "Colour really sells in this current financial climate, especially red." In a low-key week for celebrity sightings (even Peaches Geldof has been thin on the ground), Beyoncé turned up. That's unheard of for a static presentation. How long before J Crew does maternity wear?

Marissa looks so a-ma-zing in the Lexington Blazer. (The new season of Rachel Zoe on Bravo has started and so I will be writing "a-ma-zing" even more now.) She will be missed. Also, I didn't know she is getting married soon. I am definitely curious if she will be wearing J.Crew still.

I love that the article mentions their vibrant colors that sell well like red. I can't get enough of it. Like the Schoolboy Blazer in Wool Flannel (Item 48682; $188.00) in Decadent Red. I can't even find it in a local J.Crew store and it is still hot where I live.

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you think the take on J.Crew is accurate?

J.Crew Replaces Marissa Webb with Tom Mora

In the "Marissa Webb Leaves J.Crew {say it ain't so!}" post, we wondered who would replace Marissa Webb over at J.Crew.

"Thanks!" to MissJ & Linda (in this post), as well as Connor (in this post), who not only answered that question but also shared the following links & news:

J.Crew's Wedding Designer, Tom Mora will also be
the new Vice President of Women’s Design.

From WWD (click here to read in its entirety):

J.CREW PROMOTES MORA: J.Crew has promoted Tom Mora to vice president of women’s design, succeeding Marissa Webb, who will be leaving “to pursue other opportunities,” the company said Friday. Mora will also continue to oversee wedding and special occasion design; he has been the vice president over those categories since 2009. Previously, he was head of wovens and accessories, and has been working at J.Crew for 10 years.

From NBC New York's the Thread (click here to read in its entirety):

Shortly after the brand's well-received, first-ever Fashion Week presentation, J.Crew's womenswear designer has stepped down "to pursue other opportunities." According to WWD, Tom Mora will step up to the task of overseeing women's design in addition to his current duties tackling the wedding and "special occasion" categories for J.Crew.

In recent seasons, Webb had become the increasingly visible face of J.Crew's womenswear division -- has has Frank Muytjens for menswear -- as J.Crew's creative director, Jenna Lyons, had highlighted her talents and positioned her in more of a public role, particularly around J.Crew's seasonal presentations.

The brand's most recent presentation -- its first as part of the official New York Fashion Week lineup -- was a huge success, drawing an impressive crowd of both retail heavyweights and international fashion insiders. The fashion at the presentation may have been somewhat overshadowed, however, by the paparazzi maelstrom that resulted once Beyonce arrived to tour the collection with Jenna Lyons.

Well, it's interesting that J.Crew replaced Marissa with an insider. I wish Tom Mora all the best on his new role. And of course, I am wondering what Marissa Webb will do next!?

Are you surprised to hear that Tom Mora will replace Marissa Webb at J.Crew? Are you looking forward to seeing his work for the Women's line?

Marissa Webb Leaves J.Crew {say it ain't so!}

"Thanks!" to both inthe know (in this post), and mathteacher (in this post), who shared the following news with us.

Marissa Web has resigned from her position
as J.Crew's Head of Women's Design.

This is surprising news. Especially since she was such an important part of J.Crew's presentation at Fashion Week just this Tuesday! (Refer to the "Video of J.Crew at New York Fashion Week" and "J.Crew Works Fashion Week {part 2}" posts.)

She will be terribly missed. :( Even though she has been with J.Crew for a relatively short time (well compared to Frank Muytjens and Jenna Lyons), she has done an amazing job. Since she took over the direction of the Women's Collection, there has been a noticeable change (for the better). The crazy, over the top, layering was traded in for a more sophisticated look. We saw fewer ruffles and sequins and the return of a rich color palette. Dare I say it, I will... she brought back "classics with an updated twist". (Sorry ladies, I had to use the phrase at least once!)

I personally wish Marissa Webb all the best in her next endeavor. I know she will succeed at whatever new role she decides to pursue.

Lastly, I want to add my two cents to ask the following of J.Crew: Since Marissa will be leaving such an important role vacant, please consider having Frank Muytjens take over. I know he has a lot on his plate as J.Crew's Men's Wear Designer. However, I am fully confident in his ability to take on both positions. :)

Are you surprised to hear that Marissa Webb stepped down from her role at J.Crew? Do you think you will notice a change now that she has left the company?

*Video from Lucky Magazine's "Style Sound Bite: Marissa Webb of J.Crew" post

Video of J.Crew at New York Fashion Week

The following "J. Crew Makes New York Fashion Week Debut" video is from The Associated Press (click here for original link).

