"Thanks!" to many of you, including Silver_Lining (in this post), as well as Jennifer, Anonymous & Ashley, who let us know about the following feature from J.Crew.Last week, J.Crew updated its homepage to feature new arrivals (refer to the "J.Crew Updates Website with New Arrivals!" post). During this update, they also included a neat little video titled "About a Shoe":
You can watch the video at the end of this post. You can also click the link HERE. To check out the shoes, click here.The Backstory
Why do we make our shoes in Italy? We like to go the extra mile to make sure our designs have the quality, durability, and comfort to meet our particularly high standards. We pair knockout design with hands-on craftsmanship to make each pair a true work of art (it should come as no surprise that all of us here in the J.Crew offices are incurable shoe addicts). Recently, our design team visited a renowned mill set in the ancient village of Castelfranch di Sotto, Italy, to watch their creations come to life- and they got it all on film. Check out our fascinating footage from award-winning fashion documentarian Douglas Keeve.
Another "thanks!" to Jennifer, who shared with us the following mini-interview with Jenna Lyons regarding this video from the Huffington Post (click here to read in its entirety):
HuffPost Style: What was the best thing you ate in Italy?Once again, I have to say that I love watching these behind the scenes videos! My thoughts on the video & interview... First, that shoe looks amazing on Marissa Webb. Second, I want to go back to Italy! Third, Marissa and Jenna sound so much alike.
Jenna Lyons: Aside from the gelato, the cappuccino and the pasta?! It's like picking my favorite child. The truffle risotto at the Villa d'Este...actually everything at the Villa d'Este. It was pretty incredible on all fronts. Buca Mario which is a tiny mom & pop restaurant in Florence...they had the most amazing roasted potatoes with rosemary. (We actually filmed part of the film in there [where] Marissa modeled the shoes.) Nociola gelato (which is hazelnut & pistachio) at this little gelato place next to our shoe factory in Florence.
HuffPost Style: What was an inspiring look you saw in Florence that you don't see all over New York?
Jenna Lyons: Honestly, what resonated most to me during the trip was the reason why one has to come to Italy to find the level of quality, the craftsman ship and history of craftsmanship. This doesn't exist anywhere else. A couple of fashion items that stood out for me: Return of the kitten heel and the pointy toe; Fun happy colored shoes; Shoe booties
HuffPost Style: Totally off-topic, but when did you start wearing bright lipstick?
Jenna Lyons: Isn't it so great? There is something about reds and oranges that are more yellow [than] blue that I love. Gayle, our head women's stylist always has the boldest colors -- whether it's an orange, red or a coral. We do what we love in the catalog as well as on JCrew.com. As we start to infuse more color combinations, when it comes to makeup, less is more. Beautiful clean fresh, bare, dewy skin, nothing on [the] eye, brushed browns and a flash of color on the lips. It looks great on the everyone. This real pop is a dense pigment color - always spare application b/c of color's intensity, so it looks dapped on.
What is even more awesome that this is just part one of three in their fashion documentary series. I look forward to seeing the other two ("About a Thread Count" & "About a Print").
What are your thoughts on the video? Do you think you like the styles more now that you have seen the video?
I made my feelings pretty well known in the vent thread, but I just think it's ironic that they mentioned comfort when the general JCA consensus is that most of the time, the shoes are not at all comfy. As for the quality...
ReplyDeletetruffle risotto at Villa d'Este, hmm? one of the most expensive dishes in Europe (absent caviar)… take that, greedy shareholders!
ReplyDeleteLOL at the comment about having to go to Italy to find quality. Let's hope they start bringing it back with them!
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of a pair of tortoise flats I got on super sale, I haven't purchased JC shoes in a very long time. Let's just say the only pairs that haven't fallen apart on me in under a month are the ones that are too uncomfortable to wear more than once a leap year.
I still miss you, Lulu peep toes in dark cloud. I wish we'd had more time together.
Dara, I have those Lulu's! I wore them less than 10 times and they look awful - the inner lining is peeling, the soles have almost worn through, and they're not very comfortable either. But, they're "Italian"! Right.
ReplyDeleteHi all, I am new here.
ReplyDeleteI live in Italy, and while it's true that you can find some amazing artisans and manufacturers that can produce incredible stuff (such as shoes), there are plenty of poorly made products.
Good quality is almost always quite expensive, and although I have never bought any shoes from J. Crew, the 'man made soles' and the prices were a pretty good giveaway of the actual quality of their shoes.
