Surf's Up for J.Crew

With T-shirts that read “Aloha” and glittering hibiscus pants, J.Crew served up surfside wear for its Spring/Summer 2014 presentation on Tuesday.

The laid-back atmosphere was fun—models laughed and talked to each other as they posed for photographers—and Jenna Lyons, the company's president and executive creative director, wandered the crowds, chatting about the collection.

Equally as playful were the clothes, featuring bright hues from all ends of the spectrum, very typical J.Crew pieces like embellished blouses, printed tailored pants, and comfortable sweaters. There were also graphic tees that read "Oui Mon Cheri" and "Tres Bien," and a pair of army-colored cargo pants with paint splattered on them that of course only Jenna Lyons could make cool.

While accessories like jewelry and handbags were kept minimal (different from decked-out collections of past seasons), the standouts of the collection were the wild-and-crazy heels, a collaboration between the retailer and British luxury shoe designer Sophia Webster. Lyons described the shoes to WWD as “miniature sets—a beautiful world for your feet to spend the day in. Each shoe tells a unique story.” With strong vibes of Webster's eponymous collection, including cutouts and bright colors, the collaboration finalized the high-fashion element that J.Crew has been bringing to the table.

"I want [customers] to walk into our stores and smile," womenswear designer Tom Mora said. "It's a happy collection, filled with fantastic new pieces in great colors, prints, and new proportions."