New Men's Store Opening

Thanks!" to JCrew Guy In Canada, who shared the following GQ article (click here to read in its entirety) with us:

Store Spotlight: J.Crew Opens Inaugural Ludlow Shop
By Matthew Sebra
March 1, 2012

J.Crew's quest to dress men everywhere, and for every occasion, continues with the opening the their new Ludlow Shop. Nestled on a catalog-shoot worthy street in Tribeca, just south of the brand's wildly successful Liquor Store location, this new outpost is dedicated to showing off their best-selling Ludlow suit in every form imaginable. Nineteen versions of the tailored two-piece are available for purchase, from the original notch lapel model to a double-breasted option and even an evening tux if your datebook calls for such sartorial goods. And while the store's name may indicate its singular focus, the stock is anything but one-dimensional. Joining the Ludlow suits is an array of complimentary gear, from J.Crew's Thomas Mason shirting and Italian cashmere to shoes from Alden and Crockett & Jones that sit alongside the brand's made-in-NYC ties, Drake's pocket squares, and Corgi socks. Sharp style extends beyond the clothes and after you've had a look at some lapels you'll find the space stocked with midcentury modern furniture and antiques, including a vintage desk covered in archival Alden shoe catalogs and ledgers (more on that later).

We spoke with the man behind the beloved suit style, J.Crew's head of menswear design Frank Muytjens, about why now is the right time for the tailoring-targeted store.

GQ Eye: Why did you want to dedicate a whole store to the Ludlow suit and why do it now in Tribeca?
Frank Muytjens: We launched the Ludlow suit when we opened the Liquor Store in 2008 and the response has been incredible! Guys come in to all of our shops and ask for it by name. And since the launch, the Ludlow has outgrown the Liquor Store so we decided to relocate that shop down the street to showcase the Ludlow in a bigger way. We are also super excited to offer monogramming, complimentary courier service, and on-site suit specialists.

GQ Eye: What type of customer do you envision shopping at the Ludlow store?
Frank Muytjens: To us it's always about being modern, but not too trendy. He's a guy who loves quality and is interested in being more understated than overstated. He invests in classic pieces he knows and will have forever and always can go back to.

So many Menswear store openings- exciting news indeed! Also, who knew that the demand for the Ludlow suit would bring on its very own dedicated store in NYC?!?

What are your thoughts on this latest store concept from J.Crew? Do you think the location is a good fit with J.Crew? Will you be stopping by?

Interior Shots of J.Crew's Liquor Store

"Thanks!" to Jennifer who shared the following news with us.

Over at Apartment Therapy (click here), there are several images of the Tribeca Men's Store (in NYC). The post also shares the following:

The long-established Tribeca tavern called Liquor Store may have closed its doors, but in its place J. Crew extended its brand with a curated selection of men's clothing and accessories by its designers and others — all while maintaining the original vibe of the bar situated in a classic 1825 townhouse.

What are your thoughts on the layout? Do you like that J.Crew has created such a unique-feel for some of their stores?

Andy Spade On J.Crew's Tribeca Store

Brandweek (click here) had an interesting Q&A session with Andy Spade about J.Crew's Liquor Store...

Q&A: Andy Spade on J.Crew's Retail Experiment
By Lucia Moses
January 22, 2009

Andy Spade challenged conventional retailing when his firm, Partners & Spade, produced a boutique for J.Crew in an old liquor store. He and partner Anthony Sperduti walked AdweekMedia through their new retail experiment in New York's Noho section, where collections of staplers and scorpion paperweights make more for a gallery/curiosity shop than a store.

AdweekMedia: What do you want people to experience when they walk in?
Andy Spade: Something they haven't experienced in a store or gallery. Galleries are intimidating, and we wanted to avoid that. We wanted it to be about all the things we love, just make it experiential. The cross-section of commerce and art, done right, and the cross section of high and low, is very interesting to us. You can buy gum and the New York Post, but you can also find a piece by Robert Hawkins, an artist up in Paris. It's that accessible.

AM: What do you hope to learn that will help your retail clients?
AS: Stores and retail environments that have done well attract curious people. People who are attracted to that kind of thing are going to tell you a lot about what they think is interesting, and they'll communicate with us about that. It makes it much more relevant when we're dealing with clients.

