Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.10

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

             AGREEMENT, dated this 24th day of January, 2003 (this "Agreement"),
among J. Crew Group, Inc., a New York Corporation (the "Parent") and its
operating subsidiary J. Crew Operating Corp. (collectively with the Parent, the
"Company"), with offices at 770 Broadway, New York, New York, 10003 and Jeffrey
A. Pfeifle (the "Executive").

           l.  Term; Position and Responsibilities; Principal Work Location.

           (a) Term. Unless the Employment Period (as defined below) is
terminated earlier pursuant to Section 4 hereof, the Company shall engage the
Executive on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement for a
five year term commencing on the earliest date mutually agreeable between the
parties hereto (the "Commencement Date") and ending on the day immediately
preceding the fifth anniversary of the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").
Effective upon the expiration of the Initial Term and of each Additional Term
(as defined below), the Employment Period hereunder shall be deemed to be
automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions for an additional
period of one year (each, an "Additional Term"), in each such case, commencing
upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the then current Additional Term, as
the case may be, unless the Company or the Executive, at least three months
prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or such Additional Term, shall give
written notice to the other party of its intention not to extend the Employment
Period (as defined below) hereunder. The period during which the Executive is
employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, including any extension
thereof in accordance with the preceding sentence, shall be referred to as the
"Employment Period."

           (b) Position and Responsibilities. During the Employment Period, the
Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive as the President and in such other
position or positions with the Company as the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company (the "Chairman & CEO") may specify from time to time that
are consistent with the Executive's title and position. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall perform the duties and responsibilities that are
customarily assigned to individuals serving in such position or positions and
such other duties and responsibilities as the Board may reasonably specify from
time to time that are consistent with the Executive's title and position. The
Executive shall report to the Chairman & CEO while the Chairman and CEO are the
same person and thereafter to the CEO.

           (c) During the Employment Period, excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, (i) the Executive shall
devote all of his working time and attention to the performance of his duties
and responsibilities hereunder and shall faithfully and diligently endeavor to
promote the business and best interests of the Company, and (ii) the Executive
may not, without the prior written consent of the Company, operate, participate
in the management, operations or control of, or act as an employee, officer,
consultant, agent or representative of, any type of business or service (other
than as the President of the Company), provided that it shall not be a violation
of the foregoing for the Executive to (A) act or serve as a director, trustee,
committee member or principal of any type of business or civic or charitable
organization, or (B) manage his personal, financial and legal affairs (provided
that the activities described in clauses (A) and (B) do not interfere with the
performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company as provided
hereunder).

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           (d) Principal Place of Employment. Unless otherwise mutually agreed
upon, the Executive's principal place of employment shall be the New York
metropolitan area and the Executive shall also travel as reasonably required to
carry out his duties and obligations hereunder.

           2.  Compensation; Expenses; Benefits and Perquisites. During the
Employment Period, as compensation for the performance of the services by the
Executive, the Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation from
the Company:

           (a) Transition Bonus. Within a reasonable time after the date this
Agreement is executed, in order to assist the Executive in transitioning into
his new position and in partial consideration for lost compensation from his
former employer, the Company shall pay to the Executive a one-time transition
bonus of $1,000,000.

           (b) Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive, not less than
once a month pursuant to the Company's normal and customary payroll procedures,
a base salary at the rate of $760,000 per annum (the "Base Salary"). The Company
shall review the Executive's Base Salary annually.

           (c) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, in respect of each
fiscal year during the Employment Period, the Executive shall have an
opportunity to earn an annual bonus (the "Bonus"), which shall be paid no later
than April 30 of the next succeeding fiscal year and which shall equal 25% of
Base Salary if "threshold performance objectives" are achieved, 50% of Base
Salary if the "target performance objectives" are achieved, and 100% of Base
Salary if "stretch performance objectives" are achieved, in accordance with the
terms of the J. Crew Operating Corp. Performance Incentive Plan then existing
for such fiscal year based on the achievement of performance objectives as may
be established from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Board") or a committee thereof; provided that, the Bonus for any fiscal year
shall be payable to the Executive only if the Executive is employed by the
Company on the date on which such Bonus is paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in respect of fiscal year beginning in 2003, the Executive's Bonus shall equal
at least $400,000 (the "2003 Bonus"), which shall be payable as soon as
reasonably practicable following the Commencement Date; provided that, in the
event that the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the
Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason prior to February 1,
2004, the Executive shall immediately pay the Company an amount equal to the
2003 Bonus; and further provided that, to the extent that the Executive fails to
pay back any portion of the 2003 Bonus as provided herein, the Company shall
have the right to offset any other payment(s) provided under this Agreement or
otherwise owed to the Executive. The actual Bonus that may become payable shall
be determined by the Board in accordance with the performance objectives
established by the Board.

