Party photography by Hannah Thomson.

All other photography by Bryan Derballa.

Be one of the first to shop the limited-edition CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund collections on May 21st by signing up for our pre-sale here. Then explore more of our CFDA Vogue/Fashion Fund partnership here.

Photography by Bryan Derballa

Check back here as we count down to our capsule launches on May 22nd for details
on how to pre-order the collections before they hit stores and online.

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Hometown…
I was born and raised in Malibu and live in Los Angeles.

What makes LA feel like home?
My family, my babies, my friends are here. I truly love Los Angeles.

My CFDA experience in 5 words or less…
Challenging, life-changing, inspiring, incredible.

If I weren’t designing jewelry I’d be…
I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Most treasured piece in my jewelry box…
That’s like picking a favorite when you have two kids! Between the pieces
from my grandmother, the jewelry from my dad and my husband, the
pieces I’ve made for Ruby (my daughter) and the charm necklaces she’s
made for me—I love them all. Each one has a special story.

Check back regularly for more on our CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund
partnership and explore the CFDA winners’ first visit
to the J.Crew offices here.

Places in New York that remind you of London…
Tea & Sympathy in Greenwich Village and walks through Gramercy Park.

First expensive pair of shoes you purchased…
A pair of black patent Manolo Blahniks. I saved up for them.

As a stylist and a shoe designer, how do you juggle both?
I try to be very, very organized and schedule as much as I can far in advance. 

Shoes aside, what’s your necessary vice?
Eating loads of potatoes.

Check back regularly for more on our CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund partnership,
and explore the CFDA winners’ first visit to the J.Crew offices here.

Hometown…
Currently I live in Malibu, California, but I grew up mostly in
Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Tell us about where the name The Elder Statesman comes from?
It’s in honor of my late brother, Paul Chait. He was known among friends as the
Mayor, so the name fit perfectly. “Elder statesman” is a colloquialism that refers
to someone who holds a high rank within society but is also generally revered
by all. That was my brother and that spirit transcends through the line.

What makes right now an exciting moment to be a designer working in fashion?
There is no status quo at the moment. There’s a certain openness
to people with a very strong viewpoint.

Describe your mood lately…
Optimistic.

Currently you’re working on…
Everything at once. It’s pretty wild what’s going on over here.

Check back regularly for more on our CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund partnership
and explore the CFDA winners’ first visit to the J.Crew offices here.

What makes a fashion editor most? Such is the topic of the forthcoming HBO
documentary In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye (it airs tonight, December 6th) and recently
published book of the same name.

The film profiles eight of the 120-year-old magazine’s legendary fashion editors,
including Grace Coddington, Polly Mellen, Camilla Nickerson and Tonne Goodman
and shows how these women (and several men) put together their boundary-pushing
photo shoots with legendary photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Irving Penn.

On Tuesday, Jenna attended a special screening of the documentary at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted by Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

“There are many special moments in Vogue that stick out in my mind,” says
Jenna. “The turning points, the supermodel age, the rise of American sportswear.
The iconic photos. This film delivers incredible memories as well as an intimate
look at the talented, funny and visionary women behind the magazine. Seeing it at
the Met with Anna, Tonne, Grace and Camilla was an incredible experience.”

The CFDA winners smile for the camera moments after
receiving their awards.

Last week the winners visited the J.Crew offices
to meet with Jenna and team.  

Grand-prize winner Greg Chait, known for his supersoft knitwear 
designs, reviews swatches of our custom-colored cashmere.