AM: What do you think you'll learn that'll help retailers that are worried about just getting people in the doors?
AS: You have to be resourceful. We designed the space for J.Crew, and it's done very well for them because people are looking for new ideas. And it's small. Guys don't want to go into a big store and hunt around. I think there's room for these really intimate kinds of environments that sell really special things. It's not about luxury. It's about doing something that's exclusive, and that doesn't mean expensive. The specialness is what luxury is. No one wants racks of shirts.

AM: In your store, you have to climb a ladder to reach the impulse items.
AS: It shows we don't take ourselves too seriously. That there can be fun with commerce. This is our past-confidence trophy service. If you have an insecurity in life, we're willing to make a trophy for you and back-date it so that you're able to overcome, with time, your insecurities. In the back, there's a 15-by-15 wall we built that we're going to sell as indoor space. We'll sell it as billboard space inside our store. The comment on how advertising's so crazy, product placement is a joke. We're being totally honest about it.

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you think the Liquor Store has been a good move for J.Crew? Do you think J.Crew should continue to expand on this concept-store?

J.Crew Men's Store In Paramus {now open!} :)

There is a post over at Racked (click here), that has two great shots of the new J.Crew Men's Store in Paramus, New Jersey, as well as the following:

The men's shop J.Crew opened in a former bar down in Tribeca can't really be replicated—there's too much going on, and the space is very unique. So Mickey Drexler has decided that each additional men's-only shop he opens will have its own vibe. Example: the 2,449-square-foot store that bowed about two weeks ago at the Garden State Plaza in New Jersey, which looks nothing like the Liquor Store bar location. Instead of being dimly lit and filled with dusty bottles of Campari, it's bright and open, with cement floors, industrial fixtures, a denim bar and a chino wall.

The new men's store in NJ definitely has a nice, upscale, clean feel to it. It also looks a lot more spacious than the Tribeca store. :) I would definitely check it out if I lived near by. I also appreciate J.Crew's decision to not replicate the Tribeca Men's Store, but to make each men's store its own unique style. Very cool!

J.Crew Hosts A Book Reading

"Thanks!" to an anonymous member of the blog who let us know about a recent article (click here) over at Racked:

Events: J.Crew Tells Men What They Should Know
by Leslie Price
October 8, 2008

Last night, J.Crew hosted a reading of their new book What a Man Should Know. The venue was the rare books room at the Strand, a suitably dusty and removed space on the third floor of a building next to the store at 826 Broadway. The little red volume, penned by British author Max Blagg and illustrated by Hugo Guinness, was stacked about the space. Well-dressed guests, among them J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler, flipped through it while sipping from complimentary cocktails or noshing on little short rib-filled pastries. Then, Blagg stepped up to the podium to read through a few of the 50 things a man should know (example: A man should know what to say to a sommelier. Not much. Let him impress you with his knowledge, and find you a wine that is both delicious and reasonably priced.) The tips were well received, but the laughter really began when Blagg moved on to selections from a ribald work-in-progress.

The book reading sounded like a fun and interesting event. I wonder how people knew to attend this event. (Did J.Crew market this event? Was it held for a select few or open to the public?) :)

What are your thoughts about J.Crew hosting a reading for this book (do you like or dislike)? Did you attend (or know about) the event?

J.Crew's Tribeca Men's Shop Flash Site {do you like?}

"Thanks!" to Doug who pointed out that the men's page (click here) on JCrew.com features a very cool flash site (click here) promoting the Tribeca men's store. Besides being able to view the collection, the flash site offers a brief history of the Tribeca bar, a quick look at the new "What a Man Should Know" book (refer to "J.Crew's Book: Rules Of Engagement" post), and some new views of the Tribeca store.

Although the material on the flash site is all information we have seen before, it is still pretty cool and interesting to look at. I really do like the layout and hope that J.Crew creates something similar for the Women's collection (perhaps another storyboard- I love those!) Also, I think it's too bad that some of the links don't seem to work. For example, the link to purchase the book or for the map to the store does not seem to work for me. (I am curious if we can purchase the book online or it is only available at their Tribeca store.) Hopefully the links work for you. :)

Lastly, I can't help think that J.Crew is really pushing (marketing-wise) the Tribeca men's store on its customers. I realize they want the store to perform well, but I feel like I have already seen the same material (e.g. Andy Spade's involvement with store design, Max Blagg's chewed pencils for $25 each, distressed jeans for $245) being presented over and over again. Perhaps if they start offering some new pieces or insights, that would get my interest again. :)

What are your thoughts on the Tribeca Men's shop flash site? Do you like or dislike the material, layout, and content?

