Fashion Week: J.Crew spring 2012 show report

Any New Yorker with a pulse probably is aware of the epic transformation J.Crew has undergone in recent years, largely due to its creative director, Jenna Lyons, who’s more "sequins" than "roll-neck sweaters."

Showing at Fashion Week for the first time — a move likely done to elevate the brand to the haute fashion crowd since outside buyers can’t actually order any of the clothes (yet!)  — the mostly mass-market label presented women’s and men’s looks for spring that followed the company’s affordable-luxury aesthetic.

For women, it was a gorgeous mix of bright colors (orange trousers and bubblegum blouses) and undone dressy ensembles (printed tie-neck tops and striped coats paired with denim cutoffs). Like Lyons herself, some models were outfitted in dork-chic specs, and all had that lip color: the orange-red shade that’s already become a J.Crew signature.