The video shows both the upcoming Mens and Womens collection. (I love seeing how the clothes move on a real person. You get a much better sense of how the clothes drape in a video versus photo.)

In addition, Marissa Webb (Head of Women's Design) and Jenna Lyons (Creative Director/President) speak about the upcoming collection. There is also a brief sighting of Frank Mujtens, who heads the Menswear for J.Crew.

Marissa emphasizes that the collection represents classics with an updated twist. This is what J.Crew has been doing for years, and this is what they do best (in my opinion).

A lot of bright bold colors like hot pink & lime green for Spring– and yet the pieces I am attracted to are the rich colors of the striped jacket and jeweled tone dress. And that white cardigan with blue print– gorgeous! I am ready to pre-order today!

What are your thoughts on the video? Are you looking forward to the Spring Collection from J.Crew?

J.Crew Works Fashion Week {part 2}

In today's "J.Crew Works Fashion Week" post, we learned that J.Crew had its first presentation today. Since my invite got lost (clearly, that is what happened), we can live vicariously through the news reports.

The following list is just a start, I will update as they come in. Also, "thanks!" to many of you, including Sydney (in this post), Louise @ cosmetic bee (in this post), as well as Molly, who shared the following:

• Celebrity Gossip: "Beyonce and Solange Knowles: J Crew Ladies"
• Elle UK: "Front row at J.Crew: Beyoncé"
• E Online: "Beyoncé Takes Her Baby Bump to Fashion Week"
• Examiner.com: "J Crew Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week"
• FabSugar: "JCrew Spring 2012"
• FabSugar: "J.Crew Embraces Color For Spring 2012 Presentation" *Video
• FabSugar: "J.Crew's Marissa Webb on Adding Contrast and Color For Spring" *Video
• FabSugar: "Jenna Lyons Thinks Fashion Week Is Like Going to Prom" *Video
• Fashionologie: "JCrew Spring 2012"
• Huffington Post: "Beyonce At J. Crew, Vera Wang & Rodarte -- All In One Morning!"
• Matchbook Mag: blog
• NY Mag: "J.Crew | Spring 2012 RTW Shows"
• Styleite: "Beyonce’s Arrival At J.Crew Leaves Jenna Lyons Speechless"
• The Fashion Spot: "J. Crew Spring 2012 Runway Review"
• The Guardian: "J Crew wows New York fashion week"
• The Province: "J. Crew makes a splash at New York Fashion Week"
• Washington Post: "Tory Burch, J. Crew, Marchesa put on their first runway shows at NY Fashion Week"

According to the Elle UK article, "Sparkling in a gold sequinned J.Crew dress, Beyoncé toured the looks with creative director Jenna Lyons and womenswear designer Marissa Webb." How exciting!?!

What are your thoughts? Are you excited about J.Crew's presence at Fashion Week?

J.Crew Works Fashion Week

Look for a bright palette and a 'tomboy element,' from J.Crew, says Marissa Webb, head of women's design

The following article is from the Life section of USA Today (click here to read it in its entirety):

First look: J. Crew's Fashion Week splash
By Alison Maxwell
September 12, 2011

J.Crew has joined the crew. The hundreds of other designers showing at New York Fashion Week, that is. The retailer, which hosts its first presentation Tuesday, joins Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and Vera Wang on the Fashion Week roster.

Creative director Jenna Lyons says she's surprised by the attention, since the retailer typically presents the collection a few weeks after Fashion Week.

"We have some very passionate J.Crew fans, and they've e-mailed and blogged about it. … It feels exciting for them and it feels exciting for us," Lyons says.

For spring, women can expect a bright palette that is saturated with clean, crisp colors balanced with classic neutrals, says Marissa Webb, head of women's design. Her inspiration? Travel, the ocean and Francoise Hardy. "Hardy is beautiful and feminine but has that tomboy element that we love," she says.

For men, head designer Frank Muytjens drew inspiration from "the paintings of Fairfield Porter because of their fresh colors and the paintings of Robert Rauschenberg for their tactile quality."

Muytjens says to look for different shades of navy paired in one look and "small pops of color like electric red and acid yellow."

Says Lyons: "We had been labeled as a preppy retailer. And as much as preppy is wonderful, it can be a little bit exclusionary. We've been trying to make it a bit more modern."

Jenna is right, J.Crew does have some passionate fans who are eager to see what is next! :) I would love to see a live stream of J.Crew's showing on Fashion Week! Thankfully, the images of the event will soon be up. Can't wait to see them all!

What are your thoughts on the article? Any points you found interesting? Are you excited about J.Crew's presence at Fashion Week?

