If you own a sweater, or pencil skirt or pair of oxfords from J.Crew, you have already been acquainted with Jenna Lyons, even if you don't know her by name.
The creative director and president of J.Crew, who is currently going through a messy divorce, is credited with developing the retail behemoth's preppy-yet-offbeat aesthetic. In recent years, Lyons has become a style personality, the antidote to the Alexander McQueens and Lady Gagas of the world, known for mixing basics with the subtly quirky.
Women deeply identify with the laid-back, 6-foot-5 creative director and have increasingly been interested in the minutiae of her life. In 2008, J.Crew sought to take advantage of Lyons' appealing personality by creating "Jenna's Picks," a section in their catalogues dedicated to her favorite items.
Lyons has appeared in magazines like Glamour, InStyle and Lucky and has even been on "Oprah" in a segment filmed in her closet. Forbes magazine said that she reached "icon status comparable to the likes of superstar designers like Donna Karan and Miuccia Prada."
Lyons' family life has long been part of her story. She married artist Vincent Mazeau in 2002 in a ceremony that was covered in New York magazine.
"Vincent and I envisioned a black-tie barbecue for our wedding," Lyons said alongside photos of her in an easy, breezy wedding dress and Mazeau in a kilt.
The couple's townhouse in Park Slope has been frequently photographed, and become an object of lust for many a New Yorker. "My trick has been to approach each area like putting together an outfit," Lyons told Living Etc. "You might start with an old pair of jeans, a cashmere cardigan, or a floral belt, and work around that central fashion statement."
Earlier this year, Mazeau shot photos of Lyons and their son Beckett, 5, around the house for a J.Crew feature called "Saturday with Jenna." One of the images showed Lyons' painting her son's toes hot pink. A scandal erupted, with newscasters dissecting the image and claiming Lyons was sending confusing gender messages to her son. Jon Stewart jokingly dubbed the incident "Toemaggedon."
"I’m not surprised that [Beckett] was interested in what I was doing," Lyons told New York magazine. "My God, my toes went from white to hot pink — it was very exciting."
Originally from Palos Verdes, Calif., Lyons came to New York in 1987 to study at Parsons. In 1990, she started at J.Crew -- then a small upstart. By 2007, she had worked her way up to creative director. In 2009 she earned $750,000 and was given bonuses and benefits bringing her total pay to $4.2 million, according to reports. Last year, she was named company president.
Earlier today, Page Six reported that Lyons and Mazeau split this summer, and that divorce proceedings are getting contentious. Mazeau is seeking custody of Beckett, as well as the couple's townhouse and a large settlement, arguing that he put the breaks on his career to stay home with their son. Meanwhile, Lyons friends say she supported his career and gave him a financially comfortable life. Lyons is reportedly in love again, this time with a woman. |
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