August 2011
24 posts
4 tags
D.I.Y. Cute
just in time for back-to-school, one of our stylists shares her tips on personalizing Jack Purcells® for little ones (we’re jumping on the bandwagon too)
Get inspired:
The shoes above were inspired by Gauguin’s paintings in Tahiti and ikat textiles from Uzbekistan. Check out the V&A museum for more ideas. Design:
Keep it simple! The shoes have lots of nooks and crannies, and the rough...
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The Perfect Outfit—in Three Easy Pieces
we’re playing favorites with this look
(concocted by our superstylist Gayle, of course…)
1. The cashmere boyfriend cardigan
2. The sash skirt
3. Our Biella patent loafers
(The best extras? A smattering of peekaboo stripes and a cross-body saddle bag.)
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Pajama Party
why your favorite pj’s should get to see the light of day
There’s something special about a crisp menswear-inspired cotton shirt. It’s perfect tucked into jeans, looks chic with slouchy trousers and it’s even better if it just so happens to have a matching companion—a pair of pajama pants.
This double-duty styling has been seen in editorials and on staffers at 770 who can’t get enough of...
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Farm Fresh
organic obsession: California’s Frog Hollow Farm
We first learned about Frog Hollow from our always-in-the-know cohorts over at Partners & Spade (they shot one of their pear varieties for a holiday gift campaign), and we’ve been obsessed ever since. The 133-acre farm has been practicing organic growing, without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, under Farmer Al’s direction...
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Off the Wall
Ruth, our prop and window dresser extraordinaire, shares a look at our new installation by artist Christopher Bettig
Recently our Rockefeller Center store went though a much-needed face-lift. We were faced with what to do with the massive two-story-high wall that previously had a pair of sconces smack-dab in the middle. Sconces removed, we now had a blank slate and the opportunity to create...
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Sneak Peek
here’s a look at the inspiration journal behind our new fall nail polishes by FACE Stockholm®. our nails have never been happier—or brighter.
The mother-daughter duo behind FACE Stockholm launched their eponymous cosmetics line because they couldn’t find the colors they wanted anywhere else.
Here’s a look at our inspiration journal: we drew inspiration from everything—matching colors of...
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Russian State of Mind
ever since we shot our September catalog in Saint Petersburg, we’ve been obsessed with any and all things Russian
1. Dr. Zhivago; Number one on our Netflix queue (worth it for the outfits alone).
2. Old-world charm—antique brass candlesticks.
3. Painting by Russian master Kazimir Malevich.
4. Smoky perfume inspired by Russian tea (with a “hint of shelves full of old books”).
5. The...
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Welcome, Madewell
so glad you joined the party
Check out all of Madewell’s musings at madewell.tumblr.com
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Setting the Scene
our visual viceroy, Ashley, shares her scouting snaps of the Saint Petersburg backdrops that made it into the catalog
Because so many things factor into getting the picture right—
timing the light, choosing angles, editing backgrounds—our scouting
days are crucial. In Russia, our planning ended up translating literally. Our scouting snapshots matched the final catalog edit almost exactly....
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Dispatch from Russia
Jack, our men’s stylist, shows us his on-set snaps taken while shooting our September catalog in Saint Petersburg.
1. “We had to break for foot traffic while we were doing this shot on the bridge.”
2. “Our local security team.”
3. “Arthur, our model, and a soviet-era hatchback, shortly after his arrival in Russia.”
4. “Back to the location van for a wardrobe change.” check out...
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Behind the Curtain
a peek at our September women’s shoot at the Yakobson dance studio in Saint Petersburg, Russia, featuring local ballerinas
We cast the lovely, lithe ballerinas from the Yakobson and Mariinksy schools through a local in-the-know Saint Petersburg production coordinator. The Mariinsky ballet school is known for helping hone the skills of such mega-talents as Anna Pavlova and Mikhail...
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Lulu Frost for J.Crew
colorful Art Deco bracelets for a modern-day Daisy Buchanan…
These bright, bold bangles are so
fun to stack—one is just not enough.