J.Crew's Book: Rules Of Engagement

There is an interesting article (click here) over at GQ about J.Crew's latest offering.

The Rules of Engagement
By Johnathan Durbin
October 01, 2008

As reported earlier, J.Crew's first book is finally available. (And nope, it's not the latest masterwork from Mitch Albom.) Written by Max Blagg and illustrated by Hugo Guinness, What a Man Should Know is a collection of 50 (very) whimsical tips for the modern male. So what should you know? Chess, wine, and figure-drawing, yes, but also:

- Where Jackson Pollock is buried: "Jackson lies beneath an enormous rock in Green River Cemetery, East Hampton, NY. Also interred in the same graveyard are several other great Americans, including Frank O'Hara, Lee Krasner, and the divine muse Patsy Southgate. Take an afternoon off from the beach to pay your respects."

- How to properly fold a newspaper (broadsheet, not tabloid): "And under extreme or life-threatening conditions, be prepared to fashion it into a weapon on the lines of the so-called 'Millwall Brick' favored by certain English soccer hooligans."

- When to ignore certain rules of clothing etiquette: "For instance, the canard that he should not bedeck himself in shades of white or linen fabrics once Labor Day has come and gone. Refuse such orthodoxy! You're a big boy now. You can dress yourself."

$20, available at jcrew.com, and at the J.Crew Tribeca Men's Shop at the Liquor Store, 235 W. Broadway, NYC, (212) 226-5476

I am not sure I would spend $20 for a book about whimsical tips. Although I find the topics interesting, I am certain that if I gave this book to my husband or my brother, they would not read it. Also, considering the book's cover says "Volume I", should we be expecting J.Crew to create additional volumes?

What are your thoughts about this book? Do you think it is a smart move on J.Crew's part to offer this? Do you think you will purchase this book?

J.Crew Tribeca Men's Store: The NY Times Take

"Thanks!" to Doug, Richard, and others who shared with us this interesting article from the NY Times on J.Crew's Men Store in Tribeca, which makes for a nice read this weekend). (Click here for its entirety.)
A Package Store for Preppies
By Mike Albo
September 15, 2008

THE new J. Crew’s men’s boutique on the corner of West Broadway and White Street used to be a busy bar, often crowded with loud, drunk TriBeCans. I think I went there once or twice in the 1990s to accompany one of my women friends while they tried to pick up bankers. Because it was the ’90s, I was probably wearing some baggy secondhand gas-station attendant shirt and pair of bootleg cords, refusing to look put together because I didn’t want to appear preppy. ...

Near the door was a $1,200 plaid mackintosh that looked tasteful and durable. Next to it was a $125 English wool pinstripe blazer and accompanying vest. Carl tried on a dark blue rain slicker ($800), which looked crisp and professional on him, while I coveted a $325 Yorkshire tweed jacket with pleated pockets, wishing I had married a loud, drunk banker so I could buy it. ...

It does not function as a bar anymore, but you get the sense the store wants you to feel buzzed enough to forget the dismal economy and slap down your debit card. It offers upscale impulse buys like Aesop grooming products, John Derian decoupage paperweights, vintage vinyl albums from New Order and Devo, and used books like “Rabbit Redux” ($18) and “City of Night” ($5). Shirts hang on the racks with the sleeves wrinkled and rolled up as if they are at happy hour, including some nice basic button-downs for $59.50, and an attractive yellow plaid check for $68. ...

J.Crew’s selections come in an array of prices that keep your eye tempted: a $795 motocross leather jacket was near a $58 plaid wool cap, close to a $34.50 gray henley. I was especially drawn to a long, shawl-collar cardigan with pockets and big buttons made in a gray sweatshirt material ($78). It was a smart hybrid probably fashioned by some budding designer at the brand who will to start her own line next year.

