She's the 6-foot-tall powerhouse who spent 26 years at J.Crew, dressing first ladies, landing on the Time 100 list in 2013 for her work as a "tastemaker" and even squeezing in a stint on the millennial-favourite TV show Girls. She single-handedly made the playfully preppy, geek-chic girl cool. Sequins became fair game in the supermarket, playground and office; chinos are now acceptable evening attire; and glasses on the red carpet? Totally legit, thanks to Jenna Lyons and her thick-framed Moscot spectacles. This is why when news broke in April that 48-year-old Lyons was stepping down as J.Crew's president and executive creative director by mutual agreement with Mickey Drexler—the brand's chairman and chief executive—the fashion industry went into a state approaching meltdown.
Regardless of what label Lyons hitches her wagon to next —Business of Fashion's fantasy draft came up with Ralph Lauren—she's had a seismic impact on the way women dress. Glamour editor Jo Elvin told me that she channels Lyons when getting ready: "I don't love getting dressed up and then having to put glasses on, but at times like that, I think of Jenna." And Lyons even started using "real" women of all ages who inspired her for biannual presentations at New York Fashion Week instead of models. She also has some of the best personal style in the business. There's no black uniform–and–white trainer wardrobe here. Cosy jumpers with feathered miniskirts? Check. Baby-pink boilersuits. Double check.
Here, we revisit the 12 looks that made us fall hard for Lyons.
Style Notes: Why wear a classic belted trench when you can wear one that's cropped at the elbows to show your Breton underneath? That pop of coral lipstick is also a lovely Lyons flourish.
Style Notes: She paved the way for Leandra Medine's gang of man repellers in this natty jumper, feathery skirt number. And top marks for her being 6' and refusing to hang up her heels.
Style Notes: Do not try this at home. Only Lyons and her partner Courtney Crangi can make mismatched J.Crew pyjamas look this chic.
Style Notes: If you still associate leopard print with Bette Lynch, then take a leaf out of Lyons's book. A nude tulle skirt and army jacket will make those spots sing.
Style Notes: What did I tell you? A spangled blazer, combat trousers and a white button-down anchor the look—perfection.
Style Notes: I submit this look as evidence that khaki can make anything—even a princess-pink satin skirt—look effortless.
Style Notes: Tangerine-coloured tulle, khaki and hundreds of butterfly pins—what could possibly go wrong? Nothing: It was a perfectly eccentric symphony on Lyons at this year's Met Gala.
Style Notes: This pastel-pink boilersuit by J.Crew is typical Lyons. She wears it running errands and to red carpet events by just adding a camel coat or subtracting a sequinned necktie, always managing to not make it look like a giant Babygro.
Style Notes: A snake-print silk robe would spell "Hugh Hefner" on anyone but Lyons. Listen up, class: Slicked-back hair and glasses can make any look less louche.
Style Notes: Proving she's a master of minimalism as well as maximalism in pristine head-to-toe white. Also loving the eyewear switch-up from newsreader glasses to "dad" specs.
Style Notes: Head-to-toe cardboard brown sounds like a whole lot of boring, but with a ruffle hem here and a huge earring there, Lyons makes it looks more tempting than any other hue out there.
Style Notes: This makes me want to buy a pinstripe blazer and wear it with anything but matching trousers and sensible shoes.
Next up, the autumn/winter 2017 fashion trends to know now.