Duh: Jenna Lyons Named Woman Of The Year By Glamour

What's not to love about J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons? She's stylish but quirky, successful yet approachable, and even Solange is gushing: “As my friendship with Jenna grows, so does my complete admiration for what she embodies as a woman, a mother, and a force in the world.” So, it's no surprise — in fact, it would've been quite offensive any other way — that she was named one of Glamour's Women of the Year for 2012. But, still, when you see her many accomplishments on paper, you can't help but balk at the the sheer comprehensiveness of her resume.

The 44-year-old started as a fashion assistant at J. Crew in 1990, and was named creative director of the mega-brand in 2007. Although, take the word "mega" with a grain of salt, because there's no doubt that J. Crew wouldn't be what it is today without Lyons' eagle eye for high-end trends with a mass appeal. Famed fashion critic Robin Givhan said it best when she explained to Glamour: “She transformed J.Crew from an inexpensive preppy brand into a brand that really gets at the heart of how American women want to dress…. Her greatest skill is that she can dress both mothers and daughters with equal style. And she proves that it can be done at a fair price.” It's that delicate balance that's made J. Crew such an incredibly unique brand — at once easy and refined, curated and relatable.