Still, some items were so outrageously preppy, I felt my original odium for the style rising in my throat like bad grain-alcohol punch. A series of knit ties in bright colors, $49.50, brought to mind a tragically alcoholic dorm mate from college on his way to a football game, and a quilted patchwork tote, for $850, was something his equally blotto girlfriend would use to carry around her pumps and kegger go-cup.

Some items were just plain outrageous, preppy or not. A pair of $245 jeans with patches sewn all over them hung proudly in the center of the front room. (Aren’t we done with the whole fake-distressed trend?) A small glass case at the front of the store displayed vintage watchbands, belt buckles, aviators and pencils that have been chewed by the celebrated TriBeCan writer Max Blagg on sale for $25 each. Yes, that’s right —chewed pencils for $25. This is mostly a promotional gimmick — the store will soon offer copies of his book “What a Man Should Know” — but I couldn’t help but think of this as a trend, and imagined the poor, spidery Joyce Carol Oates sitting at an assembly line, gnawing away.

Carl and I stopped in front of a stack of vintage V-neck sweater vests, which were decorated with bright snowflakes and squares around the collar and waist. They were interesting, but they were also $200. A magnetic store person walked up and persuaded Carl to try one on. The little sweater made him resemble a Keebler elf in grad school. Carl politely returned the garment, and I pulled him out, before one of us went home with something we would regret the next morning.

Did you like/dislike the article's take on the store? Have you visited the Tribeca store since it's opening? If so, we would love to know what you think of it. ;)

J.Crew Tribeca Men's Shop: Photos & Review

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
The incredible images in the slide show come from two sources. The first 11 images are from A Continuous Lean (click here for link). The last 6 images are from UrbanDaddy (click here for link). Also, "thanks!" goes to J.Crew Guy in Canada and K (in the "Off On A Tangent: Ann Taylor & J.Jill" post) who shared with us the link for the "A Continuous Lean" site.

A big "thank you!" to Blumre and MMiller who shared with us their experience visiting the new Tribeca men's shop on opening day:

The store was very tight. It almost felt cramped. MMiller says that could have been because there were about 20 people in there that were clearly not shopping. Almost all of them, but for maybe 1 or 2 looked like J. Crew employees (they were all wearing lots of J. Crew and all obviously knew each other). Given that, only 1 person came over to ask if we wanted help.

MMiller wants me to make sure not to forget to mention that Mr. Drexler was there (like I could ever forget to mention that!) Mr. Drexler looked very put together and he seemed to be enjoying himself as he was chatting with other employees. He looked so much better than he did in that magazine picture! He didn't look his age at all, he looked young and vibrant. Which is probably why I didn't notice him until we had left the store and MMiller made a comment to me about him. It was a real "d'oh" moment.

I contemplated going back into the store and telling Mr. Drexler he should start a J. Crew foundation and I should be his first employee (its a lot more fun to give out money than raise it, and I am qualified, as an MSW). Because the company believes so highly in education (teachers and student's discounts) it should be devoted to improving teacher resources (my friends run this type of non-profit and I know it needs more money)! But then I thought that was a bad idea because I would sound like a dork! So I decided not to.

Shout out to Mr. Drexler: If you like this idea, email me! This would be a great way to boost J. Crew's image--- corporate philanthropy is a big deal these days!

MMiller did not seem to really notice the aesthetic of the store. He was not impressed considering all the hype around the store. The store was maybe 800 square feet. The bar was nice and polished but the problem with the store was that there wasn't that much space to stand back and look at the clothes!

They did have the Thomas Mason dress shirts there. The fabric is exceptionally thin! I actually told MMiller to pass on them because they were just too thin. He likes their regular dress shirts (the On End Point Collar ones). And for causal dress nothing could get him away from the Secret Wash Shirts. Over all, nothing in the store really jumped out at him.

I did see the Globe Trotter luggage. While the luggage might be able to support an elephant's weight, I wouldn't want to lug that through an airport, valet or no valet! The sky caps only get you so far, you still have to get it out of your house!

I did like the fire place in the store, and the bar was a cool display and checkout counter. Overall, we were both hoping to find some unique items that aren't in other stores. I didn't see much of it. Maybe it was just because you could barely move in that tiny space with so many J. Crew employees milling about. We both left feeling a little disappointed. However, we both felt better when we went up to the Prince Street Store and stepped back into a regular J.Crew. We still both love J.Crew, this store just wasn't our style.