           (d) Long-Term Cash Incentive. The Executive shall be eligible to
receive a long-term cash incentive (the "Long-Term Incentive"), in an amount
between $800,000 and $1,200,000, with a target amount of $1,000,000, based on
the achievement of performance objectives established for the Company by the
Board, in its sole discretion. The Long-Term Incentive, if any, will be payable
as follows: (i) $400,000 on the last day of fiscal year beginning in 2003 (the

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"2003 Long-Term Incentive"), and (ii) an amount between $400,000 and $800,000,
$400,000 of which shall be paid on the last day of the fiscal year beginning in
2004 provided that the Executive remains continuously employed by the Company
through the applicable payment date (the "2004 Long-Term Incentive") and the
remaining amount, if any, shall be paid at the same time annual bonuses are
paid, but in no event later than April 30, 2005, provided the Executive remains
continuously employed through the applicable payment date.

           (e) Special Bonus. Within a reasonable time after the date this
Agreement is executed, as a special inducement to execute this Agreement and in
partial consideration for lost compensation from the Executive's former
employer, the Company shall pay to the Executive a one-time special bonus of
$1,000,000.

           (e) Business Expenses. The Company shall promptly reimburse the
Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in
connection with the performance of the services for the Company (including,
without limitation, first class airfare) upon the presentation of statements of
such expenses in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures now in
force or as such policies and procedures may be modified with respect to all
senior executive officers of the Company provided that such policies and
practices shall not affect the Executive's ability to fly first class on
business trips and the Company shall also provide the Executive with reasonable
car service as appropriate.

           (f) Employee Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs
maintained by the Company from time to time and generally available to senior
executives of the Company, including, to the extent maintained by the Company,
medical, dental, accidental and disability insurance plans and profit sharing,
pension, retirement, deferred compensation and savings plans, in accordance with
the terms and conditions thereof in effect from time to time.

           3.  Grant of Stock Options and Restricted Stock.

           (a) Initial Stock Options. Subject to shareholder approval, as soon
as reasonably practicable after the date of the Commencement Date, the Company
shall cause the Board or a committee thereof to grant to the Executive a
non-qualified option to purchase 167,378 shares of Common Stock, which
represents 0.75% of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company
as of the date hereof, at an exercise price per share equal to $6.82 per share
(the "Initial Option"). The terms and conditions of the Initial Option shall be
evidenced by a stock option agreement executed by the Company and the Executive
(the "Initial Option Agreement") which shall contain terms consistent with the
Equity Plan, this Section 3(a) and other customary terms. The Initial Option
Agreement shall provide, among other things, for the following:

               (i)  The Initial Option shall vest in equal installments on the
           second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Commencement
           Date; provided that the Executive is continuously employed by the
           Company through each such applicable anniversary date;

               (ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in the event that (x) the
           Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause (as
           defined below) or the Executive terminates his employment for Good
           Reason (as defined below) prior to the consummation of a Change in
           Control (as defined in the Equity Plan) or (y) the Executive's

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           employment is terminated on account of the Executive's death or
           Disability (as defined below) at any time during the Employment
           Period, that portion of the Initial Option that would have become
           vested and exercisable on the anniversary of the Commencement Date
           immediately following the Date of Termination (as defined below)
           shall vest and become immediately exercisable and any remaining
           portion of the Initial Option that has not become vested and
           exercisable shall immediately expire and be forfeited, (B) in the
           event that, within the two year period following the consummation of
           a Change in Control or within six months prior to a Change in Control
           if such termination is in contemplation of the Change in Control, the
           Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or the
           Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, all shares of
           Common Stock underlying the Initial Option shall become immediately
           vested and exercisable; or (C) if the Executive's employment
           terminates for any other reason, any portion of the Initial Option
           which has not become exercisable on such Date of Termination shall
           immediately expire and be forfeited; and

               (iii) Any portion of the Initial Option which has become vested
           and exercisable shall expire on the earlier of (A) the tenth
           anniversary of the date of grant, (B) the commencement of business on
           the date the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
           Cause, (C) ninety days after the date the Executive's employment is
           terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, or (D) the second
           anniversary of the date the Executive's employment is terminated (x)
           on account of the Executive's death or Disability, (y) by the Company
           without Cause, or (z) by the Executive for Good Reason.

