Yesterday, I read a tweet where someone wrote about J.Crew cutting jobs. I wasn’t sure if it was at the corporate or store level. The news has been confirmed as J.Crew just sent out a press release today.
In the press release, J.Crew is making many changes to cut corners and costs. The changes are expected to generate the company $40 million dollars in pre-tax savings. Looks like J.Crew is not faring too well in this economy.
So what is the company doing to ride out 2009? J.Crew will be:
- Reducing workforce by approximately 95 positions (including positions that are currently unfilled) primarily in the New York offices and support functions in the field and distribution centers. This represented an approximate 10% reduction in staffing for the departments included. The affected associates have been offered severance and related transition assistance.
- Suspending the 401(k) Plan Company matching contributions through the balance of 2009.
- Eliminating 2009 merit based wage increases for the entire workforce.
- Initiating other company-wide cost reduction programs to produce efficiencies in areas such as supply chain, store operations, real estate, catalog circulation, and other general savings in the New York offices.
And what did CEO, Mickey Drexler have to say about this?
“As we are all aware, we are operating in a very tough economic environment. This has required us to make some difficult decisions, which we do not take lightly, but feel are necessary to ensure we remain competitively positioned over the long term. However, we believe our financial flexibility, our team, and our focus on quality products and the customer will enable us to navigate these turbulent times.”
To see the J.Crew items Michelle Obama wore, please click the post, “Get Michelle Obama’s Vogue Look.”
This morning J.Crew updated its homepage to showcase the items that First Lady Michelle Obama recently wore when she was featured on the cover of Vogue. I posted about this in “Michelle Obama on Cover of Vogue March 2009.”
J.Crew writes, “Michelle Obama graces the pages of one of our favorite fashion magazines-dressed in J.Crew.”
The items that Michelle Obama wore are as follows and can be pre-ordered from the J.Crew Fall 2009 Collection by calling 1-800-261-7422.
- Cashmere shrunken cardigan, $178, Item 18248
- Rumpled satin cami, $78, Item 18891
- Blushed tweed pencil skirt, $178, Item 17446
This has been such an exciting time for J.Crew. Last year, Michelle Obama wore J.Crew on the Jay Leno Show. This year, the entire First Family sported J.Crew during all the Inaugural Festivities. And most recently, Robin Roberts wore J.Crew to the Oscars on Sunday Night. What next?
Posted on Feb 22, 2009 in
Behind the Scenes,
In the News 
On tonight’s Oscars Awards, J.Crew can be seen on the red carpet! And who is wearing J.Crew? Robin Roberts from Good Morning America wore the the Gracie Gown in Fresh Tangerine.
Below is the press release that J.Crew sent out. Also, click “Robin Dresses for a Night With the Academy” for an article that details Robin Roberts quest to find the perfect dress.
ABC’s Robin Roberts, to wear J.Crew As co-host of Official Oscars(R) Red Carpet Pre-Show
LOS ANGELES, Feb 22, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ — Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts will wear J.Crew to walk the Red Carpet and to co-host The Official Oscars Red Carpet Pre-Show tonight on ABC.
Suze Yalof Schwartz, Executive Fashion Editor-at-Large of Glamour magazine, introduced Roberts to J.Crew’s Creative Director, Jenna Lyons. Yalof Schwartz and Roberts met with Jenna and the J.Crew design team at their New York Headquarters to view J.Crew’s designs for the perfect Red Carpet look. The taped visit aired on Good Morning America on Wednesday, February 18th. Roberts encouraged America to weigh in to help her choose her Oscar gown. Ultimately, J.Crew was the favorite over two other high profile designers. As of today, over ten thousand GMA viewers had written in sharing their opinions.
Read more…
Posted on Feb 11, 2009 in
In the News To see the J.Crew items Michelle Obama wore, please click the post, “Get Michelle Obama’s Vogue Look.”
Michelle Obama in Jason Wu on Vogue Cover March 2009
It’s official!
Michelle Obama is on the cover of next month’s Vogue. On the cover, she is wearing a sleeveless sheath designed by Jason Wu, the same designer who made her dress for the Inaugural Ball. I posted an entry about her dress here, “Michelle Obama Wears Jason Wu at Inaugural Ball.”
I am so excited to see Michelle Obama on the cover of Vogue. She truly has become a style icon. I especially love that she is also wearing J.Crew in the one of the pictures.
Below, I have posted a short excerpt of the Vogue feature with Michelle Obama.