Behind the Seams with Marissa Webb

"Thanks!" to Miss Penny Z. (in this post) who let us know about the following article from the NY Post (click here to read it in its entirety & to see additional photos):

Behind the Seams: J.Crew
By Kirsten Fleming
September 8, 2011

As the voice of CEO Mickey Drexler booms over the loudspeaker like a school principal's during morning announcements, Marissa Webb, head of womenswear, strides into her office wearing the label's newest shoe for fall: the neon orange Mona pump.

"Sometimes it's a serious announcement, and sometimes he's asking about Starbucks," Webb says with a wry smile.

Welcome to J.Crew's Greenwich Village headquarters, where workspaces are stuffed with racks of sparkly garments and cluttered inspiration boards offer a window into the next season's collection.

Employees look like walking advertisements for the company's irreverent, poppy take on classics. (Hello, leopard pencil skirt and twinkling party shoes!) "Every day is like a fashion show, so you really have to up your game," says graphic designer Dulci Cuprill, 25. "It's just fun coming to work to see what other people are wearing. And the discount doesn't hurt," she adds with a wink.

But when an outfit doesn't quite hit the sartorial sweet spot, the abundant togs and baubles lying about the office can do the trick. "People here change a few times a day," says Titina von Waldow, design director of women's accessories. "We just pull something off the rack. After all, we want to make sure we love all of it."

Seriously, how uh-mazing does Marissa look in the image above? I would never think to pair those stripes together and they look fabulous on her. I am totally crushing on her style!

I also what that discount of hers! I could do some serious damage with this upcoming Fall collection too.

What are your thoughts on the article? Any points you found interesting? Do you like Marissa Web's direction at J.Crew?

Marissa Web on J.Crew Spring 2012

"Thanks!" to Angela, JCrewJD (in this post), as well as ruffles (in this post) who let us know about the following article from Harper's Bazaar (click here to read it in its entirety & to see additional photos):

Designer Drop-In: J. Crew's Marissa Webb
By Kerry Pieri
Photographed by Kelly Stuart
September 5, 2011

A favorite of the high fashion crowd, J. Crew is embarking on its first ever presentation to be held during New York Fashion Week, amidst all of the madness that eight days of shows, parties, champagne and Starbucks can offer. The brand’s head women's designer Marissa Webb is responsible for bringing its particular style DNA to life each season. BAZAAR stopped by Webb’s artful office to find out what she has in store for Spring and why she’s not anxious…yet.

HB: Why was now a good time for J. Crew to show during Fashion Week?
Marissa Webb: Well, that’s a tricky one! The past couple of seasons that we have shown were almost a test to see what the reaction would be. We want to do everything organically. Launching right into Fashion Week...it’s not easy, you know? You’re playing in the big leagues. So it was a natural growth and it seemed like the right time.

HB: What was inspiring you for the spring season?
MW: Usually I have a very clear, defined idea of what the inspiration is. It’s fascinating because every time we’re designing or starting to come up with concepts for spring it is the dead of winter, it’s freezing out, everyone is just dreaming about the sun and the warmth and the ocean. I was just talking with the team about their different vacations and where they wanted to go. It became a mixture of travel with a little bit of Francoise Hardy who is just gorgeous and has that feminine meets boy contrast that we always love to highlight.

HB: Did you actually get to do any travel to help channel that mood?
MW: I actually went to Greece. The colors were amazing, I loved the ocean with its deep blues and greens. It really made me focus on clear, bright colors, which is where the palette came from. So for the collection, you will see a bit of the nautical, mixed in with the idea of what you would want to wear on the boat or to jump on the plane to get to the boat!

HB: What’s your team dynamic like and why are design meetings so important?
MW: I think it’s so important to have other people’s input. The team is so talented and creative. So much of the inspiration comes from them. It’s really important to work as a team and have conversations. It’s lonely just sitting in your office and coming up with things on your own. We all get together and just brainstorm ideas.

"Color is in J. Crew's DNA." — Marissa Webb

"I love hearing other people’s inspirations, loves and passions." — Marissa Webb

HB: Has preparing to present during New York Fashion Week differed from your past presentations?
MW: It is different, but honestly, we have so much going on right now that I have not gotten to that point of being anxious yet, but I will! It is all really exciting!

Marissa seems like she is doing a great job at J.Crew. I am happy to see and hear more from her perspective on J.Crew and their upcoming direction.

What are your thoughts on the article? Any points you found interesting? Do you like Marissa Web's direction at J.Crew?

P.S. I am really sorry for the delay in posting, I am still in the process of catching up. If you sent me an email and haven't heard back yet, don't worry I still will (just not as quickly as I would like). Thanks for understanding. :)

Want to Look Like a Model in J.Crew's September Catalog?

