'We won't do reruns, out of respect for the First Family': Jenna Lyons on why J. Crew refuses to cash in on inaugural outfits

After Michelle Obama stepped out in Jason Wu for a second time at last night's Inaugural ball, his website crashed from millions of curious new customers.
But those searching J.Crew’s website for the First Lady's stand out accessories, or Malia's plum coat, from earlier on in the day needn't bother, explained the company’s creative director, Jenna Lyons.
The 48-year-old told Today: 'Obviously people want to have a part of what she's wearing, but most often she's purchased it from previous seasons, or has pulled it out of her closet, so it's not available. We won't [rerun these items], just out of respect for the First family.'

Respecting the First family: J. Crew's creative director, Jenna Lyons, has said they won't rerun any clothing or accessories the Obama's wear, out of respect

'The lady day coat that Malia was wearing has been in our line for years, and we’ll continue that, but we’ll retire the color. We won’t do the color again, just out of respect for the first family,' she added.

 

J.Crew also designed Michelle Obama’s purple gloves; an embellished sash that she transformed into a belt, which she wore over her navy jacquard Thom Browne coat; as well as a pair of pastel pumps.
'That belt was actually a sash. She fashioned it into a belt around the coat. We won’t rerun that. She did her own thing to that, and out of respect, we’ll let her have her that moment.'

Color co-ordinated: Michelle Obama's J. crew gloves echoed her daughters' (from left, Sasha, 11, and Malia, 14) purple Kate Spade and J. crew outfits

Off the rack: Malia, 14, wore J. Crew's $325 Lady Day cost in plum, which is now only available in a size zero

Although the Obama’s J.Crew picks were on store racks yesterday, they are now almost entirely sold out.
Malia’s $325 wool-blend coat in ‘fresh plum’ is only now available in a size zero, while Ms Obama's $238 Valentina patent pumps are sold out in her ‘Aluminum’ colorway. And her $265 rhinestone sash, part of J.Crew’s bridal collection, is also completely out of stock. 
'As far as we know, they literally ordered online and they shop like anyone else in America,' Ms Lyons told WWD. 'We found out that morning, just like the rest of the world.'

Elegant: The First Lady teamed her Thom Browne ensemble with a necklace designed by Cathy Waterman, and J Crew shoes (left). Later, she changed into Reed Karkoff boots and added a J Crew belt, and gloves (right)

Sold out: Ms Obama's $238 J. Crew patent pumps are sold out in her ‘Aluminum’ colorway (left) , and her $265 rhinestone sash which she turned into a belt from  J.Crew’s bridal collection, is also out of stock (right)

In an age where designers and their fashion house will take the first opportunity to cash in on outfits worn by both Kate Middleton and Mrs Obama, Ms Lyons' humble attitude also helps J. Crew to retain a sense of exclusivity that high-street stores loose when they mass-produce pieces worn by devoutly-followed celebrities.
'I feel a sense of responsibility to make people feel good and to make people look good,' she said.
'For me, the reason I like to make clothes is I want everyone, not just the people who have a really big pocket book, but everyone to feel beautiful.'