J. Press SS24 Lookbook Available Online Today

You can check it out for yourself here.

From the site:

As fashion evolves, Ivy style’s presence ebbs and flows within it. J. Press holds firmly to the art of fine tailoring that originated so many years ago with my grandfather, Jacobi Press. We are committed to preserving our rich history of timeless elegance and understated sophistication. Ivy style is not one dimensional and this season the inspiration for our presentation comes from classical sources. Just as fine artists have used clothing as a vehicle to express character and identity in their subjects, we have used elements of fine art as a vehicle to express the personality of our clothing. The following photographs highlight the artistry of our Spring & Summer collection of warm weather perennials. ~ Richard Press (Grandson of founder Jacobi Press)

I’ll say. Everybody knows I like J. Press but come on, this collection is a work of art, based on works of art. We have been saying for two years that we have noticed Ivy moving, this collection is where it landed. There is color amongst the tradition, there is quality amongst the innovation, there is levity amongst the history, there is good taste amongst the rule following.

I had the opportunity to bounce a few questions off of Robert Squillaro (Chief Merchandise Officer) and Logan Cannon (Marketing & Ecommerce Creative Director) about Ivy in general and the SS224 Lookbook, and I have transcribed it for you below:

The book and collection represent an evolution of traditional and classic dress to some degree.  Are there elements of design and wardrobe you would not innovate?  Are there particular pieces of your entire inventory that you would never evolve? 

Our core, or iconic pieces are standards that we have no intention of innovating or evolving. Pieces like our sack suit, navy blazer, ocbd, and khaki chino are standards that we stand by as classic and timeless.

For some time there has been a lot of reporting about men in general dressing down, both socially and at work.  Can you speak to whether you see that trend or not?   If you do see that trend, what changes have you made in your lines to accommodate it?  

We’ve certainly seen the trend of dressing down over time, however, we’ve also seen the trend of elevated sportswear as a response. We’re making sure to offer a wide range of tasteful and comfortable sportswear that can stand alone or accommodate a tie and jacket.

Almost every jacket in the book is worn with a pocket square, a choice I would love to see more of out and about.  To what extent do your catalogs shape trends and to what extent are your catalogs influenced by them? 

We would love to see our catalogs shape trends! For the most part though, we operate on a longer timeline of style than do fashion trends. Our campaign for this season was inspired by combinations of old master, pre impressionist, and impressionist artwork. We want our presentation to be as timeless and elegant as our product.

Invariably when I post about your books readers respond that they can’t wait to get theirs.  But producing a paper book is an expensive venture, especially high quality ones like what you do.  What is the strategy behind the books and do you envision a day when Press only markets digitally?

 We acknowledge that our customers value the printed book that we produce. The tangibility of printed material is special, and we’ve seen a slight return in printing across the industry for that reason. We intend to continue offering our printed catalog more as a brand presentation than the sales tool that it once was.

What is the true status of the necktie today?  

The necktie has become more of an occasion piece, but we still sell quite a bit of regimental striped ties that we’re known for. We’ve also seen an increased interest in knit ties because of their casual and comfortable presentation.

I am not a fan of some company’s collabs.  They seem to be stretches.  But yours are always spot on.  What goes into the thinking process the decision to or not to do a collab? 

We want to make sure we’re collaborating with purpose. Collaborations allow us to offer a selection of product that we may not otherwise produce but still fit into the Ivy aesthetic. Pennant Label collaborations allow us to step further outside of our traditional framework by working with brands that may be a reach for our J. Press main line. From a business perspective, collaborations provide a cross selling opportunity to customers who may not know about us otherwise, but this is where our patience and careful consideration prevent us from stretching too far.

How do the white bucks do?  I love them, wish I saw more of those out and about as well. 

Our white bucks have done well since launching them last year. We produce a high-quality shoe so we encourage our customers to wear them well, often, and outside of seasonal “rules”. And don’t worry about keeping them in pristine condition. Dirty white bucks are a transcendent style element.

The new book has come great pattern combinations.  Can you guide us as to how to combine patterns? It can be intimidating. 

Scale is the primary variable to consider when mixing patterns. Patterns too close in scale can be confusing to look at. Start by working with only two patterns at once, one of smaller scale, and one of larger scale. If you’re wearing a narrow stripe dress shirt and want to pair it with a regimental stripe tie, make sure the stripes on the tie are wide. Or mix a mini gingham check shirt with a large patterned plaid. Then consider color and tone.

Again, the Lookbook is here, can’t wait to hear what you think about it – I think it is a brilliant step.

JB