–Marissa, head of women’s design
Shop them exclusively at jcrew.com.
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(post by John Ciombor & John Fei)
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Oh, Canada
The team from our new Yorkdale store (opening in Toronto, ON, this week!) dishes on their favorite spots in our new hometown.
Toronto for me changes depending on the season. Whether it’s walking in Via Italia (where I grew up) and enjoying the best gelato at La Paloma during the summer or ice-skating and drinking hot chocolate at Old City Hall in winter. —Lucie
My favorite spot in...
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Behind the Scenes
here’s a first look at the making of one of our favorite new collaborations— Fratelli Rossetti S.p.A. “New Brera” loafer
Only a very specialized artisan is able to hand stitch the vamp of the shoe. The tassel is also handmade, out of one long strip of leather. Above, the upper of the shoe is being placed on the last.
After the shoe is constructed, it undergoes an unconventional...
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A Sneak Peek at Fall’s Perfect Uniform
sent from Jack, our men’s stylist, while on set at our November shoot
My favorite everyday at-work look for fall—a black cashmere crewneck, dark rinse 484s and a pair of brown leather penny loafers.
(post by Jack O’Connor)
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Pair it, Wear it
We heart our Ruthie shirtdress. The secret ingredient of our latest do-it-all, ’50s-inspired frock? A nipped waist and a pleated A-line skirt for a flattering-on-everyone fit.
PAIR IT:
with a bright vintage belt (or an animal print accessory if you’re feeling feisty). WEAR IT:
to work or to play (this dress is as versatile and feminine as it gets).
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Blue Hill at Stone Barns
inside one of our staffer’s recent trips to dining heaven
Last week, my husband and I visited Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York. The entire experience was impeccable—from the umbrella we were given to use when we arrived (it was raining) to the service and, of course, the beautiful grounds. This place has the art of gourmet dining down to a science. There is no menu at...
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770 Shoe Files
At J.Crew, we’re completely shoe obsessed. That’s why we’re excited to share a peek at the well-heeled staffers at 770. From vintage boots to comfy strappy sandals, you’ll be inspired to put your best foot forward. Stay tuned for a weekly dish on all things foot worthy!
Name: Tracy R., our women’s In Good Company guru What kind of shoes are you wearing?
Fratelli Rossetti for J.Crew New...
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Pair it, Wear it
a henley reminder: pick up a rugby-stripe tee in our famous vintage cotton and wear it straight into fall. check back for a new pick next week.
PAIR IT:
with denim cut offs and a tan. WEAR IT:
with the sleeves rolled up on a summer’s-last-hurrah road trip.
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Introducing Rigby
from the sketchbook of our illustrator and accessory designer extraordinaire, Frances
Rigby is our take on ’50s-era vintage bags (a time when women in the workforce was a novel concept). It’s professional and wear-to-work ready but simultaneously exudes a casual air. We love the mix of slouchy and serious.
See Frances’s sketch come to life in jcrew.com’s handbag shop.
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Where the wild things are...
A sneak peek at one of our style tips on how to
pair animal print for a look that’s spot-on.
Check out all our style tips tomorrow on jcrew.com.
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You asked for it...
in response to questions on our Facebook page, we get up close and purse-onal with our handbag designer, Frances
Don’t dismiss the classics…I thought the classics
were outdated or already done, but over time
I realized that like clichés, they exist for
a reason: They make a whole lot of sense.
What’s a typical day like for you?
In accessories, we spend a lot of time...
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770 Shoe Files
At J.Crew, we’re completely shoe obsessed. That’s why we’re excited to share a peek at the well-heeled staffers at 770. From vintage boots to comfy strappy sandals, you’ll be inspired to put your best foot forward. Stay tuned for a weekly dish on all things foot worthy!
Name: Kimberly N., our buyer extraordinaire What kind of shoes are you wearing?
Our new Weatherby rain boots—they are the...