"Thanks!" to lapetitelavande (in this post) who let us know about the following post over at Refinery 29 (click here to check it out in its entirety):

J.Crew's September Catalog + Beauty Tips!
By Katie Hintz-Zambrano
August 23, 2011

One of the reasons the J.Crew catalog sucks us in so fast? The ridiculously fresh-faced girls that grace every single page. The dewy complexion, slightly undone hairdo, and bright burst of lip-color—we trust you know exactly who we’re talking about. To find out how to achieve this fresh, understatedly fancy look on your own, we tapped Marissa Webb, J.Crew’s VP of Women’s Design, and asked her to share some of the brand’s beauty secrets. And, while she was at it, she threw in an exclusive preview of the September catalog, which should be hitting your mailbox any day now. Check it out, and prepare to get mega-inspired. We know we are.

1. We’re obsessed with the girls in the J.Crew catalogs. What are your rules when it comes to creating the signature J.Crew beauty look?

   Marissa Webb: “I think it’s been pretty consistent for a number of years now. It’s usually a clean face and dewy complexion and an emphasis either on the lips or the eye, but never on both. And on the lip there’s often a really vibrant color.”
   
2. If someone wanted to recreate the makeup look at home, what tips would you give them?

   “For the everyday J.Crew girl, there are just three simple three steps. For your face, keep the makeup not too heavy and don’t wear too much overall. For myself, I don’t cake on a lot of foundation. And with bronzer I keep it light with maybe just a little light cheek powder. Then, to keep it fresh looking, if you put a boldly colored lip on, just add mascara. That’s it. Don’t do the bold eye at the same time. Or just emphasis your eye.”
3. Tell us about the Fall 2011 collection and how the beauty look fit into it.
   
“The J.Crew fall look is very classic. It was based on two movies, Bonnie and Clyde and The Great Gatsby. So, there’s a lot of whimsy, but also lots of structured garments and the color is very intense and bright. We really wanted to focus on tailoring and clean brights, so it’s more primary than we’ve done in the past. To pair the makeup with that, we played down the face a little bit and allowed the lip to pop in certain areas of the catalog. For J.Crew it’s usually about the lip. And in this case it’s nice to have a softer lip to play off of the bolder colors of the apparel. In the catalog there’s a mixture of some looks with a softer frosty lip, because you don’t always want primary colors head to toe. But if you turn to the next page, she has a vibrant lip again. And that bright coral is still there and we all still love it! So, there are two shades that you’ll notice.”
4. In the past, you guys have spilled that NARS Red Square is one of your favorite shades. Are there other specific brands or colors you use on your models?
   “It’s tricky because we have never selected just one beauty brand for a whole shoot because we’ve worked with so many makeup artists and each one of them have different brands that they like to work with. So, I wouldn’t say that it’s all NARS or it’s all this or that. We have our signature coral red lipstick and I don’t think that’s going away anytime soon. And then this season, again, we mixed it up a bit where you might see a more frosty lip, which I think goes really well with those primary colors.”
5. How would someone achieve the perfect coral hue?
   
“I wear the coral lipstick myself all the time and you can achieve that lip in so many different ways. It’s all about trying out different coral shades and it’s usually just not a shot of one color, but a mixture of a lipstick and then a pencil on top or a powder on top. Right now we’re offering our own Poppy King lipstick, which just came out last month. It wasn’t used in the catalog, but it was based on our coral lipstick. We received so many requests for that lipstick, so Poppy King and I worked on developing it. It took us a long time, but we tried the shade on people all around the office and it’s exciting because the coral really does work on many, many people. It’s sort of a way to achieve that lip without having to figure it out yourself.”
6. What are your rules when it comes to creating the easy-breezy hairdos in the catalog?

   “For the most part, we are pretty consistent with the hair, too. It’s natural. It’s always a little bit messy. It’s never too perfect, too uptight, or too coiffed. It’s usually either a center part, a little bit of a side part, or a soft pulled back look. If you’re too tailored from your head to your toe, there’s a bit of added interest and texture if you have a more natural look to your hair. Just remember to pull it back lightly and gently.”
   

It is great to hear from Marissa Webb again! It's nice to hear her advice on how to look like a J.Crew model.

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you agree with the advice shared? Any points you found interesting?

J.Crew Fall 2011 Collection {pre-order}

JCAs have poured over the images from J.Crew's Fall 2011 collection (refer to the "J.Crew's Fall 2011 Lookbook {part II}" post).

