, Columnist
How J. Crew Can Fix Its Identity Crisis
The flailing brand needs to understand its customers and win back pricing power.
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Jenna Lyons's decision to step down as J. Crew Group's creative director provoked a slew of wistful love letters to a fashion maven who taught a generation of American women how to dress with preppy flair for 26 years. Her departure was also a reminder of the existential struggle of a brand that outfitted the First Lady at the 2013 presidential inauguration and brought affordable luxury to the masses.
Eulogies can certainly provide perspective -- as Racked put it, "Everyone's got feelings about Jenna Lyons leaving J. Crew." But more pressing for J. Crew stewards now is figuring out where to go from here.