J.McLaughlin and interior designer Mark D. Sikes have collaborated on The Monogram Collection incorporating summer looks consistent with the timeless, classic, all-American style they both share.
“We actually worked together many years ago at Banana Republic in its heyday,” Greg Unis, chief executive officer of J.McLaughlin, told WWD. “We always enjoyed working together so when I started at J.McLaughlin last year, we said we should figure out a way to work together again, because we have this shared customer. This is about us elevating the positioning of the brand.”
“There are many classic, timeless pieces, but I also think they’re fun, and there’s whimsy, color and pattern,” Sikes said. “The Monogram Collection is very approachable in many ways. I do think it’s really unique. I would say, just classic, timeless style, beautiful silhouettes that many people, young or old, and of all sizes, can wear. A lot of my clients that I design homes for shop at J.McLaughlin. The women specifically love all the shirts,” Sikes noted. “But I also think this is about reaching new clients — for both of us.”
The Charlotte Drama dress from The Monogram Collection.
Sikes represents the first time J.McLaughlin has tapped an interior designer to create a collection, though interior designer Alvise Orsini helped furnish a J.McLaughlin location in Southampton, N.Y., last year.
It’s also Sikes’ first fashion partnership. Sikes drew much attention working with the Bidens at the White House five years ago to redesign the East Wing, which this year was torn down so President Trump could build a ballroom. Sikes also has worked on Blair House, the guest residence of those visiting the U.S. president, is a bestselling author, and is working on a personal project, the Orange Hill Farm in Ojai, Calif., with a country home and a citrus farm that will be a backdrop for his brand.
Mark Sikes and Greg Unis in outfits from the Monogram Collection.
J.McLaughlin has partnered with a few designers in the past, including Harper Lawrence for fall 2023 handbags, Stubbs & Wootton for spring 2023 shoes, and Robin Piccone for swimwear and Frances Valentine for shoes, both for spring 2025. However, Unis said working with Sikes represents the brand’s biggest partnership to date, considering the Monogram Collection spans men’s and women’s fashion and accessories and includes 29 women’s styles, 13 men’s styles, with some silhouettes featuring multiple colorways and prints. The Monogram Collection, J.McLaughlin indicated, draws inspiration from 1940s American sportswear, Old Hollywood, and designers like Claire McCardell.
Menswear from The Monogram Collection codesigned with Mark Sikes.
Prices start at $168 for the Kyleigh scarf, the Anderson shirt, the Gramercy cotton shirt, and the Emily shorts. At the high end, there’s the Emma coat and Mark double-breasted blazer, both priced at $498. There’s also the Charlotte Drama dress and the Ashley long strapless dress, both priced $448, and the Aileen cardigan, priced $178. Navy, white and red colors prevail, which Unis said evokes the American flag and aligns with the nation’s 250th anniversary.
While being named The Monogram Collection, there’s no monogramming offered, though Sikes said the name is appropriate. “It just felt like a really great name. A monogram, by definition, means distinctive. It’s identifying. It makes a statement and it feels very classic and timeless.”
The Monogram Collection launches June 22 in 50 of the nearly 200 J.McLaughlin stores, and with a designated landing page on the J.McLaughlin website. In addition, the collection will be featured in a seasonal catalog landing at homes beginning June 22. Most recently, the collection was previewed at J.McLaughlin’s Dallas store. Other J.McLaughlin locations scheduled to showcase the collection are in Greenwich, Conn.; Middleburg, Va.; Atlanta; Southampton, and Nantucket, Mass. The collection will further be bolstered by social media and special events throughout the late spring and early summer.
Sikes said tapping an interior designer to create fashion “is not completely out there. Even though I’m an interior designer, I do have a history in fashion,” he said, noting his involvement in stores, visual merchandising, curating collections and marketing at Banana Republic along with Unis back in the ’90s and 2000s.
“I also love fashion,” Sikes added. “I think that our brand is defined by beauty. When I think about beauty, I think about more than just architecture, art and design. I think a lot about fashion, and fashion is an inspiration to everything that we do. I don’t think things are as singular as just interior design or fashion. Think of some of the greats. Oscar de la Renta had beautiful homes and an amazing aesthetic to his homes and his gardens, but he was also an amazing interior designer. Same with Bill Blass. I’m not putting myself in those categories, but I’m saying I do think interior design and fashion design are intertwined in many ways. It’s definitely more of a modern way of looking at things with a different perspective.”
Asked if collaborating with designers could be a growing strategy at the Greenpoint, Brooklyn-based J.McLaughlin, Unis replied, “We are thinking about a couple of other collaborations, and would love to continue to work with Mark as well. We are starting with this one with Mark for summer and we’ll keep you posted as it unfolds.”
Could Sikes do a home collection for J.McLaughlin? “That’s not on the agenda, at least for now,” said Unis. “I wouldn’t rule it out.”