I am looking forward to the new Women's Collection store opening right across the Park from me. I will be sure to go (best friend in tow) on opening day and maybe then I will recognize Mr. Drexler! (That store will also be MUCH bigger). I know the space where it will be opening and its a great place for a store!

-MMiller and Blumre over and out!

Blumre and MMiller added the following about the store's size:

These pictures... {in the slideshow} ...make the store look huge. The 4th one down, where you see the bar... yea that is only about 20 feet wide. Imagine that clogged with people, when the bar and the area behind it is about 5 ft wide! I mean you can't move! That back area (the pic after the dressing room, yes thats the back area of the store) is seriously half the size of my living room and I live in NYC--- we dont have a huge living room!)!

I can't see MMiller buying a suit using that mirror in the dressing room either... He scrutinizes himself 12 times over using the three way mirrors for every suit!

The fire place is actually in a narrow passageway and you almost don't notice it because the store is pretty dark inside. IMO they didn't do a great job on lighting (and we were there at 4:45 p.m.)! I did like the look of the ties on the bar! The optical effect was cool.

However, these pictures are taken from many different view points. Trust me when I say the store is TINY!

"Thanks!" again to Blumre and MMiller, we really appreciate your review! Overall, it doesn't sound like it's necessary to make a special trip to the new store (unless one is already in the area). I am a bit relieved since I was planning to make a special trip to NYC to see the store, but now there is no rush to. :)

What do you think of the Tribeca store layout? After reading the review of the new men's store, will you make a special trip to visit the store -or- plan to stop by only if you are in the area?

Images of the Tribeca Store

There is an article over at GQ (click here for link) which has some great images of the Tribeca Men's Only store:

Back to school
By Jared Flitn
Photos by Ben Ferrari
August 20, 2008

On trend: J.Crew, whose latest Manhattan store, the brand's first men's shop, pays tribute to classic American workwear. The 935-square-foot outpost is housed in the former digs of Liquor Store Bar, and retains the feel (if not the drunken good times) of its previous incarnation; the bar and bathrooms are intact, and whiskey bottles adorn its dark wood walls. On offer are specialty pieces from J.Crew's men's collection, Thomas Mason shirts, Globe-Trotter luggage, and a selection of vintage items that round out the space's quirky aesthetic (think tie-bars, first-edition books, and vinyl LPs).

Thank Jack Spade cofounder Andy Spade for the look—J.Crew consulted with him to help curate the goods and, apparently, the lifestyle that goes along with them: The new store's sponsoring a series of workshops based on Spade and business partner Anthony Sperduti's forthcoming book, What a Man Should Know (available there on September 1). So what should you know? Chess, wine, and figure-drawing, among other things. It's never too late to learn.

Open tomorrow, J. Crew Tribeca Men's Shop, 235 W. Broadway, NYC, (212) 226-5476

I didn't realize that Jack Spade is assisting J.Crew with their men-only store collection. I think that is fabulous! (I would like to know which famous designer is working with the women's side of fashion! ;) ) I also think it is great that the store will be promoting a "series of workshops" for men (but maybe they should include one on "how to dress" alongside "figure drawing"). I would actually be interested in going to those myself! :)

Update: There are a 6 more photos of the Tribecca store's interior over at UrbanDaddy (click here for link). After looking through the slide show, I actually have a pretty good idea of what the store layout looks like! :)

What are your impressions of the store layout- do you like the bar and how clothes are displayed? What do you think of Jack Spade's involvement with J.Crew's men store? Do you think hosting workshops (about cheese & drawing) at their store is a brilliant marketing idea or a financial bad move?

Tribeca Mens Shop: Open For Business Aug 21st

"Thanks!" to Blumre who shared with us an email J.Crew sent announcing their Men-Only store that is opening in NYC. From the email, we can see the grand opening will take place on Thursday, August 21st. The retail store's location is: 235 West Broadway (at White Street).

