To know me, is to know I have a soft spot in my heart the size of a large retail space for J.Crew. (R.I.P. to the space at Oakbrook Mall, which was once the best J.Crew store in the Chicagoland area and from which my sister face-timed me when they were closing; we legit cried on the phone with the store manager who had been there for 10 years and was so sad to see it close… it is now a Gucci store.) So it thrills me to share that Lé CREW has a new men’s creative director with this fall season being his debut collection.
Brendon Babenzien, originally from New York City-based environmentally-conscious menswear brand Noah and previously design director at Supreme for 15 years, has a new vision for J.Crew. Babenzien wants to recenter the brand’s classic essentials from the 80s and 90s, while incorporating more relaxed, everyday modern fits in hopes of bridging the gap between the older and younger customers. In a press statement, he said, “J.Crew has always been a part of my life—quietly, subtly in the background, slowly becoming the platform from which to build my personal style… I’ve been a lifelong J.Crew customer and my personal style is rooted in American culture, which is forever evolving.”
Can I get an Amen?!
J.Crew entered bankruptcy protection in May of 2020 and though the economic downturn exacerbated the company’s struggles, it had been vulnerable since 2011 when private equity-imposed debt loads and financial engineering stripped the retailer of its most profitable assets and fiddled with product quality. So when J.Crew emerged just a few months later reorganized under new ownership and with a new CEO, Libby Wadle, it was balm to my soul. Wadle and Babenzien are thankfully focused on raising the quality of J.Crew’s menswear than its prices. Babenzien is also working on some brand collaborations as well, particularly in outerwear and footwear. With his background in brand partnerships, expect to see music, film, and even literary collaborations.
A few of my standouts are below, but view and shop the full Fall 2022 lookbook.
Hard to choose just a few favorites, but here we go –
/ 1 / Wallace & Barnes Plaid Blazer in Scottish Wool ($498)
/ 2 / Harrington Jacket in Corduroy with Varsity Trim ($248)
/ 3 / Paisley Wool Tie ($90)
/ 4 / Cashmere Cable-Knit Sweater ($228)
