J.Crew Email: Love at first sight...

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, Desert Flower, HeidiG, Jordyn, & Ketan, who shared the following email from J.Crew.

The email reminds customers that wedding season is here. And nothing goes better with "I DO!" than a J.Crew wedding & parties dress. To shop online, click here.

Happy {bridal} shopping! :)

A Trip to J.Crew's Bridal Boutique

A big "thanks!" to Gem Twin who shared the following article about J.Crew's new Bridal Store in NYC over at Fashionista (click here to read the article in its entirety).

My Excellent J.Crew Wedding Store Adventure
By Lauren Sherman
June 25, 2010

...I thought it would still be smart to check out J.Crew’s new wedding boutique on Madison Ave. ...

...First, I was greeted by Kate M., my personal sales associate for the appointment. (She was accompanied by the lovely Candy.) These girls were amazing. They were so excited about everything, from the La Perla robes in the changing rooms to the array of sashes to the shoes. Their enthusiasm was infectious. But more on that later.

Tom Mora, who heads up the wedding design division at J.Crew, also popped by to walk me through the current collection. Tom’s been at J.Crew since 2001 and working on wedding since 2004, so he’s a wealth of knowledge. We talked a lot about which dresses are bestsellers (in reality, women have such different tastes that there isn’t one runaway hit); we also discussed garment construction, and fabric sourcing, which blew me away.

What surprised me, having only seen the dresses online, is just how special each one is. From the silk crepe Mimi t-shirt gown in a Champagne color to the Lucinda gown, a poly/cotton/silk ballgown with a hammered that almost resembles a seersucker, there’s a dress for every bride. (And with prices starting at something like $300 and capping off at under $4,000, these are good quality garments that most people can actually afford.)

Tom explained that, much like the J.Crew cashmere sourced from the same mills used by Loro Piana, the fabrics used on the wedding gowns are milled in Italy and France. And you can tell. I was besotted with the Sascha, a lightweight ivory silk taffeta number with a corseted bodice and structured sweetheart neckline, for this reason. The shape made me happy, but the fabric was just so luxurious, it made it even better.

...But onto accessories. The J.Crew bridal boutique has just about the most beautifully curated collection of accessories, lingerie and jewelry I’ve ever seen. The vintage pieces, mixed in with new edition Miriam Haskell, mixed in with the most perfect pair of satin platform pumps in the world–the Esme–made me incredibly happy. We also tried on several headpieces by local milliner Leah C., of which I also fell in love. Leah does everything from blushers to floral pins to headbands, so there’s something for every taste.

What are your thoughts on the article's take of the Wedding Boutique on Madison Avenue? Are you excited about its arrival? Do you think you will shop there? :)

Looks Inside J.Crew's Bridal Boutique {yey!}

I was so curious what the interior of the new Bridal Boutique looks like. Fortunately for us, we have several {beautiful} pictures that provide us a sneak peek of what's inside!

"Thanks!" to Anne who let us know about her article over at Aisle Dash (click here to view all the amazing photos). There is a great slide show with lots of interior shots. She also shares the following:

J.Crew Opens Bridal and Special Occasions Boutique
By Anne Chertoff
May 27, 2010

After the successful launch of their wedding and bridesmaid dress collection, J. Crew opened their first bridal salon in New York City. The French-inspired boutique offers every member of the wedding stylish and affordable fashions and accessories.

In addition to wedding dresses ($250-2500) and bridal accessories (shoes, bags, jewelry, headpieces and veils), bridesmaids, mothers and guests are sure to find fashionable designs that they are sure to wear again and again.

The 769 collection of party attire and accessories is exclusive to this Madison Avenue occasion (769 Madison Avenue at 66th Street), while the wedding and bridesmaid dresses can also be purchased at jcrew.com's wedding site.

Also, "thanks!" to Lauren from NBC"s New York The Thread, who let us know about their photo slide show (click here to view all the images). Also, the following is shared:

• The boutique itself is situated just blocks from heavy-hitter rivals like Vera Wang, and the J.Crew store stacks up: The windows are luxuriously dressed, and there's a security guard beyond the heavy door.
• The bridal windows feature J.Crew's classic madcap styling.
• Inside, a reception area awaits for those looking to make appointments. The top floor is devoted to "occasion" ready-to-wear with higher price points than what J.Crew usually offers.
• We found tons of spectacular pieces exclusive to J.Crew's new wedding store, like the sequin pants that Jenna wore on her Oprah debut. (Only four in production, so these will llkely sell out today!)
• Similar exclusives include a fabulous ostrich feather cocktail skirt (cleverly paired with a plaid button-down) that seems inspired by the spring collections of high-end designers like Jason Wu.
• The tabletop reveals a lot of the label's collaborations -- working with Essie to sell the perfect pale pink nail polish and Wolford on the just-right tights.
• Downstairs offers a by appointment-only shopping experience where the entire catalogue of J.Crew's offerings are on display.
• In classic J.Crew fashion, one unconventional bridal style features a long white silk skirt and a furry pink vest.
• The bridal dresses are a mix of current pieces and favorites that have been brought back. A key point is that brides won't actually purchase the dress here -- they'll try on and then make purchases online (either through the store or from the comfort of their own couches).

