ELLE News Blog:Meet Jenna Lyons’ Nine Muses for J. Crew

ELLE News Blog:Meet Jenna Lyons’ Nine Muses for J. Crew
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More on my fixation, from the article:
"First Marc Jacobs, now J.Crew. For the brand’s spring collection, creative director Jenna Lyons enlisted real, albeit wildly chic, women to model the season’s offering of ruffle tops, leather bombers, floaty gowns, and crackled pencil skirts (Jacobs mixed non-models into his fall 2010 runway showduring New York fashion week). Last night in SoHo, Lyons and co. celebrated the nine “muse-worthy” women—interior designer Celerie Kemble, curator Naomi Beckwith, and author Amanda Brooks among them. Lyons explained that all of the women are “either friends of mine, or have become friends”. She met Beckwith, a curator at The Studio Museum of Harlem, through Thelma Golden. Another muse, stylist Dianna Lunt, was spotted by the J. Crew team on The Sartorialist. A little “cyber-stalking” ensued and, before long, Lunt was booked to model in the March catalogue. Of Lunt, Lyons admits to having a bit of a “girl crush.” Growing up, Lyons was first inspired by Isabella Rossellini’s style. “She represented smart beauty. Her look was my first introduction to uniform dressing—very chic and simple.” Just like J.Crew’s latest collection. Click here to read more about the muses,  and here to shop their looks."

—Violet Moon Gaynor 

Photo (left to right): Amanda Brooks, Jenna Lyons, and Celerie Kemble

J. Crew "Who's That Girl?" March 2010

I must admit that I am far more interested in the J. Crew "Muses" under cover as Who's That Girl? rather than the March 2010 pieces themselves.  The nine eclectic and "savvy" women are featured in this recent catalog and also profiled on the site under "Jenna's Picks".  I am not feeling wowed by anything and some of the pieces seemed to be slight variations from the previous, so am feeling a bit underwhelmed J. Crew.  This is the first I will say "happy reading" over "happy shopping"...

Jenna Lyons Picks: cookiemag.com 8/09 Article

Jenna Lyons Picks: cookiemag.com

I had not seen this article in cookiemag.com by Jane Sung (August 11th, 2009) on Jenna Lyons and her picks on style.  I love this one because I am always fascinated to see what other styling tips and designers a creative director such as Jenna Lyons most appreciates (outside of J. Crew of course!).

She looks absolutely fabulous in this picture (left) with her son Beckett (love the Louboutin wedges!) from the article.  This article shows those pieces she picks which give her an "easy elegance" with a hint of practicality.  Anyone with kids knows that we cannot always wear the high-end pieces we dream about with all the things going on in every day family life.

J. Crew's Gamine Jacket Paired with Target's Mossimo "Odell" Multi Floral Flats

I told you all I recently broke down and bought the J. Crew Ruffled Gamine Jacket in desert rose  and even though I reaped the recent 20% off its markdown, I am finding it harder and harder to justify the rate in which I buy jackets/blazers.  I will tell you that this jacket has impeccable detailing and is beautifully lined.  The color is gorgeous.  My instincts were pushing for black, but I really needed to stretch the palette.  It will definitely go for many seasons.  I kept thinking though, it would be great to get flats with this, but at $99.99 or even $69.99, I just couldn't do it for a "slipper-esque"-type shoe.  So, I went for "frugalista" off to Target and found these sweet little ballet flats which compliment this jacket perfectly!  They are called "Odell" from Mossimo and are Multi-floral.  They were $12.99 and have the sweetest little fabric print, just enough to pair with this jacket without stealing the show!  Who could beat the price, really.  All in all, I was happy with my "splurge" and "steal", now that is justification!

From vogue.com - "Previewing New York Fall 2010: Behind the Scenes Designer Mood Boards"

Thakoon Fall 2010 Mood Board (Photo Courtesy of Thakoon)

“Lots and lots of textures!” is all Thakoon will say.

I am obsessed of recent with the idea of mood or inspiration boards.  As I posted 2/13 with the Jenna Lyons article (appearing in Oprah Magazine, March 2010),  they are so neat with all the texture, color and design that can fuel an entire collection.  I recently viewed Vogue's presentation of some of the Fall 2010 collections and the designer's "mood boards".  I love the imagery.  Very fun and beautiful!  Check it out.

Jenna Lyons on New Fashion Trends-nymag.com Sponsored by American Express (click on fashion)

Click on Fashion

Happy Valentine's Day to All!

I love this idea...Tiny hands, big hearts.

Photo from crazedparent.org

Jenna Lyons in Oprah Magazine - March 2010 "Five Sure Things for Spring"

Jenna Lyons is featured in Oprah's March 2010 magazine under the article "Five Sure Things for Spring.  Lyons and other designers including Isaac Mizrahi talk about those pieces that are Spring's wearable trends.  Lyons says, "A rumpled jacket or a bit of messy hair makes you approachable.  Too polished and perfect can be intimidating", she says.

I am personally jumping for joy on that one!  Previewed are the "Utility Jacket" ...safari meets military in this classic that can anchor anything from jeans to a party dress.  Jenna goes on to say "Borrowed from the boys" is the mantra for Spring.  Pick up a copy - the spread is lovely (pages 168-169).  I love the inspiration board in the office on the right hand page of the spread -- am thinking I may need to do one. I love her style and I love J. Crew...(sorry my image quality is not so great as my scanner bit the dust).