For recent news on their Men-only store, see the following posts:

• Menswear Getting More Attention
• Article On The Trend Of Men's Only Store
• J.Crew: Men's Look Book & Men's Only Store
  

For those living in NYC (or planning to visit), will you plan on visiting the store? Are you excited by the store's opening? Do you think they will serve liquor at the new men-only store <wink>?

Menswear Getting More Attention

A big "thank you!" goes to J.Crew Guy in Canada who shared with us the following article (for its entirety click here) about menswear getting more attention from retailers.

Menswear Moving to the Front – Part 2
By Chris Hogan
July 5, 2008

As we discussed in last week’s column, the New York menswear market is in the midst of renaissance of sorts. But it’s not just luxury brands that are focusing more on the men in their lives; mid market brands are making a statement in the Big Apple too.

J.Crew, a favorite everyday brand of Off The Cuff, is setting up a men’s only shop in the landmark Liquor Store building, at 235 West Broadway at White Street in Tribeca. The men’s store, which will be smaller than a typical J. Crew store, will carry the best of J. Crew’s men’s collection, including their unique collector’s items - upscale, limited-edition pieces like the $800 leather mail bag. According to CEO Micky Drexler, the store is “a very short-term lease,” with “very little investment and risk,” which will allow the company “to fool around and play with a men’s store.”

Additionally, the company has been sending out mini-catalogs that focus only on their men’s clothing and accessories lines. These targeted marketing efforts have been very well received and gives J. Crew the ability to sell its higher end wares directly to their male customers.

This emerging but strong trend toward menswear will likely spread across the retail market. As I have noted before, men are not like women when it comes to shopping, but there has been a distinct shift back toward guys appreciating and seeking out quality clothing and accessories. Though this is most true for “investment” level clothes like suits and other tailored pieces, J. Crew’s men’s store concept is an example of transferring the investment mentality to everyday dressing. It’s sort of a reverse approach to the commoditization trend that has effectively devalued many once exclusive brands. Instead of making their wares more accessible to average consumers, companies like J. Crew are developing limited edition products at very outsized price points and targeted at discerning shoppers.

The company is also taking marketing cues from luxury brands that have long touted things like the prestigious family mills which supply their fabric. J. Crew is busily developing relationships with companies like Baird McNutt, an innovative, family-owned Irish mill in Ballymena known for incredible linens.

What makes this type of strategy successful is that they’re not faking it. J. Crew is seeking out real manufacturers who make really good, exclusive products. It’s authentic and fits very well with their customer base. The real stories and premium price tags are providing the boost that the company wants in menswear. They have also made serious efforts to improve the construction quality of their products, and adding additional practical value to their wares.

“Women’s got turned around, and now it’s time for men’s,” says Todd Snyder, senior vice-president of men’s design for J. Crew. And one way to sell the ongoing J. Crew story of original lifestyle brands is through collaborations with designer-frequented mills. “We say, why spend $1,000 at Bergdorf Goodman for a jacket you can get for $300 here? It’s the same thing.” Customers are recognizing quality fabrics, so Snyder has made it his mission to work with the best in the business. “We’re becoming the biggest customer of mills like Moon and Mallalieus, who work with Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Ralph Lauren,” he says. “We’re after quality.” ...

It’s a stylistic approach to vertical integration; to try and capture all socioeconomic levels of the men’s lifestyle market – from Gap to Hermes. That’s the holy grail of any retailer or ad executive, but it seems that our culture may now be at this mythical point. We’ll have to wait and see if the trend truly takes hold, but it appears that while doing so more men will be better dressed and know which fork to use.

A few weeks ago, there was a post here (called Article On The Trend Of Men's Only Store) about retailers devoting dedicated stores to men. As I mentioned in that post, I think it's great that J.Crew is now devoting stores entirely to men. I find that sometimes, men get shortchanged in the depth and breadth of clothing items in dual-gender stores.

Do you think that this trend is one that will last? What do you think about J.Crew's multiple attempts to capitalize on the trend of male fashion-conscious consumers? If you are a J.Crew Aficionado, will you shop at a J.Crew's new line of men's clothing? If you are a J.Crew Aficionada, will the man in your life pro-actively shop at J.Crew's men-only store?

