Jenna Lyons. Enough Said.

The more you read about J. Crew creative director, Jenna Lyons, the more you wish she was your best friend. Not just because she has an effortlessly put-together style, but because she's genuinely such an interesting person. She's been working for the company for over 20 years, starting from the bottom. She's seen the inner workings and transformation of J. Crew into the staple clothing brand we adore today. While flipping through an old Harper's Bazaar, we got to catch a glimpse into her old Brooklyn abode. It is no surprise that her home reflects the same style she dons - fresh, precise and with just the right amount of color.


Jenna is not only a huge decision maker for J.Crew, but also a mother. Her little boy Beckett was only one when the November 2007 issue of Bazaar came out. While her brownstone home was going through renovations, she and her husband lived in a studio. She recalls her time there, "I shared a bathroom down the hall with five other people. There is something really odd about being 37 years old and pregnant and standing in the hallway waiting in line for the bathroom. I was like, How did I get here?" But just take a glimpse at her home and you'll see that it was worth the wait!



Whether it's the purple pumps, or the yellow couch, I love Jenna's use of color. She doesn't overwhelm your senses with it, but the uses it to add to the natural elegance of her outfit, and her home.




Jenna's taste also seems compatible to our southern lifestyle. "My husband has a smoker . . . we literally have a smoker the size of a refrigerator, and he smokes meat like it’s nobody’s business. He makes a pulled pork that could make you cry, she said." Couldn't you imagine an intimate little bbq in this backyard?
A shot of the New York store - "Whatever I can't do in our house, we do in the J.Crew stores," she said. 


Jenna has revealed some great pairings J.Crew has for 2010 and shares why J. Crew joins forces with other companies. "It goes back to editing, and also appreciation of quality. The Red Wing boot—they do it well, they do it in America. Why try and re-create it? Some things are amazing the way they are. Alden shoes, Sperry Top-Siders. We love that you’re buying our Ludlow suit, but we want you to have the option of the best possible shoe out there. They come with tons of history and brand integrity that we might not be able to offer in shoes."
[1. Want Organic for Dumont bag, 2. Aigle Jumping boots, 3. Want Organic Mirabel bag. ]


Among the partnerships are Thomas Mason, Madewell, Sperry Top-Sider, Want Organic, Ray-Ban, Aigle, Essie, Globe Trotter and FentonFallon. You can see all the partnerships on the J. Crew website. What's your favorite? Here's mine...


Essie for J. Crew: California Coral, Punchy Pink, and Russian Roulette.

11 comments:

ashlina said...

love her. love this post jess. great photos.

Paloma {La Dolce Vita} said...

She is so amazing and inspiring! I adore Jenna's taste and most everything she does. Does anyone else she looks kind of like Gisele in the photo where she's seated with the white shirt and long skirt?

Great post, Jess!

Taj Acosta said...

Love the yellow sofa and the sitting room in white! Gorgeous!
Great post doll! xoxo

Polka Dots & Protein Bars said...

That wallpapers yellow and white striped ceiling in the nursery is just to die for!

The Redhead and her Pooch Lola said...

she is the 21st century fashion goddess!

a lovely being said...

This is the best post on Jenna Lyons that I've ever seen! Thank you for taking the time to put this together-- it totally made my day :)
XOXO fallon

Amanda said...

wonderful post! I adore her. Plus she's drop dead gorgeous. Ridiculous. Who knew people could be posh, beautiful and incredibly talented!?!

Grayson Saige said...

She does a truly amazing job with the 'Jcrew pairings'. Bringing well known classics to a company can never lead you wrong!

Scandinavian Chic said...

I've seen so many of those rooms before and loved them! Thanks for letting me know who they belonged to! :D

Alexandra Rae said...

Absolutely love this post! I just adore Jenna. She's one of my style icons I'd really love to meet. Wickedly stylish and talented, yet understated and humble.

Her name was Lola said...

Thanks for posting! P.S. Loving this amazing blog of yours. Cheers.