Exclusive: J.Crew debuts two short films that tell the stories of how two of its iconic pieces are made
By Monique Loveless
J.Crew has hit the tube! YouTube, that is. In the brand’s first foray into film, we’re transported to Italy, where many of its It items are created.
For the ladies, “Shiny Ponies” lets us into the world of J.Crew’s Etta shoes. Featuring creative director Jenna Lyons, who owns an estimated 289 pairs of shoes, though she confesses she hasn’t worn all of them. The short film gives a behind the scene look at the design process, the factory in Pisa, Italy, and shows the importance of every step in creating each shoe. After all, you don’t have to be Carrie Bradshaw to appreciate this love letter to such covetable shoes.
For the gents, “Holy Jackets” gives an inside look into the family run fabric mill of Vitale Barberis Canonico in Biella, Italy, where the family has been making fabric since 1663! With such a long history it makes sense they would stay true to the old ideal that clothes are something to be cherished and made to last for years or even decades. J.Crew uses this fabric to make their men’s Ludlow suits. The film features many members of the family as they tell their tale and passion for making impeccable fabric. With such love and care put into their product they keep alive good tailoring and appreciation for good fabric.