A big "thanks!" to Suzy (in this post) who let us know that J.Crew finally posted the Fall 2011 Lookbook on their website (click HERE to check it out). To pre-order any of the items, call 800-261-7422.

They even have a presentation video to check out. To view the whimsical video, click here.

Also, "thanks!" to Desert Flower who shared a related email sent to select customers on Friday. The subject of the email is "VIP look: our fall 2011 design presentation and Jenna's Polaroid snaps".

I said it before, will say it again: Trench coats, maxi & knee length skirts, trouser legs, capes! And the colors! I am in l.o.v.e.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Fall items? Are you excited for what's to come? Do you dislike or like any of them? Which items were you hoping to see? :)

J.Crew's Latest the Thread Edition

"Thanks!" to many of you, including StaciStaci, as well as MillJCrew (in this post), who let us know that the latest issue of the Thread is being sent to customers. A big "thanks!" to StaciStaci, who shared these scans with us. (Just click on the image to view larger.)

The following is mentioned in the newsletter:

Marissa Webb— our Women's design mastermind— indulged her inner movie buff to build her vision for Fall. The result is a collision of two opposing but equally alluring sensibilities: the ladylike structure, pulled back styling and saturated colors embodied by the film Bonnie and Clyde {1967} and the fluid romanticism and the ethereal whimsy imagined in The Great Gatsby {1974}. Most notable? An exciting shift toward bold color— spicy bright oranges and reds with grey, camel and emerald greens sprinkled throughout— skirts that get longer and waists that get higher and flared '50s silhouettes in trenches, skirts and dresses.

I have not been super-excited about an upcoming collection from J.Crew in awhile. Until now. :) I am just thrilled with what I have been seeing so far from the Fall 2011 line. They finally went back to what they do best: classics with a twist. Welcome home J.Crew, welcome home.

Did you get a copy of the Thread? What are your thoughts on the issue? Are you excited about J.Crew's upcoming Fall Collection?

Made In Italy: About a Print

"Thanks!" to many of you, who let us know about the following updated feature from J.Crew.

During yesterday's new arrivals, J.Crew also included Part 3 of their "Made-in-Italy" feature, with a neat little video titled "About a Print":

The Backstory
That 22-color paisley screened by hand. That gold-threaded jacquard woven on special looms. That intricate floral dating back 90 years. For the final leg of our Italian research trip, we visited the esteemed Ratti and Canepa mills in Como to see how the creation of a print is truly a time-honored tradition. These mills are legendary for their archives— ranging back to the 1940s and 1950s, even to the 19th century— and they're our design team's destinations for inspiration for many of our collections. Douglas Keeve (an award-winning director) joined the team to document the process and the people and places behind it.

You can watch the video at the end of this post. You can also click the link HERE.

Once again, I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look. First, that dog is the opening scene is too cute! Second, I enjoyed the introduction to Somsack Sikhounmuong, another designer at J.Crew. Hopefully we will get to see more of him.

As for the prints... J.Crew's prints over the years have been so beautiful! (Like the Veruschka, San Remo, Trastevere Paisley, and Milo prints to name a few.) It is really interesting to see them at their source in Italy.

What are your thoughts on the video? Do you think you like the styles more now that you have seen the video?

Meet Marissa's Jacket {it's not J.Crew!}

In the February 15th "Meet Marissa..." post, J.Crew's Head of Women's Design Marissa Webb was touting J.Crew's Lambskin Motocross Jacket (Item 38891; $895.00) while wearing another retailer's jacket. Which was a bit confusing at first. Many of us, including myself, initially thought the jacket she was wearing was the one being referred to in the email. Many of us, including myself, fell in love with Marissa's navy jacket and desperately searched J.Crew's website to no avail.

A big "thanks!" to xoxo (in this post) who shared the following news with us:

... I had a stylist do some digging for me and they contacted J.Crew to confirm that this is Marissa's jacket from the "Meet Marissa" email.

Apparently she had the sleeves shortened, which I don't understand, but maybe she likes bracelet-length sleeves. The J.Crew rep said that there were quite a few inquiries about the jacket so maybe they will make a similar version for F/W.

Anyway, I bought the jacket while I was on my European trip last week and wore it quite a bit, it is really lovely. Just wanted to pass on the info since there was a bit of speculation around it last week.

So the mystery behind the jacket is revealed: it's the Joseph's Navy Emmanuelle Double Breasted Jacket (Item 152090; $739.20).

I would definitely be interested in seeing J.Crew's version for Fall/ Winter, if they decide to make it.

What are your thoughts on the jacket? Do you think J.Crew should offer its own version? Do you think it's weird or okay to wear a different label while promoting another one? ;)