           (b) Premium Stock Options. Subject to shareholder approval, as soon
as reasonably practicable after the Commencement Date, the Company shall cause
the Board or a committee thereof to grant to the Executive a non-qualified
option to purchase 111,585 shares of Common Stock, which represents 0.5% of the
total outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company as of the date hereof,
at an exercise price per share equal to $25.00 per share (the "Premium Option
Tranche 1") and an additional non-qualified option to purchase 111,585 shares of
Common Stock, which represents 0.5% of the total outstanding shares of Common
Stock of the Company as of the date hereof, at an exercise price per share equal
to $35.00 per share (the "Premium Option Tranche 2" and, collectively with
Premium Option Tranche 1, the "Premium Options") . The terms and conditions of
the Premium Options shall be evidenced by a stock option agreement executed by
the Company and the Executive (the "Premium Option Agreement" and, collectively
with the Initial Option Agreement, the "Option Agreements") which shall contain
terms consistent with the Equity Plan, this Section 3(b) and other customary
terms. The Premium Option Agreement shall provide, among other things, for the
following:

               (i)   The Premium Options shall vest in equal installments on the
           second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Commencement
           Date; provided that the Executive is continuously employed by the
           Company through each such applicable anniversary date;

               (ii)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in the event that (x)
           the Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or
           the Executive

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           terminates his employment for Good Reason prior to the consummation
           of a Change in Control or (y) the Executive's employment is
           terminated on account of the Executive's death or Disability at any
           time during the Employment Period, that portion of the Premium
           Options that would have become vested and exercisable on the
           anniversary of the Commencement Date immediately following the Date
           of Termination shall vest and become immediately exercisable and any
           remaining portion of the Premium Options that have not become vested
           and exercisable shall immediately expire and be forfeited, (B) in the
           event that, within the two year period following the consummation of
           a Change in Control or within six months prior to a Change in Control
           if such termination is in contemplation of the Change in Control, the
           Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or the
           Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, all shares of
           Common Stock underlying the Premium Options shall become immediately
           vested and exercisable; or (C) if the Executive's employment
           terminates for any other reason, any portion of the Premium Options
           which have not become exercisable on such Date of Termination shall
           immediately expire and be forfeited; and

               (iii) Any portion of the Premium Options which has become vested
           and exercisable shall expire on the earlier of (A) the tenth
           anniversary of the date of grant, (B) the commencement of business on
           the date the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
           Cause, (C) ninety days after the date the Executive's employment is
           terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, or (D) the second
           anniversary of the date the Executive's employment is terminated (x)
           on account of the Executive's death or Disability, (y) by the Company
           without Cause, or (z) by the Executive for Good Reason.

           (c) Restricted Stock. Subject to shareholder approval, as soon as
reasonably practicable following the Commencement Date, the Company shall grant
the Executive 111,585 restricted shares (the "Restricted Shares") of Common
Stock, which represents 0.5% of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock of
the Company as of the date hereof. The terms and conditions of the Restricted
Shares shall be evidenced by a separate restricted stock agreement executed by
the Company and the Executive (the "Restricted Stock Agreement") which shall
contain terms consistent with the Equity Plan and this Section 3(c) and other
customary terms. The Restricted Stock Agreement shall provide, among other
things, that the Restricted Shares shall vest in equal installments on the
first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the Commencement Date; provided
that the Executive is continuously employed by the Company through each such
applicable anniversary date; and further provided that, (i) in the event that
(x) the Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or the
Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason prior to the consummation of
a Change in Control or (y) the Executive's employment is terminated on account
of the Executive's death or Disability at any time during the Employment Period,
that portion of the Restricted Shares that would have become vested on the
anniversary of the Commencement Date immediately following the Date of
Termination shall vest, (ii) in the event that, within the two year period
following the consummation of a Change in Control or within six months prior to
a Change in Control if such termination is in contemplation of the Change in
Control, the Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or if
the Executive terminates his

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employment for Good Reason, all or any portion of the Restricted Shares not
previously forfeited shall vest, or (iii) if the Employment Period terminates
for any other reason, the Restricted Shares which have not vested on such Date
of Termination shall be forfeited immediately by the Executive and returned to
the Company.