Oh how I do hope they do one on their supposedly fabulous cashmere. It'll have to be a short film, of course, hurry up and shoot before the pilling begins...
ReplyDeleteI've tried on their shoes, and have found them unbearably uncomfortable. Zero arch support. There was a pair of pretty heels a few years back that I craved with a childlike intensity, but I couldn't even walk around the store in them they hurt so much. Had I bought them, I would also have had to employ Bela Karolyi to carry me around.
I find this hemming and hawing about quality and how special it is that J. Crew makes its shoes in Italy a little embarrassing when everything else is made in China. And as far as comfort goes, it's so hit or miss with most of the hits being shoes that are from the older guard. Instead of spending money on sending Jenna and Marissa to film this, I wish they actually would have poured those dollars into quality control.
ReplyDeleteAlso: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/23/opinion/23thomas.html?_r=2
This article is a few years old but I'm sure this practice is rampant as ever now.
I am sorry, but my reaction when I saw the shoes that Marissa was wearing was "she is the one that ruined J Crew". Those shoes were so representative of the chunky stuff that they are producing later. I used to like more their old ballets (some of the new ones too, to be fair) and their peep-toes. Where are the tivolis? the alessias? the penelopes? the juliets? the lulus? I miss them
ReplyDeleteI like the behind the scenes videos too. Love Jenna Lyon's honest expression while in the tiny elevator. Oh, and the fact Giammattei (sp?) admits to having tried on women's shoes! Lol
ReplyDeleteOh come on now, JCrew sure does make some pretty sandals! All of my sandals have held up very well so I can't complain (same w/the boots). Yes, they are flat and hard but I'm ok w/that since I end up loving at least a few of the styles each summer. (I'm partial to some of Clarks shoes but the look I want just isn't there in their summer flat sandals.)
I do need to add some 'athletic' sandals to my collection, you know with padding & soles that I can actually run through the grass in. Last year I tried some Merrells, etc., but when it came to parting w/the almighty dollar I gave into 'look' (hello JCrew) over functionality.
P.S. While I do like wedges and some heels, I too am not a fan of alot of the whorelike platforms available either.
They need to title the next video "About the Quality"....
ReplyDeleteWhy do we make our clothes in China? We like to go the extra mile to save money and make sure our bottom line passes some 5 year old's quality control. We don't particularly have high standards to durability. We pair knock off designs with hands off craftmanship to make each item, truly original, as the quality will leave you guessing! Recently, our design team visited some factory filled with underaged children, set in the outskirts of China to watch our creations be massed produced- check out the little fingers at work in our new video!
You can watch the video and the seams unravel HERE, at jcrew.com
This one's for you, Christy -- for all of us, actually:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.laborarts.org/exhibits/ilgwu/song.cfm
I love my lulus and perfect patent pumps... but I also had to get the heels resurfaced (what's that called?) on all of them! On one pair of my lulus - the whole heel actually came off. I've seen that happen in movies, but never actually had it happen to me. Most JC shoes either just don't fit me or I can't justify the cost. I agree with previous posts - manmade soles and zero comfort at those price points? I spend my shoe dollars on Kate Spade and Cole Haan. Cute, quality and comfort (and leather soles). Oh yeah, and they've never been to the shoe repair man :)
ReplyDeleteHi nomoneyfun, thanks for posting the link! I found this excerpt interesting:
ReplyDelete"To please customers looking for the 'Made in Italy' label, several luxury companies now have their goods made in Italy by illegal Chinese laborers. Today, the Tuscan town of Prato, just outside of Florence and long the center for leather-goods production for brands like Gucci and Prada, has the second-largest population of Chinese in Europe, after Paris."
Weren't they in Florence in the video?
nomoneyfun - Great article! I had a feeling that some of the Made in Italy labels are possible because of small things like hardware. I thought it might be as simple as concepts and samples were made in Italy then it could get the stamp if production took place elsewhere.
ReplyDeletewellfedfred - That's awesome. Unions...misunderstood, imo.
Right on, Gigi. Denise just mentioned this NYT article in the vent thread that was written in the fall...very interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/world/europe/13prato.html
econobelle - thats really a harsh statement - i find this blog really going down hill - what ive seen for spring online and in the catolog looks great -color! items without the overstyling, and im assumining thats under webbs direction. also, every time ive had the pleasure to meet ms webb, and in pictures shes never in clunky heels but kitten heels.
ReplyDeletethe video was fun and inspiring also. i really enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes. thanks for sharing.
sorry but i wont be visiting this sight anymore. alexis, you're great but all the negativity and hate on this blog has really brought your site down.
