Blackburn + Sweetzer Has Moved

J Brand co-founders Susie Crippen (left) and Jeff Rudes (right) with Christina Ricci wearing J Brand’s ‘910′ in Oil Slick; click to expand any images; Photo by Amy Graves

This past Saturday, J Brand launched the J Brand Gallery at Ron Herman’s Melrose outpost at Fred Segal—a shop in shop featuring J Brand, J Brand Boutique, J Brand Denim Co. and the recently released J Brand/Hussein Chalayan collab. J Brand co-founders Susie Crippen and Jeff Rudes were on hand, as was the man behind the retail institution Ron Herman (who, I must say, was incredibly welcoming and refreshingly enthusiastic) and celeb fans of the brand, Christina Ricci, Eastwick’s Jaime Ray Newman, True Blood’s Nelsan Ellis, Brothers and Sisters‘ Sarah Jane Morris, and Monk’s Jason Gray Stanford.

Attendees sipped the Sofia Coppola bubbly, but were more interested in shopping, as the denim came on and off the shelves. Negotiating the crowd was challenging enough that Susie Crippen suggested jumping out of the fray upon my request for a quick chat about the gallery and J Brand’s recent collab with Hussein Chalayan.

Interview with Susie Crippen, the celeb turnout, the J Brand Gallery…


J Brand/Hussein Chalayan jeans

What was behind the timing and decision to do the J Brand Gallery at Ron Herman?
You know, Ron was our first retailer. This is where the brand was born and this gives us a chance to show where the brand has gone and grown.

J Brand Gallery merch

J Brand’s Susie Crippen

Whose idea was it to do the Hussein Chalayan collab?
We were looking for someone to collaborate with that would really work with our fashion forward customer. Our rep in London called us and said how about Hussein Chalayan and we were beyond thrilled because of who he is in the design world, not just as a designer but what he does on a conceptual and artistic level. And then Hussein emailed me while I was in Beverly Hills on a meeting, it was so exciting.

How did it all come together?
I went out to London in January and met with Hussein who had done some sketches. It was literally about six hours, plus fittings, and we were done. He was fantastic to work with and I think the collaboration really captures his signature design elements.

Walls are lined with photos showing each style’s inspiration

Any other collaborations in the works?
We’re going to be doing another collection with Hussein Chalayan, and we’re also working with Henry Duarte.

The J Brand Gallery will be up at least through September 10, when there will be a fashion extravaganza at Ron Herman Melrose in conjunction with Vogue’s Fashion’s Night Out. Stay tuned for more info.

Brothers and Sisters’ Sarah Jane Morris wearing J Brand’s ‘Love Story’ in Ink; Photo by Amy Graves

Sarah Jane Morris

True Blood’s Nelsan Ellis with his adorable son; Photo by Amy Graves

Eastwick’s Jaime Ray Newman wearing J Brand’s ‘Babe’ in Hightide; Photo by Amy Graves

Monk’s Jason Gray Stanford wearing the J Brand Denim Co. ‘Kane’ in Colt; Photo by Amy Graves