With a Rollicking NYFW Party, J.Crew Menswear Enters a New Era

Two hundred people wore J.Crew in the former downtown home of Butter to watch the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The aughts are back, but this time, it’s 2022. The reason for the celebration on Wednesday night in NoHo? To celebrate the first J.Crew menswear collection by creative director Brendon Babenzien, the founder of the beloved cult brand Noah. At the not-yet-open club, Jeans, the downtown media and fashion cabal illustrated what looked like a reunion for the university class of 2008 put together by a boarding school alumnus with a particular flair for eccentricity. I personally did not have the pleasure of experiencing that special era of downtown New York, and I was reminded of that void while everyone around me seemed to be looking across the room for someone they haven’t seen since that very time, probably in that very basement.

“We are just trying to have a great NYC party,” said creative consultant and podcaster Chris Black.

The sea of casual suits, mini skirts, herringbone, and skinny ties was parted by the band led by the great Karen O, dressed in a kaleidoscopic fringe cape and fingerless gloves—a timeless look built for a born performer. Halfway through the seven-song set, the very shy Babenzien received a dedication of love and adoration from the band.

As the show came to a close, the scene across the street at Indochine turned into a family-style dinner of friends of the brand. Libby Wadle, CEO of J.Crew Group, gave a touching toast to Babenzien, reflecting on their decades-long friendship beginning when they lived in the same apartment in Williamsburg, long before the neighborhood had a Warby Parker or a Sweetgreen. “He would go off to work on his skateboard,” she recalled. “As we know it takes a while to reinvigorate, but also just you know Brendan is an incredible storyteller, and that is what we love at J.Crew.”