Article On The Trend Of Men's Only Store

There is an interesting story over at the L.A. Times that is worth sharing. For the article in its entirety, click here. The following are selected portions:

L.A.'s Ferragamo shop leads the way in stores for men only
By Adam Tschorn
August 10, 2008

GUYS, Salvatore Ferragamo knows you want that $30,000 burgundy crocodile duffel -- and thinks it has the perfect lure. The brand's new men's boutique at the Beverly Center in L.A. -- the first of its kind in the country -- is a study in Italian-style man-luxe: 2,000 square feet of wood-grained walls, cream-colored floors and buttery leather couches where you can sip espresso while perusing the full men's collection that ranges from $160 neckties to that oh-so extravagant duffel.

Male desire, thy name is paneling. And comfy chairs. And a store environment to call your own. At least that's the formula that seems to be emerging as retailers train their powers of enticement on guys.

Looking beyond the purse-and-pumps model that built its business, Ferragamo is on the leading edge of a new and energetic grab for the hearts and wallets of men. Later this month, J. Crew is going man-centric, opening its first men's store in a converted Tribeca drinking establishment, with a curated "best-of" collection alongside Globe-Trotter luggage and vintage Borsalino hats. By next fall, Hermès and Ralph Lauren plan to have Manhattan real estate devoted solely to men's merchandise, and Tiffany recently opened its third men's jewelry store in Japan.

Why the sudden discovery of the XY chromosome? It turns out that in the current economic environment, men's shopping has been one of the few bright spots. According to Wendy Liebmann, chief executive of WSL Strategic Retail, a company that studies shopping habits, there are two reasons: Men are traditionally more optimistic than women on the economy ("Because they don't see the prices at the grocery store every other day," Liebmann says). And a new generation of style-savvy 20- to 40-year-old male shoppers is roaming the malls. The result is a retail landscape ripe for a shot of testosterone. ...

The retail outpost as pseudo-bar/gathering place isn't accidental, Liebmann says. "What you're starting to see is the recognition from retailers that it isn't just about a different physical space; it's about a different mood, a different environment. And sometimes another floor in the same building isn't enough."It's an approach being used beyond the luxury labels too. Preppy staple J. Crew is putting the final touches on its men's-only space -- the former Liquor Store bar at 235 W. Broadway in New York City.When the Liquor Store location opens later this month, it will be with the original fixtures -- including the bathrooms and the bar itself -- intact, as a showcase for the pricier men's pieces in the line, including Japanese selvage denim and broken-in chinos, collaborations with Red Wing and Thomas Mason and an assortment of old-school brands like Mackintosh coats and Timex watches. ...

I personally think that it is great that some brands are now devoting stores entirely to men. I find that sometimes, men get shortchanged in the depth and breadth of clothing items in dual-gender stores.

What do you think about the Men-only store capitalizing on the trend of male fashion-conscious consumers? Do you like the J.Crew Men-Only store concept? Will you shop at J.Crew's Men-Only store?

J.Crew's New Formats

Although this article is from a month ago (click here for original article), I still find it interesting (and I hope you do too!)

New Formats on J. Crew Agenda
By David Moin
Friday, June 06, 2008

NEW YORK — J. Crew Group wants to discover what's cool and unique and break out new formats for selling the goods, Millard "Mickey" Drexler, chairman and chief executive officer, told shareholders Thursday.

"We are trying to be world curators, in a sense," Drexler said during the firm's annual meeting at the Gramercy Park Hotel here. "Our goal is not to be the biggest. It's to be the best. But as we get bigger, we spend more time on smaller things. Whatever we do is for the long term, although we get measured quarter to quarter."

Drexler outlined a 2008 agenda that includes:

- The first J. Crew freestanding men's store at 235 West Broadway in SoHo opening in mid-summer. The 1,200-square-foot space has a two-year lease, and J. Crew is searching for a bigger and more permanent site in lower Manhattan. It will be followed by a unit in Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J.

- The first women's Collection store on 79th Street and Madison Avenue is to open in August.

- The "Just Ask" program for enhanced service is being rolled out. It started at the Rockefeller Center store three weeks ago and offers experts trained to help customers with everything from arranging alterations or appointments with personal shoppers, to getting fabric swatches for bridesmaid dresses.