Super exciting stuff! I loved both slide-shows of the new Bridal Boutique. Everything is so beautifully laid out. Doesn't it make you want to buy everything in sight! Well, maybe not the fur vest! ;)

How interesting is it that there is only 4 of those Sequin Pants (that Jenna Lyons wore on Oprah)?!? I wonder who the other 3 buyers are going to be? (Hint: it's not me!)

The only pause I had was reading that customers cannot actually buy the dresses at the Bridal Boutique. You can look & even try on. But if you want to actually buy it, you have to do it online. Yeah, that seems pretty weird at first. (I thought that would be one of the perks of going to the Bridal Boutique in the first place!) But then I remember that most bridal stores only let you try on dresses, since they make you order their dresses too. ;)

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Bridal Boutique now that you have seen what it looks like & what it has to offer? Do you like those famous Sequin Pants that Jenna loves so much? :)

J.Crew's Bridal Boutique is Now Open for Business!

We have been waiting for this for some time now (refer to May 14th "J.Crew Email: Our very own wedding announcement" post and April 8th "J.Crew's First Wedding Boutique is Coming Soon!" post). Now the time has arrived... It's officially open: J.Crew's first stand alone Bridal Boutique in NYC!

J.Crew also shared the video above with the following note:

Our big day is here! Our very first bridal boutique is now open at 769 Madison Avenue at 66th Street, New York City. Watch our behind-the-scenes video of a wedding paradise in the making.

I love these behind-the-scenes looks. Everything looks so pretty! There is also an article over at the Huffington Post (click here) that sheds some light on what to expect:

J.Crew Opens First Bridal Store
By Huffington Post
May 27, 2010

J.Crew has opened the doors to its first bridal store, WWD reports. Located at 769 Madison Avenue in Manhattan, the French-style salon combines wedding garb with the J.Crew sensibility. Dresses run from $229 up to $3,500, but that's not all that shoppers will find on the racks.

Bearing in mind the before and after parties, rehearsal dinners and the honeymoon night, there are separate areas on the first floor for cashmere sweaters, handbags, shoes, jewelry, lingerie and a new 769 Collection of cocktail and evening dresses, tuxedo jackets and harem pants. Much of the assortment, J.Crew executives boast, incorporates fabrics from some of the finest Italian mills, such as Clerici Tessuto and Canepa, yet without the expected sticker shock. There's also makeup, perfume and headpieces.

J.Crew Group president Tracy Gardner summed things up, saying, "We're not fancy here. We're still J. Crew, but it's an elevated experience."

The location for the new store is:

769 Madison Avenue
(at 66th Street)
New York, NY 10065

What are your thoughts on the Wedding Boutique on Madison Avenue? Are you excited about its arrival? Do you think you will shop there? :)

Wedding Fashion from J.Crew (courtesy of Ms. Martha Stewart!)

J.Crew's Head of Wedding Design Tom Mora was recently on the Martha Stewart show to show off their latest looks for the wedding party. To watch the video, click HERE. The following information was also shared:

Whether you're dressing for a wedding that's black-tie or beachside, there's a wide selection of attire perfect for any occasion. Tom Mora, head of wedding design at J.Crew, presents some of the latest looks for guests and members of the bridal party.

Weddings editorial director Darcy Miller is hosting a party June 2 to celebrate the opening of J.Crew Bridal in New York City. For more information, visit jcrew.com.

The first look below is called "City Hall" and consists of: Beau silk gazar gown, Leah C. Couture Millinery veil, Halsey crystal strappy sandals; Italian wool Ludlow two-button suit, Alden shoes . The second one is the "Black-Tie Couple" look and features: Silk taffeta Sascha gown; Ludlow two-button tuxedo jacket and pants, Alden shoes.
The second set features the "Black-Tie Guests" look consisting of: Left: Two-piece pailette dress, long-haired shearling vest (both part of the 769 Collection); right: Hand-sewn sequin pants, Ludlow tuxedo blazer, tuxedo shirt. There is also the "Mother and Ring Bearer" look featuring: Washed crepe bias skirt, solid stretch shirt; boys Italian wool tuxedo jacket and pants, gingham tie.
I honestly love all the looks ...except for the "Black Tie Guests". Although those outfits would rock for some occasions (I am thinking any scene from SJP's Sex in the City episode), I do not think they would work for a wedding. If I showed up to a wedding with J.Crew's Shearling Vest or J.Crew's Sequin Pants (for $650!!!), I am pretty sure I would be laughed at or worse, asked to leave for being a distraction. ;)

What are your thoughts on the video? Do you like the looks put together? :)

J.Crew Sweepstakes: Say I do to J.Crew...

