On Tuesday morning, J. Crew presented editors with a covetable fall 2013 collection. Using the colorful, historic landscape of Marrakech as inspiration, the clothing dipped into a palette of burnt oranges and crimson reds, which contrasted with the brand’s signature fluorescents and classic shapes. There was plenty of hallmark glitz too: “There is a lot of beading and a lot of embroidering, and mixing that, with really sharp tailored blazers or coats, made it feel really fresh,” said Tom Mora, J. Crew’s head womenswear designer. But as expected, it was the retailer’s accessories that stole many an audience member’s heart. The Daily Beast presents the show’s accessory highlights (hitting stores in six months’ time) with commentary from Mora himself.
1. A collaboration with cult leather goods brand WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie
“It’s their first time doing women’s so we’re excited to do it with them,” Mora said of Want Essentiels (as the cool kids call it). The resulting product is a “clutch that pulls out and becomes a tote.” It was shown in bright orange and navy leathers.
2. The new pointy-toed heel
J. Crew was one of the first high street retailers to hop on the pointy-toed heel’s return. For fall 2013, they’ve elaborated on the silhouette with various iterations. There were metallic heels with a double ankle strap, suede lace-ups, capped-toe T-straps, and more. Mora saw the designs as “really fresh and clean. There are some that have subtle mixes of fabrication and some jewelling on them, but that’s it.”
3. A Bejeweled Baseball Hat
As far as hats go, J. Crew has been known to align itself with knit beanies. However, this season they made the switch to baseball caps. This jeweled version was one of the presentation’s most-instagrammed items, coveted for its edgy, polished appeal.
4. The Statement Necklace
J. Crew’s jewelry line is “hugely successful,” explained Mora. “I think the jewelry this season is phenomenal, [especially] the subtleties of the color play.” This statement necklace draws its colors from Morocco’s rich desert landscape. When paired with simpler fare (like the monochromatic tweed dress it was shown with at the presentation), the necklace creates added interest for an outfit without appearing too costume-y.
5. The Beaded Scarf
Whether you’re a fan of beaded glitz or not, it’s hard to deny that J. Crew’s sparkly incentives add a bit of fairy dust to the already cultish brand. Enter the beaded scarf, a concept that’s totally common sense for a store that’s already bedazzled jeans, shirt collars, and everything in between. The souped-up scarf comes in a Moroccan black and saffron tile print.
6. Enormously Oversized Rhinestone Earrings
J. Crew is revered for its ability quirk up standby classics. At Tuesday’s presentation, these remarkably oversized jeweled earrings were paired with simple grey flannel trousers, leather gauntlet gloves, and a patterned top. The match created an unexpected balance between the old and the new.
