J.Crew went big for its 40th birthday, marking “40 years of American style” with one of the hottest pre-New York Fashion Week tickets in town. The retailer took over New York City’s scenic Pier 17 rooftop to throw a late summer concert celebration with DJ Amrit and The Strokes performing.
Amrit kicked off the night, while The Strokes finished it with a 30-minute set that had the crowd of stars and influencers dancing in their best (preppy) concert attire.
With a lit-up Brooklyn Bridge serving as the stage’s backdrop, even The Strokes’ lead singer Julian Casablancas had to stop and marvel at the picturesque venue, before joking with the crowd that the “J” in “J.Crew” stands for “Julian.”
The event brought out some legends—both in Hollywood and to the brand itself. Former J.Crew campaign models Diane Keaton, Sadie Sink, Joshua Jackson, and Jodie Turner-Smith stopped by the fête. For Turner-Smith and Jackson, it was a remarkably stylish date night, with Turner-Smith making a nod to the roaring ’20s with a black sequined dress and bob. Keaton and Sink also had a fashion moment, posing for a photo capturing two generations of Hollywood talent coming together.
The celeb attendees didn’t stop there: Fans of the brand including Adam Scott, Joan Smalls, Camille Rowe, Jasmine Tookes, and Ella Emhoff also took in the night. Former executive creative director Jenna Lyons was among those in the crowd, along with the brand’s current women’s creative director Olympia Gayot and men’s creative director Brendon Babenzien.
The party started at 7 P.M. and went until 11 P.M.
Seafood was served, with oysters set on ice towers engraved with J.Crew’s name. Décor paid homage to the brand’s coastal aesthetic, with cream-cushioned couches with navy-striped pillows set on the ground for guests to lounge and chat on. A wooden boat was also set up for everyone to pose in front of so they too could have a J.Crew model moment.
Photos from the brand’s catalogs throughout the years lit up elevator screens in a striking reminder of J.Crew’s decades-long impact on fashion.
It was one of the brand’s biggest celebrations in New York City—and a literal high note to kick off fashion week. Swipe through the scene and see exactly what the celeb guests wore below:
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.