Why J.Crew Hired A 4-Year-Old"Thanks!" to Katie, who shared the following as well:
By Stephanie Sporn
December 10, 2014
Though she be but little, Mayhem is fierce. The 4-year-old already has her own sartorial pseudonym, and now, she can add an unbelievably adorable Crewcuts collab to her resume.
We first met the budding Ohio fashion designer back in February when the world swooned over her handmade creations. Working primarily with paper, tissue, tape, and this holiday season, gift wrap and glittery garlands, Mayhem would slay a Project Runway unconventional-material challenge. With the help of her “assistant paper dress maker,” otherwise known as Mom, Mayhem was able to live out her stylish fantasies, whether it was remaking their versions of the red carpet’s most talked about gowns, or simply constructing original styles.
Between the mother-daughter duo’s blog, Instagram, and rave reviews from the press, J.Crew just happened to find its next collaborator. “When we met with Mayhem for the first time we were really curious to see how she would work and were amazed to watch this barely 4-year-old girl start meticulously folding the pleats on a skirt and placing stones very specifically and carefully on a top she had just fashioned around herself,” Jenny Cooper, head of Crewcuts design, said. “She has such an inventive and creative personality that really resonated with us.”
This spring, Fashion by Mayhem for Crewcuts will debut in a nine-piece capsule collection — not too shabby for someone who's yet to graduate elementary school — with items starting at $22.50. Jewels, pom-poms, and tassels give the clothing an appropriately whimsical feel that’s sure to win over her peers, just as they did Jenna Lyons. While it’s obvious that this crafty kid is having the time of her life, the goal is ultimately to inspire other young designers (and their DIY-pro parents) to take their visions to the next level, too. Click on to see a first peek at the lineup, and the mini visionary testing out her designs’ twirl capabilities. (Spoiler alert: They're impressive.)
... excited to announce our partnership with Fashion by Mayhem (http://www.fashionbymayhem.com/) launching this spring at Crewcuts, for J.Crew's youngest fans.First and foremost, the 4 year old is adorable! I remember reading about the mother/daughter blog awhile back and thought the mother was most creative. It will be interesting to see what they do for the Crewcuts line.
Mayhem became an internet sensation earlier this year after recreating red carpet looks from the Oscars and the Met Ball using construction paper and colorful tape from her home in Ohio. This 4 year old little girl and designer has created a 9 piece collection which will be available later this spring.
We are so amazed and inspired by her creativity, and we're thrilled to be bringing her designs to our crewcuts customers and hopefully inspiring them too! All of the items are under $100 (starting at at $22.50) and the whimsical collection includes clothing as well as shoes and accessories.
Jenny Cooper, Head of Crewcuts Design:
"When we met with Mayhem for the first time we were really curious to see how she would work and were amazed to watch this barely 4 year old girl start meticulously folding the pleats on a skirt and placing stones very specifically and carefully on a top she had just fashioned around herself. She has such an inventive and creative personality that really resonated with us. It was great to have a truly creative child be at the heart of the design process. "
What are your thoughts on this latest collaboration? Are you excited to see what pieces are put together for the collection?
Next up, J.Crew's collaboration with my cat. You will be amazed by this obese feline's ability to craft strategically placed hairballs with careful swirls of orange and white fur, chewed-up grass, and half-digested kibble. He loves to fashion nests of mangled toys and shredded paper towels. Oh, and because he has evidently been licking the Christmas ornaments, he actually poops glitter. It's great to have a truly creative pet collaborate on our design process.
ReplyDeleteOmg this is so funny! Perfect :D
DeleteMaybe Doodle can get in on the action?????
DeleteSo funny:)
DeleteAnd the sad part is that your cat could probably create a better collection than... never mind. I am already failing in my early New Year's resolution of not saying mean things :)
DeleteI believe your cat needs representation. I may be able to offer advice.
DeleteSee my blog for contact information.
Hilarious! Also, I think my baby has been licking some ornaments so now I know what I have to look forward too ;)
DeleteLOLOLOLOL
DeleteIt all sounds like a hit for the next high end JCrew Collection release. I mean, the hairball sweater's gotta be at least $950 tops..
DeleteShe's adorable, and creative and whatnot, but a collaboration? Okaaaay. At least it's for the crewcuts. Or maybe they need to use her for the women's side too, inject some of that inspiration and creativity to the dull pieces they have this season. :-D
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteI guess at this point, they need all the help they can get.....
ReplyDeleteI'm not interested in Crewcuts. She's cute, but J. Crew has really lost its way if this is what they're focused on. Fix the women's line, please!!
ReplyDeleteMy girls have grown up wearing Crewcuts, but have not been as interested recently (the camo sweatshirt emblazoned with a phrase embellished heart dampened their enthusiasm considerably). It should be noted that between the girls and boys lines there are over 1100 items in the sale section.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are a lot more interested in developing their own style, not copying that of a pre-schooler.
Am I a bad mother for not dreaming up brand names for each of my kids?
ReplyDeletecousy - We're behind, aren't we?! No brand name monikers, no Instagram accounts that we run, my kid isn't even eating kale. The list to catch up is long.
Delete(kicks rocks)
I am in the long-list catch-up line also...and my 2 are several years past 4!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRealistically could she be any worse than what they've got now? I refer you to the sale sections....
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteOT, posting a couple of new reviews on my blog
ReplyDeleteI just keep thinking if this collaboration sells out and never goes to sale, how embarrassing will that be to anyone on the women's design team. Because that certainly is not their claim to fame.
ReplyDeleteI've watched a number of soaps in my day. Y'know, soap operas. So. what if this is a passive aggressive tactic of Jenna's to expose how poorly the women's design team is failng?
ReplyDelete"So easy, a 4-yr old could do it."
Rooting for the kid!
Haha, I think you're right!
DeleteYou know what a dress looks like that a 4 yr old designed? Like a dress that a 4 yr old designed. My 9 and 12 yr old girls will not be interested.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why they don't just ask their customers what's wrong.
Looks like the sale section had a big update this morning, back to 1900 items in the women's section
ReplyDeleteI used to check every morning. Haven't done that since last winter. Last time I ordered from sale both of my items got canceled.
DeleteShe is adorable, but did jcrew also hire her to design for the adults? Because some of the recent women design certainly look it was meant and fitted for a 4 year old. Just saying.
ReplyDelete