Jenna Lyons
Former President & Creative Director, J.Crew
The bespectacled designer gave J. Crew both mass appeal and a cult fashion following with her mixed prints and ‘geek chic’ aesthetic.
While president and executive creative director of J. Crew Jenna Lyons was widely recognised as the creative force behind the American retail chain’s phenomenal rise from floundering catalogue chain to one of the most coveted fashion brands in the US. Appointed to creative director in 2008, then president in 2010, Lyons oversaw the brands successful image overhaul in its stores, marketing campaigns and clothing designs. Championed by the likes of Michelle Obama and Anna Wintour , J. Crew also launched its first retail outlet in Britain in 2013.
An alumnus of Parsons New School of Design where she obtained a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts, Lyons undertook an internship at Donna Karen before joining J. Crew’s creative design team as a junior designer in 1990. In 2003, after a steady ascension to vice president of women’s design, Lyons, under the direction of newly appointed CEO Mickey Drexler , began seeking a new design direction for the floundering store, bringing in new styles and re-shaping the brands identity through collaborations with designers such as Prabul Garung and footwear brand Sperry Topsider. She stepped down from the J. Crew helm in April 2017, exiting after 26 years with the specialty retailer.
A style icon in her own right, Lyon’s is regularly featured in magazines such as Lucky, Glamour and InStyle and on street style blogs for her quirky androgynous aesthetic. In 2013, Lyons was also featured in Time magazines list of "100 Most Influential People."
Career History
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Op Ed | Does Anyone Care Who Designs J.Crew? The Answer Is Complicated
J.Crew has been burned by relying too heavily on a creative who courted fashion insiders. But then, it has also been burned by not having a creative who courted fashion insiders. Has the brand finally found a happy medium?
Op Ed | Does Anyone Care Who Designs J.Crew? The Answer Is Complicated
J.Crew has been burned by relying too heavily on a creative who courted fashion insiders. But then, it has also been burned by not having a creative who courted fashion insiders. Has the brand finally found a happy medium?
Can Tourist Traps Become Fashion Destinations?
Tishman Speyer is redeveloping Rockefeller Center to include posh restaurants and stores from small, buzzy fashion brands, hoping to draw more New Yorkers to the area.
Can Tourist Traps Become Fashion Destinations?
Tishman Speyer is redeveloping Rockefeller Center to include posh restaurants and stores from small, buzzy fashion brands, hoping to draw more New Yorkers to the area.
Can Shein Clean Up Its Image?
The Chinese fast fashion giant’s new design competition seems aimed at shifting opinion on a company whose labour and environmental records have become frequent targets for regulators and consumers.
Can Shein Clean Up Its Image?
The Chinese fast fashion giant’s new design competition seems aimed at shifting opinion on a company whose labour and environmental records have become frequent targets for regulators and consumers.
Asia's New Beauty Players Are Going Global
Following the rise of K-Beauty, J-Beauty and C-Beauty, a set of up-and-coming Asian skincare and make-up brands are taking over Instagram feeds and Sephora shelves.
Asia's New Beauty Players Are Going Global
Following the rise of K-Beauty, J-Beauty and C-Beauty, a set of up-and-coming Asian skincare and make-up brands are taking over Instagram feeds and Sephora shelves.
Chris Benz Exits J.Crew
The womenswear designer is leaving the challenged brand just as it emerges from bankruptcy protection.
Chris Benz Exits J.Crew
The womenswear designer is leaving the challenged brand just as it emerges from bankruptcy protection.
J.Crew Says Bankruptcy Is the Reset it Needs. But There Actually Has to Be a Reset.
Just because consumers love the brand doesn't mean they want to buy the clothes.
J.Crew Says Bankruptcy Is the Reset it Needs. But There Actually Has to Be a Reset.
Just because consumers love the brand doesn't mean they want to buy the clothes.
J.Crew Names Former Victoria's Secret Head Jan Singer CEO
The seasoned executive's appointment is the result of a search that took more than a year. J.Crew sales have plunged in recent years, and the brand is planning a spinoff of the more-successful Madewell.
J.Crew Names Former Victoria's Secret Head Jan Singer CEO
The seasoned executive's appointment is the result of a search that took more than a year. J.Crew sales have plunged in recent years, and the brand is planning a spinoff of the more-successful Madewell.
J.Crew Floats Potential Madewell IPO
The company also named an interim CEO from within the organisation.
J.Crew Floats Potential Madewell IPO
The company also named an interim CEO from within the organisation.
Why Representation at Fashion Week Shouldn't Be a Fad
A “millennial mindset” is taking hold across the luxury market — and across age groups and geographies — changing the purchasing habits of all generations of consumers.
Why Representation at Fashion Week Shouldn't Be a Fad
A “millennial mindset” is taking hold across the luxury market — and across age groups and geographies — changing the purchasing habits of all generations of consumers.
J.Crew Taps Chris Benz as Head of Women's Design
Benz started his career at the specialty retailer in 2005.
J.Crew Taps Chris Benz as Head of Women's Design
Benz started his career at the specialty retailer in 2005.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