WFF, thanks, now that friggin' song is stuck in my head...LOL.
ReplyDeleteEconobelle, I echo your thoughts. I saw that video and thought, ok, at least we have a name and face to blame the designs on. She is, after all, the head designer.
Double, unfortunately Miss Webb is only going to wear things she views as beautiful. We all do. To know that you've met her a few times and haven't seen her creations on her own two feet suggests she doesn't have much fashion conviction and confidence in her own product.
I hear dogs don't poop where they sleep.
I've only ever gotten one pair of shoes from Jcrew (so far) the black leather brougues and love love love! Gorgeous and the aesthetic was exactly what I wanted, I believe they have leather soles and it's early to talk about quality but looks very nice to me and has been breaking in nicely for comfort. If the high heeled versions go on sale I will try hard to justify snapping them up and if they last a season or two getting another color.
ReplyDeletechristy, im not going to get into a tit for tat with you. She has one of the strongest wills that i can see. And if people have to look for blame, its easy to blame ms webb and not the company of jcrew. i have also met jenna. both lovely people. they have both been at the company for over 10 years each. Interesting bit of information while looking to "blame". Also from the video, what i take away from it is fun and educational. Jenna and marissa designing together. its so easy to hide behind a blog and criticize. get the facts straight first. best of luck to you alexis.
ReplyDeleteThis is my personal rant about J. Crew shoes: I don't care where they are made, but I *refuse* to pay premium prices for shoes that are a) not lined in leather or some other breathable material; b) have minimal padding; and c) are not durable. For example, you won't catch me dead paying a premium price for a shoe made of fabric. One stub of the toe and the shoes are ruined.
ReplyDeleteNow, what brands of shoe do I favor? I love me some Frye boots and shoes, some styles of Sofft (although the sizing is all over the place), Coach, and the Clarks family of brands. All of these are far superior to any J. Crew shoe or boot I've ever tried, and that has been a LOT (all of which have been returned).
Double, jcrew is a company, it is merely a shell, a store front, a name, a brand.
ReplyDeleteWebb and Lyons are the designers. Designers design, produce and put forth a product.
From what I understand, they've both been promoted in the past few years as the company has developed itself, this gives them more authority to drive the direction of the brand.
I'm sorry if this is factual information.
We don't have to like the same things or have the same opinions to coexist peacefully.
Double,
ReplyDeleteBeing that they're strong willed and driven ladies, I admire them. I'm sure they're lovely people. I'm sure you're a lovely person.
However, the shoes are not so lovely, which is what we're discussing here.
I adore J. Crew Collection shoes that are all leather inside and out. I wear my Lacey ballet flats and the like a lot and they are very comfy. (I do have narrow feet, so take my opinion with a grain of salt if you must.) I also only ever buy Collection shoes at a lower sale price...their original prices are way way too rich for me.
ReplyDeleteThe miller moto boots I bought (short, flat version) are so cool and are very comfy as well.
I should get a commission back from J. Crew on their rubber flip-flops I own so many.
But...I have had trouble with some (not all) of their sandals...things like straps breaking loose, bits of bobs glued down improperly, and very scary incidences with extremely slippery soles (more than a few times have I slid on a waxed floor in my J. Crew sandals).
Their non-Collection ballet flats are beautiful, but take a lot of time to wear in as they are not nearly as foot-friendly right away.
I love the quorra shoes this season...very pretty.
christy, i agree with you. But from your previous comments, you're putting all the blame on one person. The topic was about a fun behind the scenes video about shoes and it turns into an attack on ms. webb. Having met them both, i find it sad. They're both ladies of class, strong convictions and great taste. And from my view point, very close and in step as alexis pointed out. i wish everyone here had a chance to meet them. it has always been a pleasure.
ReplyDeletei hate to see either of them or jcrew getting raked over the coals.
i personally think j crew looks like its going in the right direction.
Double,
ReplyDeleteThanks- I think as the head designer, it's got to be tough. If the styles are viewed as successful, then they get the credit. I'm sure they have a massive team behind them that is equally responsible for the styling. But I'm also sure that Webb/Lyons have the final say. Hey, you don't get paid the big bucks without having to take the good and the bad! :)
loved the video and love both jenna and marissa! Thanks for sharing the video.
ReplyDeletei own a lot of jcrew shoes from this holiday and they're all really comfortable. they have come a long way.
I enjoyed the video clip but couldn't help but think JC could have focused more on actually bring quality back in all levels.
