Bizarre. It makes little sense that J.Crew would deny their talented work force the opportunity of buying the Alexa Chung for Madewell collection (click here to view & shop the line). I mean, they are b-u-y-i-n-g it after all!J.Crew Employees Banned From Buying Alexa Chung’s New Madewell Collection at a Discount
By Amy Odell
September 9, 2010
J.Crew is good to their staff. We've heard tales from the inside about free all-you-can-eat-ice-cream day in the cafeteria and very generous employee discounts. However, every now and then something so special comes along that even the kindest of companies have to prioritize who they work for — the general public — over who works for them.
We hear that employees are banned from using their discounts on Alexa Chung's new Madewell line, which just went up for sale online. Of course they could probably find a way around it, and sneak into the store as a plebeian and buy it full price, but all special employee shopping privileges for this collection are off. Since it's such a hot commodity, if you had your eye on any of it you might want to swoop in soon, like the bat on Alexa's shirt that says "HELLO." How can you resist the "HELLO" bat? It's perfect for anyone going to Fashion Week who wants to wear their mood (you know, batty) across their chest.
Update: A source tells us J.Crew employees are banned from buying the line at all. Oh well — at least they have ice-cream day.
Isn't someone actually wearing the clothes, the best advertisement for the line? Why not the employee while working at Madewell?
And while we are on the topic of Alexa Chung & Madewell... "Thanks!" again to Ashley, who shared the following articles too:
- Style.com's "Alexa Chung Thinks It’s Weird That You Dress Like Her" post
- Reagan's Blog "Alexa Chung for Madewell. (don’t expect me to shut up about her any time soon)" post
I have been told that there is always a list of items that are 'off limits' for SA's to purchase at a discount and it usually includes all of items that they anticipate will sell out... I wonder if they ever revise later? SA's also are limited on what they can return.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really been that interested in shopping Madewell...is it any good? And why is Alexa Chung famous as a person? Her whole appeal escapes me.
ReplyDeleteI am still trying to see what is so exciting about Alexa Chung myself. I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteI had to check out the collection and it is really hard to believe that people are excited about it! And that a good majority of it is sold out!! to me it looks overpriced and not cute??
ReplyDeleteWow! I can't believe that line is so expensive! It seems like you could easily recreate the looks with similar items at cheaper prices! I wonder how the quality is?
ReplyDeleteSame here, I don't really get what the big deal about Alexa Chung is?
ReplyDeleteI guess, Mickey really wants to make profits and probably didn't want to see his employees snapping up those pieces at 60% discount (for full price) and (50% for sale; final sale though).
That's just bizarre. I could understand not being able to use their discount, but to be banned from buying it all together?! Aren't their employees the ones who represent the merchandise?
ReplyDeleteI guess I am out of the loop, because I don't see what all the hype is about. I don't like the line and have no interest in buying any of her clothing. I guess after it sits in the warehouse and in the stores, they'll give them the privilege and honor of buying something from her line (smile). Yuck!
ReplyDeleteThey probably wont allow it for fear that they will turn around and try to sell it on eBay for a profit. I remember when I worked at Macy's in college we were told not to buy anything and turn around and sell it for a profit, even a $1 profit; if we did we would be fired.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the exclusivity of the items is another reason I'm sure. Why make $500 off a collection piece when you could make $800.
I have heard the same thing as Twiga about the list of items that are *off limits* for employees. Most of the Alexa Chung line sold out quickly anyways, so there wasn't much of a need for the SA's to *advertise* it by wearing the pieces.
ReplyDeleteI don't do Madewell, so I know nothing about the line.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very stupid on the part of J. Crew to ban employees from buying anything. They are essentially walking advertisments for the company. And they should always get their discount.
I actually kind of appreciate a retailer limiting the employee purchase of certain items, particularly ones that they feel are going to sell out quickly or that they produce a limited number of. I'd be pretty ticked off if I was dying for a certain sweater that was sold out everywhere only to see three staff members wearing it. I agree that there have to be perks for staff, but not so that your customers lose out.
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing- concern that the customer will "miss out" if the employees get to buy? I agree with JenLynn, it's all about the profits. Also, I think the JCAs as a group are pretty style savvy, so if a lot of us are unimpressed, maybe other people are stopping by the store only to leave sans Alexa Chung. These articles, IMO are just to fan the eternal PR flame that, to borrow from WFF, Dear Leader seems to enjoy so much. Now, if they really want us to buy in to the "customer concern" theory, I have a few suggestions...