           (d) Future Grants. During the Employment Period, the Executive will
be eligible to receive future grants of restricted shares of Common Stock or
options to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Equity Plan from time
to time in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Equity Plan.

           (e) Stockholders' Agreement. All shares of Common Stock and all other
securities issued in connection with this Agreement or acquired by the Executive
under this Agreement or otherwise shall be subject to the Stockholders'
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

           4.  Termination of the Employment Period.

           The Executive's employment with the Company hereunder may be
terminated during the Employment Period prior to the fifth anniversary of the
Commencement Date upon the earliest to occur of the following events (at which
time the Employment Period shall be terminated):

           (a) Death. The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
the Executive's death.

           (b) Disability. The Company shall be entitled to terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder by reason of the Executive's "Disability" if,
as a result of the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the
Executive shall have been unable to perform his duties hereunder for a period of
six (6) consecutive months or for 180 days within any 365-day period, and within
30 days after written Notice of Termination (as defined below) for Disability is
given following such 6-month or 180-day period, as the case may be, the
Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties in accordance
with this Agreement.

           (c) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall
mean: (i) the failure of the Executive to substantially perform his duties
hereunder (other than any such failure due to the Executive's Disability); (ii)
the Executive's dishonesty, gross negligence in the performance of his duties
hereunder or engaging in willful misconduct, which in the case of any such gross
negligence, has caused or is reasonably expected to result in direct or indirect
material injury (monetarily or otherwise) to the Company or any of its
affiliates; (iii) a material breach by the Executive of any provision of this
Agreement or of any other written agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliates or material violation of any Company policy applicable to the
Executive; or (iv) the Executive's indictment for a crime that constitutes a
felony or other crime of moral turpitude or fraud, provided that in the case of
clauses (i) and (iii) above, the Company shall provide written notice to the
Executive specifically identifying the conduct of the Executive which the
Company believes constitutes a reason enumerated in clause (i) or (iii) of this
Section 4(c) and, to the extent reasonably susceptible, provide the Executive a
reasonable opportunity

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(not to exceed thirty days) to remedy such violation. If, subsequent to the
Executive's termination of employment hereunder for other than Cause, it is
determined in good faith by the Company that the Executive's employment could
have been terminated for Cause hereunder, the Executive's employment shall, at
the election of the Company, be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
retroactively to the date the events giving rise to Cause occurred.

           (d) Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder
for "Good Reason," for any of the following reasons enumerated in this Section
4(d): (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent
with Section 1 hereof, or any other action by the Company that results in a
material diminution in the Executive's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities; (ii) any purported termination of the Executive's employment
by the Company for a reason or in a manner not expressly permitted by this
Agreement; (iii) relocation of the Executive's principal place of employment to
more than thirty-five (35) miles from the Executive's principal place of
employment, (iv) a material reduction in the Executive's total compensation
opportunity unless such reduction is part of a reduction applicable to a broad
class of management employees, or any other material breach of this Agreement;
or (v) while Millard Drexler is serving as the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, requiring the executive to report to someone other than Mr.
Drexler and in the event Mr. Drexler is no longer serving as the Company's
Chairman and CEO, requiring the Executive to report to someone other than the
Company's Chief Executive Officer. Termination of the Executive's employment by
the Executive pursuant to this Section 4(d) shall not be effective until the
Executive delivers to the Board a written notice specifically identifying the
conduct of the Company which he believes constitutes a reason enumerated in this
Section 4(d) and, to the extent reasonably susceptible to cure the Executive,
provides the Board at least thirty (30) days to remedy such conduct.

           (e) Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder without Cause.

           (f) Without Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment
hereunder without Good Reason, provided that the Executive provides the Company
with notice of intent to terminate without Good Reason at least thirty (30) days
in advance of the Date of Termination. The Executive and the Company shall
mutually agree on the time, method and content of any public announcement
regarding the termination of the Executive's employment hereunder and neither
the Executive nor the Company shall make any public statements which are
inconsistent with the information mutually agreed upon by the Company and the
Executive and the parties hereto shall cooperate with each other in refuting any
public statements made by other persons, which are inconsistent with the
information mutually agreed upon between the Executive and Company as described
above.

           5.  Termination Procedure.

           (a) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder by the Company or by the Executive during the Employment
Period (other than termination pursuant to Section 4(a)) shall be communicated
by written notice of termination ("Notice of Termination") to the other party
hereto in accordance with Section 12(a).

