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On TikTok, it’s not unusual for fashion fans to post videos dissecting a celebrity’s personal style. But this summer users on the app have been fascinated with the wardrobe of a more behind-the-scenes personality: J.Crew’s head of womenswear, Olympia Gayot. On TikTok, there are now several videos of those in the Olympia Gayot fan club who are praising her effortless, nonchalant approach to dressing—something that’s come as a total surprise to the designer herself. “I’ve seen a few of [the TikToks],” Gayot laughs of her newfound internet fame. “It’s been really cool to see.”
Gayot joined J.Crew as head of women’s and kids’ design in October 2020, but prior to that she worked at the label as its design director for seven years. She says the most exciting challenge at the brand in her new role has been finding new, modern ways to pay homage to its long-standing heritage. “I’ve been really pouring through the archives and looking at our heritage from the 1980s to the 2000s,” says Gayot. “It’s really cool that we have all of that to work with, but you have to find a way to modernize it, because that’s what fashion is—fashion always moves forward.”
Considering that street style star Jenna Lyons oversaw the womenswear collections before her appointment, Gayot also recognizes that being a J.Crew designer demands a unique point of view and a personal style of her very own—both of which Gayot has in spades. For Gayot, her wardrobe is all about combining elements of ease, versatility, and flair. “I’ve always loved classic pieces, but my style has for sure changed over the years,” says Gayot. “For me now, it’s definitely about how many things I have to get done in a day, and my style is dictated by that. I have kids, and I walk to work; there’s a comfort factor to the way I dress now. I want it to be easy and comfortable—but still emotional and powerful.”
Why TikTok is so obsessed with Gayot’s closet is largely thanks to her ability to mix and match. She loves pairing high with low: She’ll style J.Crew basics with vintage Prada, one of her favorite luxury labels. “I’ve always loved Miuccia Prada,” says Gayot. “I think her current work with Raf Simons is really cool.” She also enjoys combining high-octane colors and textures; she’s influenced by the combos she sees in art and design and through her travels. “I’m always inspired by my surroundings,” says Gayot. “I’m in Copenhagen right now. When you think of Copenhagen street style, everyone’s usually wearing tons of color. But it’s interesting, everyone is super classic—everyone’s wearing men’s dress shirts.”
Her main fashion ethos? Allowing personality to shine through in an outfit. “As a designer, that’s what I’m always trying to say—that you are first and foremost most important and the clothes are there to make you feel great,” says Gayot. “You never want to feel like the clothes are wearing you.” Below, Gayot discusses more of her daily style tips plus how she dresses for work, her love of shopping secondhand, and what else inspires her designs.
Reinvent the classics
I love traditional menswear tailoring and adding an element of personality into it—whether that’s color or vintage jewelry. When you love fashion, you have to find a way to make it feel like yourself; I layer things to make it feel like me. I’d wear this look to work. The chambray shirt is a collaboration between J.Crew and Marie Marot; she’s a French designer who makes these beautiful, menswear-inspired shirts. I paired it with thick crepe J.Crew trousers and Prada’s Birkenstock-style sandals, which have a padded sole that’s like walking on a cloud. All my jewelry is vintage; I wear this big Agmes cuff every day.
Versatility is key
Having kids in New York, I need versatility. I’m not a very scheduled person; I like going to dinner on a whim. I want something I can put on in the morning, drop my kids off in, go to work, then go to dinner or a party in. Going home and changing is not something I’m really interested in doing. This is my school drop-off look. I walk to work (in flats!) from home, and their school is on the way, which is nice. The shirt is Marie Morot for J.Crew, and the pants are Dries Van Noten. I love the idea of monochromatic color. The shoe is a J.Crew fisherman sandal, and the trench coat is Prada. I bought it five years ago, and it’s probably my most used piece in my closet. There’s a confidence that comes with being comfortable.
Consider shopping secondhand
I love vintage consignment and shopping on The RealReal. I love vintage Prada and YSL. I grew up as a teenager in the ’90s, and thrifting was a huge part of what I did with my friends—finding old men’s trousers and flannel shirts. This is a vintage Prada dress that I got on The RealReal. I was going to a wedding and looking for a dress; I instantly bought it, and it fit like a glove. It’s all chiffon and lace and has these amazing feathers on the sleeve. I paired it with vintage Saint Laurent oxfords that I also got on The RealReal and hosiery socks. I liked the juxtaposition between the more femme dress and tough shoes.
Dress for your surroundings
I’m always inspired by my surroundings. I’m aware of colors that are trending on the runways, but I’m really inspired by furniture, design, and art. (I love artists such as Josef Albers and Katherine Bernhardt.) I was a painter before I was a designer, so color is really important to me; I’m always looking at color compositions within paintings—that’s a big reference for me when I design and even when I dress. Here, I’m standing in front of an art gallery in Tribeca. There’s something about the color of the painting in the window that inspired me. I’m wearing all J.Crew: I love the beautiful rib cashmere in electric citron, with a blazer coat and white chinos that are three sizes too big. I love playing with proportion—it can completely change a look. To combat the more oversized fit, I brought in a heel.
Mix the masculine with the feminine
For me, it’s always been about a push and pull between masculine and feminine—and balancing high with low. This is my office look; I’m rifling through some of our new products. My double-breasted suit is a take on classic menswear tailoring but done in a more feminine way. If you’re wearing a suit that’s looser and easier, it’s surprisingly more comfortable than a jean. I’m wearing them with my Prada sandals again—I love the idea of a suit with a really chill shoe.
