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Branding: An Evolution

J.Crew's Spring Collection: Bright, Offbeat and Brilliant

Spring has sprung at J.Crew and, like usual, Jenna Lyons makes us want to shamelessly spend our entire savings on a new wardrobe. What starts out as a seemingly obvious repeat of September’s trends – i.e. neutral shades, tailored silhouettes and reinvented minimalism – quickly transforms into a collection of relaxed ensembles in bright colors that is both refreshing and intriguing.

Opening with a number of white, ivory and cream looks that quickly segue into bold oranges, yellows, blues and greens, J.Crew’s spring/summer 2011 collection is a refreshing take on next season’s trends. The silhouettes, ranging from a shorts-and-blazer combo to an elegant maxi dress topped with a belted trench, provide an interesting mix of unexpected ensembles appropriate for both work and play. Bringing a bit of her own aesthetic to the lineup, Lyons incorporates that unique style of über glam paired with everyday basics into her designs and ensures that the brand’s signature offbeat edge is felt in each look. And while we’ve seen the rumpled twill shorts and neutral toned utility wear many times before, a few stand-out pieces transform the collection into an impressive display of sartorial craftsmanship – the maxi blush colored skirt, satin yellow shorts with the ruffle at the hip, and the full sequined floor-length skirt particularly caught our eyes.

What has traditionally been a go-to for put-together style and buttoned-up conservatism has seemingly found its ideal niche in the quirky and even fanciful realm of today’s fashion landscape. The brand’s spring collection stays true to this eccentric aesthetic and offers an unmistakable display of the offbeat charm and disheveled nonchalance now synonymous with the J.Crew name.

Photo Credit: J.Crew

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Perfection.

Pretty and Youthful at Collette Dinnigan

Youthful purity seemed to be the running theme of Collette Dinnigan’s spring/summer 2011 collection. Skewing just this side of tween-set territory, Dinnigan presented a lineup of girlish frocks and cute silhouettes in spring-appropriate cottons and lace. Not only did her collection recall the carefree days of girlhood summers, it provided that bit of sartorial nonchalance so often coveted for warm weather wardrobes.

Eyelet dresses and hushed tones inundated the designer’s runway, epitomizing the theme of sprightly innocence. Daisy-print bloomers and lace skirts were interspersed with high-waisted sailor shorts and sheer button-down blouses. A few splashes of yellows and reds contrasted the abundance of virginal whites, while bits of black and navy brought an unexpected – and very slight – “cool” factor to the show. And while Dinnigan’s young muse seemed to be spending most of her time lolling by the sea or frolicking in the French countryside, an array of glittering dresses ensured a bit of glam necessary for those city soirées.

While nothing extremely groundbreaking was presented this season, Dinnigan gave the fashion world yet another reliable collection. Full of pretty pieces and playful silhouettes, the designer’s lineup provides just the right amount of energy to contrast the current focus on stringent minimalism, lest we begin to take ourselves too seriously.

Photo Credit: Marcus Tondo/ GoRunway.com

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