Inside J.Crew's Women Collection Store {sigh!}

A big "thanks!" to Issy, JennLynn, Kelly, Danielle, Raina, as well as Jodi (in this post), who shared the following {fantastic} article with us.

Over at LonNY magazine (click here), there is a feature article on J.Crew and their Creative Director Jenna Lyons. There are some wonderful interior shots of the store, and more importantly, there are some spectacular shots of the merchandise.

Quite the Collection: The J.Crew Women's Collection store rouses the Upper East Side.
By Shawn Gauthier
Winter 2009

In September of 2008 a new storefront quietly unveiled itself at Manhattan's cross-section of Madison Avenue and 79th Street, nestling itself comfortably next to its posh neighbor, Lilly Pulitzer. Through the glass panel of the front door, a vision of presumably designer merchandise could be spotted by curious onlookers. As they approached, another detail came into clarity: The store's name and address, J.Crew, N Ten Thirty-Give, whispered gracefully in gold cursive across the door.

The merchandise so stylishly present in this store is not the assumptive couture, but instead the highly anticipated J.Crew Women's Collection, a limited edition line deliciously spritzed with designer-esque details. Updated seasonally, the store features everything from vintage Rolexes and charm bracelets to t-shirts and jewelry in its classic yet trendy brand appeal. Perhaps the best part is that the beauty of design does not stop with the clothing, it's just as infectious in the store's whimsical, surprising and elegantly stately decor.

The interior scheme is ultimately the brainchild of creative director Jenna Lyons, the mastermind behind the enigma that has become the J.Crew brand. She drew inspiration from old Manhattan, segueing with today's downtown influences. Having had recently remodeled her own home she shares with her family in Park Slope when this project arose, she pulled many ingenious aspects of her own renovation into the store itself.

The overhaul started with the floor in the Collection store, which features a reclaimed hickory from Pennsylvania, and is stunningly gorgeous in its authenticity. "We wanted really beautiful material in the traditional herringbone pattern but not done in such an expected way, so we left them unfinished and kept everything neutral so that the clothes would pop," explains Lyons.

From there, the store's uniquely chic image blossomed, the elements falling into place. Although the majority of the store reflects the aforementioned neutral palette, the team exercised fun and unexpected detail with both the powder and fitting rooms. The former, mapped in distinct floor-to-ceiling black and white stripes (which continue right over the built in shelving) is a motif lifted directly from Lyons' own bathroom. The dressing rooms feature bright magentas and soft blush pinks with pops of neon, and one showcases a Louis XVI stool against a backdrop of Donghia stripes.

Intrigued the marriage of new and old, vintage French Serge Mouille light fixtures illuminate the front room of the store, complementing the modernized tables gracefully adorned by deftly styled mannequins. Built-in vitrines house some of the higher priced jewelry and accessories, sparkling beneath a glass shield and enticing in their breathtaking, often handmade detail.

"We're able to sprinkle a selection of specially designed pieces from small artisans that we wouldn't normally be able to work with [outside of the Collection store]", says Lyons. "We feel extremely lucky to carry them, and are constantly bringing in new artists based on who we discover."

The accessories room features a range of items from shoes to bags to cashmere scarves, which are housed on crisply white shelves embedded into a charcoal paint wall, balanced by a vintage Kilim rug across the hardwood in bieges, browns and pastels. The mixture breathes a rich, enigmatic nuance into the space, balanced effortlessly by the Parson-inspired tables, a mix of parchment paper and ebonized oak that lays claim to further accessories.

As distinct in decor detail as they are in their clothing, all of the shop's fixtures are finished in un-lacquered brass, designed specifically to tarnish like the front doors of many Manhattan landmarks. According to Lyons, adding simple touches such as this, as well as being very purposeful about furniture selection, can transfer the look of the J.Crew Collection's store into one's own home. It was by no accident the team chose the Donghia mohair couch for the accessories room; catching the light from the vintage Sputnik chandelier above, it glows with a jeweled luster in its antiquity.

Though the J.Crew Collection store entered the Upper East Side without much of a stir, both its exclusivity eloquent fashion and impeccable interiors have since made waves within the industry. Lyons is always ensuring that the location of each shop is somehow laced within the overall scheme; so although the store came in quietly, the neighborhood did not go unnoticed. "(In the Collection Store) we added handmade French-inspired raised panel doors, mixed with lacquered finishes," she says. "We always try to draw on the immediate community to create relevance and a connection".

Direct From Jenna Lyon's Home to J.Crew:
Five Elements the Collection Store is Proud to Feature

1. Playful fun pops of color and unexpected detail
2. Vintage Serge Mouile light fixtures
3. Antique brass fixtures (Lyons actually sprayed salt water on her own brass pieces to naturally oxidize them!)
4. Chalkboard paint by Benjamin Moore
   
5. Black and white striped bathroom (identical to Lyons' own)

I have to say, everything looks delicious!!! I cannot wait to see those items in-person.

What are your thoughts on the article? Did you enjoy the pieces featured in the piece? Are there any items you are interested in getting?