I Think I'm In Love...Old & New

Is it possible to fall in love with a pair of shoes?  Sometimes I am completely enamored by the beauty of a shoe and we know

J. Crew has put out some lovelies.
Take an older love the  "Luciana" heels which I waited and waited for an eBay seller to post because I lost out waiting too long for sale markdowns.  Patience was my virtue as they now sit proudly on my shelf.  They are almost too pretty to wear!  And for the "new", I picked up a pair of the rosebud metallic capri sandals which were marked down from $78 to $49.99 at B&M.  I loved these and so will wait patiently for Spring/Summer to creep in.  These too are so lovely, almost a shame to wear!  That sounds terribly nutty, but some shoes just look like little works of art.  So I have professed my love for these shoes this VDay and hope you have found your shoe loves too!  Visit the B&M, some great sale additions and the new catalog is hitting stores on the 25th!

J. Crew Insiders - 20% off $175+...I Have No Self Control...

I caved.  Ended up purchasing the Ruffled gamine jacket, Frosted jacquard skirt in mint now NA and, another pair of broken-in boyfriend chinos! Oh my, the rationale was there even through I said I wouldn't.  At 20% off $175+ and my $25 gift card won through (Fablulous Florida Mommy) - I found much justification.

I could look and look and look and end up finding three items I can't live without.  How does this happen??  Will give myself a little credit. I stepped out with the mint skirt and gamine in desert rose...so I didn't go my safe black and black and gray and black.

Anyways -- the shipping kills me and other faithful fans...we must take a stand ladies!!

"Sun Grown" On a Winter's Day

Leave it to me to be shopping during a near blizzard, but inside Anthropologie, Spring is popping up everywhere.  So I couldn't resist...another jersey tank I need not, but this Sun Grown Tank (also noted by Effortless Anthropologie) is just what I needed to forget it is 20 degrees outside!  It has a very interesting and drapey cut at the hip.  It is adorned with roses in a "sparkling gold jersey" pretty enough under a jacket and when Spring finally comes - will be great alone on a warmer day.

Thank You Fabulous Florida Mommy!

I won, I won!  What a great surprise to my week.  Fabulous Florida Mommy conducted a giveaway for a $25 J. Crew gift card and I was selected.  Thank you and I will try to save it for more than a week!

I Love Elfa...

I live in a very old house and needless to say, there is virtually no closet space.  I have been hanging all my clothes on industrial racks so it was time to bite the bullet and create a closet space.  We ultimately went for the Elfa system at the Container Store.  We looked at having them custom made and also researched other closet design companies such as ClosetsByDesign and California Closets.  But I loved the flexibility of Elfa and the different things you can attach whether it be a gliding jewelry box or pull out shoe racks. You can see my before (above) and after (below).  It looks fabulous in our room.  It still has that open look as if you were in a loft, but everything is very streamlined now and amazingly organized...Elfa at CS is running 30% off both in system and install, but if you know or have someone that is handy - install it yourself.  It is super simple and with what we purchased, we saved about $700 in installation fees!I believe the sale ends in a week.  Happy storing....!
Above - one side of the wall with old shelving and canvas over top...dreadful.

And after...

Lindsay Phillips - Switchflops

Lindsay Phillips, the fabulous founder of Switchflops gives us girls an option on flops & flats by selling interchangeable straps with funky jewels.  She uses hook-and-loop fasteners for unlimited choices and the shoes are very comfy!  I highly recommend you check them out, especially if you feel you just never have enough looks in these little flats/slippers.  They are adorable.

J. Crew’s Love Letter to Lisbon - Free-Press-Release.com

J. Crew’s Love Letter to Lisbon - Free-Press-Release.com

(Free-Press-Release.com) February 1, 2010 --

J. Crew, the nationally recognized retailer of women's, men's and children's apparel, has made Portugal the theme of its new catalogue. In Passport to Portugal, Lisbon co-stars with the chique clothes that make J. Crew a name in fashion. Look for Lisbon in retail shops, catalogue and on-line. The new on-line catalogue features a guide to the city of Lisbon, from phrases, to the best cafes (A Brasileira), to pastry shops (Antiga Confeitaria de Belem), to guide to the locations they shot at. Not that Lisbon is a new background to the cameras. The city has played host to recent Nike commercial and car launches, not to mention major motion pictures such as A Lisbon Story, The Russia House and House of Spirits. The city with its photogenic neighborhoods, sweeping river visas and many monuments makes a great backdrop. J. Crew said this of it on the web: “Bold color mixed with romantic decay… intimate neighborhoods with narrow winding corridors… grand town squares boasting elaborate mosaic pavements… lively sidewalk cafés... Our team spent five days in this charming city of Lisbon and its outskirts capturing both the understated beauty of each setting and the easygoing elegance of every look.” J. Crew operates 243 retail stores, the J. Crew catalog business, jcrew.com, and 78 factory outlet stores.

I love that their catalog has a story and the scenery is amazing.  It makes the collection come to life.www.visitportugal.com

Vogue: The Master's of Fashion (Rodriguez, Overland, Lyons...) 9/30/08

I love this video though dated (9/08)...love that she (Jenna) claims a lip gloss obsession! Glad that I am I am not the only one that can pack 15 tubes in my purse at any given time! Amazing that she was profiled with the likes of Narciso Rodriguez who's clothing/perfume I adore. I am always interested to hear little tid bits of how or what inspires creatives.