Leading Lady
by André Leon Talley
pictures by Annie Leibovitz
From envisioning a more inclusive White House to embracing fearless fashion, Michelle Obama is poised to become the most transformative First Lady in history.
“Do you see our new house?” Michelle Obama asks, walking to a corner window of the reception suite at the Hay-Adams and drawing back the white curtains. It is a wet, chilly Tuesday afternoon in Washington, D.C., two weeks before the Inauguration, and the Obamas have just moved into the hotel so their daughters can begin the new semester at Sidwell Friends. Through the window we can see armed security men in black walking around on the White House roof.
Click here to read the rest of the Vogue feature with Michelle Obama.
J.Crew salmon wool cardigan, top, and tweed skirt
Narciso Rodriguez Dress
Posted on Feb 10, 2009 in
In the News,
Jenna Lyons The New York Observer just posted a great article about J.Crew’s Creative Director, Jenna Lyons. This is a great piece and really shows how Jenna has influenced the brand.
It’s so funny to see this article because I was contacted by someone at the Observer yesterday. Here is the email below. I kindly wrote back to let them know I was not affiliated with J.Crew
Hi,
I am trying to get in touch with someone at the PR department. I have a request for photos of Jenna Lyons, Michelle Obama and any other celebs recently in J. Crew, and maybe some product shots. This will be feaured in our next issue. Would it be possible to get some press photos sent to me today?
Thanks
I love this quote about the toothpick jeans in the article.
|
“I work in an office where there are 20-year-old girls walking around, and they wear our toothpick jean; and I’m 40 years old, and I wear our toothpick jean; and my mom is 72, and she wears our toothpick jean,” [Jenna] said. |
Style Queen of The Age of Obama
by Meredith Bryan
Once a source for preppy basics, J. Crew is getting a kick in the pants from its creative director, Jenna Lyons (plus a P.R. boost from the first family)
Jenna Lyons, the creative director of J. Crew, was on the phone, discussing her Fashion Week plans. “I would love to go,” she said, her voice streaming buoyantly through the receiver. “Omigod, it would be so much fun.” She was hoping to squeeze the shows of Derek Lam (a friend from Parsons) and Chris Benz (a former J. Crew dress designer) into her schedule. But she had pressing matters to focus on: sketches for the 2009 holiday season, due that day; a Malibu store opening in March; and the company’s sudden heightened visibility after the Obama family J. Crewed their inaugural wardrobe, from the first lady’s green gloves to the president’s white tie to their daughters’ entire outfits.
“I would love to be Alber Elbaz,” Ms. Lyons said, invoking the designer of the high-end French label Lanvin, “but it’s not in the cards!”
At J. Crew these days, thanks in large measure to her influence, chalky pink T-shirts are festooned with girlish chiffon rosettes, and Loro Piano cashmere from Italy (on sale for $125) abuts friendly customer-service counters where brides-to-be pore over their attendants dresses in colors like spiced wine, espresso and tea rose. After a disappointing last quarter of 2008—partly because of the economy; partly because of a botched Web site upgrade that disrupted online orders and left the company with excess inventory—Ms. Lyons is greeting the coming year with optimism, rolling out a frilly spring collection in pale, makeup hues.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Posted on Jan 21, 2009 in
Behind the Scenes,
In the News 
It turns out that the entire First Family wore J.Crew yesterday. President Barack Obama wore a J.Crew satin bow tie to last night’s Inaugural Balls. J.Crew sent out the following press release revealing that his bow tie was also designed by J.Crew.
The bow tie was created especially for the new President and the exact bow tie is not currently available for sale.
OBAMA FURNISHES HIS TUXEDO WITH A J.CREW WHITE SATIN BOW TIE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — President Barack Obama chose to wear a J.Crew white satin bow tie with his classic tuxedo to all the Inaugural Balls last night. Barack joins his family, including Michelle, Malia and Sasha in his decision to wear custom pieces from our J.Crew collection for this historic day and celebration.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this historic event,” says Frank Muytjens, V.P. of Men’s Design. “The President’s decision to wear a J.Crew bow tie is an honor for everyone at J.Crew. He is such an icon.”
The bow tie was created specifically for Barack and was made from 100% Italian silk satin. The luxury of the silk gave it a fuller body and a sophisticated sheen. To ensure easy adjustments and to give the bow tie a streamlined look, a hook and bar system was added instead of a buttons. A J.Crew “COLLECTION” tag was also added for an extra custom touch. The exact bow tie Barack wore is not available for sale, but a similar style will be available for Fall 2009. Currently, J.Crew offers a black satin version online.
Satin bow tie, $52.00, Item 73692
