J.Crew's new accessories space in the Price St. boutique in NYC
On the heels of Banana Republic's new accessories flagship that debuted in San Francisco last month, J.Crew launched a slightly different version in SoHo last week. The 500 square foot space—attached to the J.Crew boutique at 99 Prince St.—showcases an wide array of the brand's signature accessories, from hairclips for under $10 to leather goods at around $300. Thought the accessories boutique is technically attached to the retail site, it does feature separate doors, windows, and overall decor. The overall look is modern, with washed herringbone oak floors and vitrines inset in the walls, but accented with vintage elements like brass jewelry cases and a shabby chic-looking chandelier.
Millard “Mickey” Drexler, J. Crew Group’s chairman and chief executive predicted the clientele for the new accessories boutique as, "The same customers shopping the designer stores. They’re looking to spend less for products with style and of similar quality." Drexler also noted, “The accessories can go with anyone’s apparel, but frankly we would rather have women wear it with our apparel.”
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Best selling items in the collection include minaudières and heels with printed fabric.
The format of the accessories space is a spinoff the originally successful "shoe salon" in the J.Crew Collections store at 1035 Madison Avenue. Shoes seem to be a high selling point for the brand, since so far the most popular items in the SoHo space are strappy snakeskin and suede sandals priced at $298 and leather ballet flats with neon trim at $148. Other bestselling items include chandelier-style earrings at $75, and antique bracelets with grosgrain bows at $95. According to Drexler, the layout of the separate-but-attached space works best for the J.Crew brand. "It makes the most sense for accessories. It shows off the merchandise more effectively than other stores. Usually accessories, by virtue of [requiring] little space, should be more productive than other categories.” Reps for the company are hoping to use the formula of the SoHo space for other stores in the future, rather than creating actual free standing boutiques.
Article and Photo Source: WWD
-Alia Rajput