ReplyDeleteAlso a lot of the sandals have short straps and are quite narrow. Maybe they are catered towards skinny thin models but hey not all of us have that kind of feet.
JC can claim their shoes as being "Made In Italy" but I've received several pairs of shoes with glue oozing out in the sides, soles coming apart after only few wears and seriously doubt the fact that they were manufactured in Italy.
That said, I would never pay premium price for JC shoes.
I find the video very interesting. Clearly the designers have a passion for what they do.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sold on the whole "made in Italy" schtick. Guess I've been around long enough to know that there's "made in italy", and then there's "MADE IN ITALY".
I remember years ago, when Benetton came to our shores, everyone went gaga over their "Made in Italy" sweaters. Then an aunt of mine who frequents Europe for work pointed out to me that Benetton is the Gap of Italy. Hmmm.
So, having read a lot of reviews here about JC's shoes and seen a few pairs with my own eyes in B&M's, I'd say, for my money, I'd rather get my shoes from department stores, the mall, or shoe shops (Hello Gravity Pope!).
Just my 2c.
econobelle, I have to agree with you. I miss the more reasonable styles of shoes. I have so many pairs of shoes from 2008/2009 but none of the current ones except the camden leather brogues which are pretty timeless. Penelopes, Juliets (in four colors), etc... they are cute and will never go out of style. If they brought back the Juliets I would buy every color at full price... and I never buy anything at full price.
ReplyDeleteITA about the Lulus though. They are SO cute... but do not hold up. The leather stains so easily. I just have to baby them/never wear them when there is any threat of inclement weather. My flats in dark cloud are totally trashed.
What fun to travel to Italy to design shoes. I can only dream...
ReplyDeleteI like some of the J.Crew styles but not so much recently. I have the Lulus in two colors and mine have held up very well but they are only worn in the carpeted office so that may be part of it. Same for the Juliets and I love them in the cheetah print or whatever it was called, one of my all time favorite pair of cheap shoes. You still see both these styles on ebay and the Weekly Exchange so they are obviously design favorites.
I'll only buy J.Crew shoes now if they have leather linings and soles so it really limits the choices. I have the Camden brogues and the Langfords and the Campbell oxfords are on their way to me too. I don't mind fabric shoes if they are leather-lined and the fabric is sturdy. We'll see how the Campbells work out. I find synthetic linings and soles to be so uncomfortable and I don't waste my money on shoes I won't wear.
I'm a huge fan of Chie Mihara and once you get used to the silky smooth leather lining and incredible craftsmanship it is hard to lower your standards. They are not made in Italy though, they are made in Spain, but top notch and feel like a dream to wear. I get so many compliments wearing Chie's and people have actually asked me if they can buy them right off my feet. AS IF!! I've got the requisite Louboutins and Manolos for those dress up events when I pull out all the stops but Chie Mihara is so much more "me".
ClosetCrisis, don't get me started on Gravity Pope. I have the "preferred customer" discount card and my husband was mortified when we walked into the store and the staff all knew me by name. LOL
double - I have to agree with you. I liked their spring clothing better this time and that's to Ms. Webb credit (since she is the head). Also, I have seen pictures of her, and I like her style. About "blaming" her, what I meant is that, in the video, she is the one designing the shoes and then walking on them, quite pleased. It was like an ah-ha moment! I realized that she has taken the lead now. Just that, nothing personal.
ReplyDeletesilver_lining - Good article. Thanks for reposting.
ReplyDeleteEven though I sent it back, I thought the warm taupe leather Lindy was amazing. It reminded me very much of shoes from prior eras, like the 1930's ... the matte finish leather, pale color, and quality of construction. I only sent them back because they made my small feet look mummy-wrapped. My suede Gibson sandals in gray are a close second to the Lindy's, I did keep them and they're fantastic. I actually find the Gibson comfortable to walk in despite the high heel height. I love the substantial straight heels (I hate the conical heels!) and moderate platforms. These shoes do run small though, I'm ordering a 1/2 size larger than usual.
ReplyDeleteI want to add a note in defense of platforms ... they are great for someone like me who is short and plush-bodied with small feet. Platforms and thicker heels help to balance my feet with my body. Dainty platform-less shoes just do not work. I also appreciate platforms because they make tall heels much more comfortable, a 6.5 shoe with a 4" heel has a very steep pitch without a platform! I also like the look of a thin to moderate platform, but when it gets much thicker than 1/2" it starts to look stripper or junior high, depending on the top of the shoe. :) So J Crew, pleeeeease keep making some platforms!
ReplyDelete