One is No Longer the Lonliest Number: J.Crew's One-of-a-Kind Collaboration with Larry McKaughan

Photo courtesy of J.Crew

In today's market, retailers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep shoppers interested in what they've got on the chopping block. How does one bait potential buyers into making the plunge and throwing down their hard-earned dough on what you've got on tap? Stores--from high-end to bargain-basement--have been scratching their heads in hopes of coming up with some sort of Eureka! moment. Well--of course--leave it to J.Crew to crack the code. The company, which has been consistently hitting it out of the park since clothing magician Mickey Drexler stepped on-board, has teamed up with Larry McKaughan (aka 'The King of Vintage'), the Seattle-based owner of Heller's Cafe, known for his proclivity for second-hand treasures. Together with McKaughan, J.Crew has unveiled their special collaborative line of clothing and accessories. Each of the pieces featured on J.Crew's website are reproductions of rare gems from McKaughan's archive, crafted by Japanese denim brand Warehouse, with slight modifications to update the fit. The real kicker with these special pieces? Only one of each was made--so when you purchase, you know you've got the only one on this fair planet.

The collaboration, which is offered exclusively online at jcrew.com, has some great western-themed, timeless pieces including riffs on the popular chambray shirt, sturdy, paint-splattered denim and some killer bags. The site is currently showing pictures of juicy items that are already spoken for with big 'SOLD' labels over them, making our palms sweat and blood pressure soar with shopper's anxiety. The prices may not be the most recession-friendly things we've ever seen (T-shirts are running for about $100 and pants can set you back close to $500), but isn't it worth it to know you won't roll up to some party wearing the same thing as everybody else? Originality, my friends, has it's price.