"Thanks!" to Cortney who let us know that J.Crew is running a new sweepstakes in partnership with Martha Stewart.

The following are some details to this amazing sweepstakes:

Say "I Do" to J.Crew...
Martha Stewart Weddings & J.Crew... a match made in style heaven.

We've teamed up with perennially chic J.Crew to offer every bride-to-be's fantasy wedding wardrobe trip. Enter below for a chance to win a weekend trip for two to NYC that includes:

-An exclusive wedding planning consultation with our Editorial Director Darcy Miller
-A private shopping trip to the new Madison Avenue J.Crew Bridal Boutique with one of their wedding specialists
-$2,500 to spend on your dream dress at J.Crew

All you have to do to enter is click on the link provided HERE. Good luck! :)

The sweepstakes ends June 30, 2010. Some other fine print includes: "Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older." For more on the official rules, click here.

J.Crew Email: Our very own wedding announcement

"Thanks!" to KerryNYC, who shared with us the latest email that J.Crew sent yesterday.

As mentioned in the April 8th "J.Crew's First Wedding Boutique is Coming Soon!" post, J.Crew is opening its very first wedding boutique. The store will open its doors on Madison Avenue in NYC on May 27th. The email is a reminder that the "big day" is coming soon!

The location for the new store is:

769 Madison Avenue
(at 66th Street)
New York, NY 10065

What are your thoughts on the Wedding Boutique on Madison Avenue? Are you excited about its arrival? Do you think you will shop there? :)

J.Crew's First Wedding Boutique is Coming Soon!

A big "thanks!" to Joyce, who not only shared the following news, but also scanned the images for us to view!

Joyce received the following card (shown below, with an up-close view above) announcing J.Crew's very first wedding boutique. The store will open its doors on Madison Avenue in NYC on May 27th. That street is already home to J.Crew's Collection Store (1035 Madison Avenue) and Crewcuts Store (1190 Madison Avenue).

In the February 23rd "J.Crew In The News" post, the following tidbit (from an interview with J.Crew's Jenna Lyons) was shared:

You mentioned interiors, and I know you are deeply involved in store design, too.
Totally. We are working on a wedding atelier uptown; we've been designing the store for the past few years. I'm going to Paris in a few weeks hoping to score some vintage picture frames. Whatever I can't do in our house, we do in the J.Crew stores (she laughs). Fashion and interiors are so connected— textiles, mixing the old and the new.

The location for the new store is:

769 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065

I think it is a great idea to have a dedicated store for wedding & parties. I remember going to J.Crew's Rockefeller store (in NYC) and seeing a wedding party trying on different gowns & bridesmaids dresses. Not only was the store too crowded to have the party take over the entire changing section on the first floor, they didn't have that many options to try on. (Only one or two dresses for the bride & bridesmaids were available for them to try on.) This will make it much easier for parties to shop for their special day. :)

On a related note, "thanks!" to Kate who let us know that J.Crew provided Brides.com (click here) a sneak peek at an upcoming wedding dress design. The following was shared as well:

Runway Sneak Peek
By Brides.com
April 5, 2010

This dress is J.Crew's modern take on ruffles and classic French lace. "The streamlined bodice with it's racer back is the perfect contrast to the romantic and dramatic, asymmetrical ruffled skirt," says the designer who was inspired by classic architecture, Rene Gruau illustrations, and celebrities like Carey Mulligan, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Dree Hemingway. Expect to see more French lace, duchess, washed silk crepe, French tulle, and satin-backed crepe throughout the collection.

What are your thoughts on the Wedding Boutique on Madison Avenue? Are you excited about its arrival? Do you think you will shop there? Do you like the latest ruffle wedding dress from the sneak peek? :)

J.Crew Email: Truly. Madly. Chicly.

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Desert Flower & Marietta, who shared with us an email from J.Crew this morning.

The email features their Wedding & Parties Collection, which is described as "couture craftsmanship" and "icing-on-the-cake accessories and always-there-for you wedding specialists". To view the Spring 2010 Preview for Wedding & Parties, click here.

Happy {wedding & parties} shopping!