J.Crew has been doing quite well of late - pretty much since Mickey Drexler jumped in the driver's seat. Not across the board, but certainly much better than other mass retailers (granted - at 35 years of age - I'm squarely in their target demographic, but I think most would agree.)
Recently in the Soho store, they dedicated one wall of the men's department to black and white. As in, toss out anything you ever owned with color and go completely monochromatic. If the Gap tried this they'd most certainly fail, but Crew nailed so many of the details, particularly the type of black they were using. A faded, vintage black that somehow - through subtly grinded edges and the right patination - felt fresh and summery. Flat front shorts (check), jean-cut khakis, vintage v-neck tees, tailored polos - all in faded black and white and perhaps some gray thrown in for good measure. Run don't walk.
Tony, you can't actually be saying that black is the new black, can you?
If so, I am inclined to commit ritual suicide at the next Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Posted by: Sheepy | July 22, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Mmmm-hmm. I dig as well.
Let's see how well Mickey operates under pressure, though. The man is not known for surviving in bad market conditions. He'll do well with the basics (like this new Crew line), then they'll give him the rope to expand, and he'll end up hanging himself with it, just like he did at Gap.
God willing, he won't drag a preppie-chic brand like J.Crew into the ground with him.
Posted by: Stephen J. Xanthos | July 22, 2008 at 02:32 PM
"Recently in the Soho store, they dedicated one wall of the men's department to black and white."
*cough* ClubMonaco *cough*
Posted by: Randy | July 22, 2008 at 11:20 PM
On-seam pockets are the pleats of the new Millenium.
Posted by: henry | July 24, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I am the new and proud owner of faded black nubuck flip-flops...
and I didn't even need to drink the GENEX Kool-Aid, bought them all alone by myself. This means nothing to anyone but Tony is needy and thinks I don't read the blog anymore as I don't comment that much anymore. SEE I STILL READ THE DAMN THING T-RIZZLE!!!
Posted by: Billydaley | July 24, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Sounds like a recycled idea. Right Randy?
Posted by: Steve C. | July 25, 2008 at 12:23 AM