Guest Post: Liquor Store & Andy Spade.
Of course, this isn't any ‘ole place. Firstly, it's in New York City. Secondly, it's actually a J. Crew store. Lastly, it's the brainchild of Andy Spade, husband in the bag making, iconic duo of Andy and Kate Spade. If none of this rings a bell, I suggest a little light reading: a primer and a little more on Andy.
Now back to the Liquor Store. What's most interesting about the place is that while it is a J. Crew menswear shop in the heart of New York, you'll find very little reference to J. Crew. The words appear neither on the sign outside nor overtly inside. It's an interesting take on branding from a big brand.
Everything feels right for the place, but nothing screams it. In fact, many things like the vintage books on sale and the other odd bits of epherma will have you wondering whether an upscale mens shop simply swiped some of J. Crew's line for their own.
After reading a bit about Andy Spade's philsophy on branding I came across one quote from him that really stood out. Something to ruminate on from one of the best known brands in New York:
4 Comments
"Great post and an incredible concept. I want to go when I'm in NYC!"
- Bryan Johnson
"Really like J. Crew's shift from seashore prep to iconic American in the past few years."
- Alvin Diec
"well, hello Andy Spade! genius. I like JCrew's clothes but I don't typically go in the store. The preppy snootiness puts me in a bad mood. I would go in the Liquor store, though. I wonder if this will be a more appealing environment for JCrew skeptics like me. great post!"
- graham
"I want to go there too! Not just as a designer, but also as a consumer I think branding should go beyond logo, signage and other usual things and spread to the look and feel of every detail, like the vintage books on sale. For women a similar idea is the experience you get in some Anthropologie stores like the one in B-ham. I really appreciate that kind of thoughtfulness and attention to detail."
- Priscilla S