J. Crew features a growing assortment of brands and exclusives from around the globe, without the J. Crew label, which for about the past year have been appearing in the retailer's catalogues, online and in the stores. Red Wing men's boots from Minnesota made its debut at J. Crew last winter. Globe Trotter luggage from London appeared in the June catalogue and exclusively designed Selima sunglasses launched this spring.

Vintage Timex watches made exclusively for J. Crew will launch in August, and in the past, Land Cruisers and Jorg and Olif bicycles could be purchased by special order direct from the manufacturer.

"Whether it be special luggage, vintage watches, old cars, vintage work boots, very cool straw hats — when something strikes our fancy as 'wow,' or as very cool, and there's not a lot of it around, we just think it's fun to include in the assortments," Drexler told WWD. In addition, the company conducted its first trunk show this week, a two-day event for the Crewcuts kids' division held in an Upper East Side town house. Future trunk shows for Crewcuts or other categories are possible.

Drexler also updated progress at the two-year-old Madewell division, which he considers a work in progress. Madewell will launch e-commerce in July and soon open two stores on Boston's Newbury Street and on Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich, Conn. Six are up and running.

The $1.4 billion J. Crew has a strategy to go after the designer customer, with quality comparable to designer goods, prices that are much lower and with styles and items that are scarce. Drexler wouldn't put a figure on how much volume the company does with products bearing labels that aren't J. Crew. It is a small but growing percentage.

"To be cool today, you don't really have to spend a fortune," he said. "As importantly, the world is always looking for scarcity. As designers get bigger and bigger, they get less special."

"We are seeing a lessening of what we consider special and unique, people are constantly on the hunt for special. If you don't create or innovate, you basically move backwards" Drexler said. "We're getting behind what we think is cool."

The retailer last month reported first-quarter net income up 23.7 percent to $30.5 million, or 48 cents a diluted share, compared with $24.6 million, or 39 cents, in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. However, due to concerns about the economy, some slowing of comp-store sales gains and resistance to summer shorts and T-shirts, the company now projects diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.70 to $1.75, compared with its previous guidance range of $1.85 to $1.87.

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What are your thoughts on the article? Do you agree or disagree on any points made by J.Crew? Also, do you think the article meant "vintage Rolex" watches instead of "Timex"? Because I can totally afford vintage Timex (regular price too!), not vintage Rolex. ;) Also, I would like to have known about the "Trunk Show" earlier this year- did anyone get to go or know more about it?

J.Crew: Men's Look Book & Men's Only Store

The Look Books for J.Crew that I have seen, were always targeted for women. So I was pleasantly surprised to see at their website a Look Book exclusively for men (click here for link). I think that is fabulous and hope that they decide to print the Look Book as well (if it's not already available in a paper version). I always felt like the men got a little short changed in the catalogs (e.g. not enough pages showcasing men's fashion), so it's nice to see that J.Crew is devoting more pages to them. :)

The Men's Look Book coincides with J.Crew's latest news (that JRL pointed out in the "JCrew's Website is Updated" post,) which is they are opening a "men's only store" in Tribeca, NY (during August of this year). J.Crew is also showcasing "Tribeca Mens Shop" at their website (click here), which has items that will be featured at the men's only shop in NY.

The following are excerpts of an article in DNR about the men's store in NYC (click here to see the article in its entirety):

J.Crew to Open First Men’s Store in Tribeca
By Jean E. Palmieri
Mar. 11, 2008

"J.Crew has found the location for its first men’s-only store. It will be located at The Liquor Store, a landmark building at 235 West Broadway at White Street in Tribeca. It will be smaller and more intimate than the company’s other stores, according to a spokesperson, and is slated to open in the early summer.

It will carry “the best-of-the-best” of the J.Crew men’s collection, including Collector’s Items, its upscale, limited-edition items. It will also offer the company’s “list” of the items that every man should own.

Millard Drexler, CEO of J.Crew, mentioned the planned debut of the men’s-only store during the company’s fourth quarter and year-end conference call on Tuesday. He said the store is “a very short-term lease,” involving “very little investment and risk,” that will allow the company “to fool around and play with a men’s store. It’s going to be small.” Drexler said the company is continuing to work on finding locations for “one or two” larger freestanding men’s stores, but no leases have been found."

What do you think about the Men's Look Book? Are you excited that J.Crew will have a men's only store? Do you think they should open more "men's only stores"?