Last night, I was lucky enough to attend the media launch of the first J.Crew store in Canada. The event, which took place at Yorkdale Shopping Centre was packed to the brim with Toronto’s best dressed fashion crowd. The store itself, was everything a new store should be. White and bright and like a functional art piece with spatial and commercial relevance.

If you have never been in a J.Crew store before, or have never seen their clothes altogether, the best way to describe the brand is ‘Classic Americana’. To be very honest, they don’t carry much more than the staples: cardigans, pencil skirts and loafers. However, they master these essentials so well that they revive them into something so new and exciting that you could picture them in your wardrobe for years and years to come.  J.Crew is much like a tall American I once dated. When people would ask me to describe him, he wouldn’t sound like much. Tall, brown hair, brown eyes, a strong jaw and a midwest drawl. But when each component is classic in a sort of impossibly perfect way, the result is so much more than the sum of it’s parts. This is the thing about J.Crew that makes me swoon, much like that man did all those years ago, because when American design gets it right, they get it damn right.

And I digress.

The event itself was fabulous. There was an onslaught of vodka lemonades in quaint glass jars and paper straws along with a plethora of the fruitiest white wine I have ever tasted. Handsome waiters wearing crisp linen and black skinny ties offered up watermelon cubes topped with a slice of feta and mint pesto (it took me some convincing to try), as well as mini ice cream sandwiches and equally petite hot dogs.

Acting as visual injections of interest were the beautifully curated pieces of  art that adorned the shelves and walls including the metal sculptured owls perched on the highest shelves keeping watch all night.

Overall, I think J.Crew will find itself facing a warm reception amongst Toronto’s fashion crowd. After all, I think we’re ALL a little weak for a good-looking American.

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