Brendon Babenzien to Exit J.Crew as Men's Creative Director

Summary

• Brendon Babenzien is leaving his role as Men’s Creative Director at J.Crew

• The designer, who joined the retailer in May 2021, is credited with spearheading a successful brand turnaround, where his tenure focused on a “neo-prep” aesthetic, reviving 1990s archival styles, and bringing back the iconic J.Crew Catalog

• Babenzien will continue to run his own label, Noah

Brendon Babenzien is set to depart J.Crew, ending a pivotal four-year tenure that reshaped the identity of the classic American retailer. According to recent reports, the designer will step down from his position as Men’s Creative Director, a role he has held since 2021. His appointment was seen as a key strategic move to modernize the brand following its emergence from bankruptcy, and his exit marks the conclusion of a chapter defined by a successful return to heritage-inspired menswear.

Babenzien, best known as the former design director of Supreme and co-founder of the streetwear label Noah, was hired to inject a sense of “cool” back into J.Crew. Under his direction, the menswear line pivoted away from the slim-fit “Ludlow” era of the 2010s and embraced a more relaxed, nostalgic aesthetic. Key contributions included the reintroduction of the “Giant Fit” chino, a focus on high-quality fabrics like Harris Tweed and Irish linen, and a styling approach that blended traditional preppy codes with a modern street sensibility.

Beyond clothing, Babenzien played a crucial role in reviving J.Crew’s cultural cachet. He was instrumental in bringing back the beloved physical J.Crew Catalog in 2024, a move that resonated with both long-time fans and a younger generation of shoppers. His final projects included the “Rollneck Remix,” a collaboration series that tapped emerging New York designers to reimagine the brand’s signature sweaters.

Babenzien is expected to shift his full focus back to Noah, the independent label he runs with his wife, Estelle Bailey-Babenzien. J.Crew has not yet named a successor, leaving the menswear division at a crossroads as it seeks to maintain the momentum built during Babenzien’s impactful residency.

The departure is effective immediately, though specific details regarding the transition remain forthcoming. J.Crew continues to operate under the leadership of CEO Libby Wadle and Women’s Creative Director Olympia Gayot, who has similarly been credited with revitalizing the women’s business.