ReplyDeleteI happen to love Alexa Chung's effortless cool style and bought several pieces from her line at Madewell (but no velvet hot pants for me, thanks). All the pieces were well made and have a school girl vibe that I love about Alexa. I get endless compliments when I wear those pieces out. I know some JCAs don't get the hype, but personally I love the collection and would like to see more collaborations like that from Madewell/J Crew.
ReplyDeleteI purchased one of the Alexa shirts from Madewell and love it! It is very well made, flattering, and super cute! I bought the first day so was lucky to get, and I know a lot has sold out, at least on-line. Kind of nice to allow the public not near a Madewell to get first dibs. :)
ReplyDeleteI've gotten several things from Madewell that I love. I got a great black blazer, and just picked up a really cute ruffle shirt that was on sale for $19.99 from $89. I'll keep checking Madewell for more good finds.
I quite like Alexa, she's just got that cool London muso vibe going on - that's what makes her a hit with the young un's. If I was 20 years younger she'd be my style icon.
ReplyDeleteI HIGHLY doubt that employees are banned from buying the line AT ALL. That would be dumb as they could just go to another store and purchase without mentioning they are an employee. I do understand not being able to buy it with a discount. It is a limited-run, very popular line. Most items are already sold out. I worked at American Apparel and we were not able to purchase new items with our discount for two weeks, and some hot items for quite a while with our discount.
ReplyDeleteAlexa is definitely a style icon to the younger, hipper generation, and I am going to take a stab and assume that perhaps those who don't get why everyone is so crazy about the line are the same who dislike J.Crew's current high-end styling and younger-skewing design.
Sub
ReplyDeleteSorry sub again
ReplyDeleteHelllloooo J.Crew, I'm sure the employees are banned from buying, but what's to say they "hold" items for others to buy?
ReplyDeleteIt's called a loophole, and a lot of people find a way to get skinny enough in thought to fit through it. Their loss prevention team is run by a bunch of idiots. Smart Mickey, isn't so smart.
Rules are meant to be challenged, then broken.
H-Y-P-E that's all it is really.
ReplyDeleteI used to live in London, as a kid and later as an adult and an eclectic sense of style was always the alternative to stuffy Sloane street fare (uppercrust twinset and pearls). Ms Chung is really nothing NEW. There are millions like her on every 'high street' in the UK. Over here she's seen as quirky chic and just pulls items together in an unexpected way, just like our dear Jenna — they march to the same drum when it comes to the 'individual style'.
I was in the NY store the week after the launch and it was bedlam--shrieking, squealing, grabbing, no fitting rooms, loooong line to the cash register. We older gals may not understand but Mickey seems to. I was very interested in a couple of the more classic pieces but they were sold out by the time I could try them on. Ms Chung is a goddess with the younger crowd. I think she has a cute style and it is fairly wholesome looking with I appreciate after seeing too much belly and cleavage from that age group of late.
ReplyDeleteI don't live near a Madewell and I don't want to pay return shipping, so I haven't tried anything from there. As for the employee discounts, an sa told me that there is always a list of new items that they can't purchase with their discounts for a certain amount of time. While I can understand that's a bummer for them, I think it's great to give the rest of us a chance. If my b&m received a ton of items in each size, it would be different. Although I'm sure that if I worked there I wouldn't like the policy. :)
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the Alexa Chung line but I wouldn't go screaming insane for it. I've been quite happy with all my Madewell purchases thus far and will continue to shop there as long as they meet my needs. I'll be 25 soon so perhaps will be too old, but I don't know, some of the things seem good for any age. My Mom borrowed one of my Madewell blouses recently and loved it. Depends how you put it all together.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty indifferent to Alexa Chung but I know quite a few of my peers who rave about her. Stylistically most of the clothing is pretty mediocre and the prices are as inflated as the hype around the line. I was excited for Madewell when the brand was first created when I first started undergrad. I'd gotten some really cute stuff from its earlier days but as of late, nothing seems worth buying especially at the listed prices.
ReplyDeleteMadewell sent out an e-mail blast today about their fall sale. I checked it out and lots of Alexa Chung items are on sale. Seems her unflattering jeans and twee dresses aren't as popular as the folks at J. Crew anticipated.
ReplyDelete