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           (b) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's death, the
date of his death, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to
Section 4(b), thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination (provided that the
Executive shall not have returned to the substantial performance of his duties
in accordance with this Agreement during such thirty (30) day period), (iii) if
the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4(f), a date
specified in the Notice of Termination which is at thirty (30) days from the
date of such notice as specified in such Section 4(f); and (iv) if the
Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason, the date on which a
Notice of Termination is given or any later date (within thirty (30) days (or
any alternative time period agreed upon by the parties) after the giving of such
notice) set forth in such Notice of Termination.

           6.  Termination Payments.

           (a) Without Cause; for Good Reason or Company's Failure to Renew. In
the event of the termination of the Executive's employment during the Employment
Period by the Company without Cause, as a result of the Company's providing
notice to the Executive of its intent not to renew the Employment Period (as
described in Section 1(a) herein) or by the Executive for Good Reason, the
Executive shall be entitled to (i) a payment, within ten (10) days following the
Date of Termination, of Base Salary through the Date of Termination (to the
extent not theretofore paid), any accrued vacation pay, any unreimbursed
business expenses, any Annual Bonus and/or Long-Term Incentive payment earned in
the fiscal year ending on or prior to the Date of Termination but not yet paid
(provided that such Annual Bonus and/or Long-Term Incentive payment shall be
paid on the date specified in Section 2(c) or Section 2(d), as applicable, if
such date is later than the tenth day following the Date of Termination)
(together, the "Accrued Obligations") and (ii) subject to the effectiveness of
the Executive's execution of a general release and waiver of all claims against
the Company, its affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a
form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and subject to the Executive's
compliance with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, (A) the
continued payment of Base Salary for the two year period following the Date of
Termination, (B) a lump sum amount equal to the product of (x) the Bonus, if
any, that he would have earned based on the performance objectives described in,
and in accordance with, Section 2(c) herein in the fiscal year which includes
the Date of Termination had his employment not been terminated and (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the calendar year that
includes the Date of Termination through the Date of Termination and the
denominator of which is 365, and (C) the immediate vesting of that portion of
the Restricted Shares, Initial Options and Premium Options that would have
become vested on the anniversary of the Commencement Date immediately following
the Date of Termination, provided that if such termination occurs after the
consummation of a Change in Control or within six months prior to a Change in
Control if such termination is in contemplation of the Change in Control, all
Restricted Shares, Initial Options and Premium Options not previously vested
shall become immediately vested; provided that, for any such termination of the
Executive's employment prior to third anniversary of the Commencement Date, in
no event will the Executive receive less than $2,000,000 in cash severance. The
Company shall have no additional obligations under this Agreement.

           (b) Cause, Death, Disability or Without Good Reason. If the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated during the Employment
Period by the Company for Cause, by the Executive without Good Reason, or as a
result of the Executive's death or Disability, the Company shall pay the Accrued
Obligations to the Executive (or his estate in the event of his death) within
thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination and in the case of

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(i) a termination on account of death or Disability, the Executive or the
Executive's estate, as applicable, shall be entitled to the additional vesting
of Options and Restricted Shares as provided in Sections 3(a), (b) and (c)
herein or (ii) a termination by the Executive without Good Reason after the
fifth anniversary of the Commencement Date, the Executive shall be entitled to
any Bonus earned in the fiscal year ended immediately prior to the Date of
Termination. The Company shall have no additional obligations under this
Agreement.

           7.  Indemnification.

           The Company agrees that if the Executive is made a party or
threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (a "Proceeding"), other than any
Proceeding related to any contest or dispute between the Executive and the
Company or any of its affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the
employment of the Executive hereunder, by reason of the fact that the Executive
is or was a director or officer of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company
or is or was serving at the request of the Company, as a director, officer,
member, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, the Executive shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law.

           8.  Non-Solicitation.

           During the Employment Period and for a period of one year following
the Date of Termination, the Executive hereby agrees not to, directly or
indirectly, for his own account or for the account of any other person or
entity, (i) solicit or hire or assist any other person or entity in soliciting
or hiring any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates
to perform any services for any entity (other than the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates), attempt to induce any such employee to leave the
employ of the Company or any affiliates of the Company, or otherwise interfere
with or adversely modify such employee's relationship with the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) induce any employee of the Company who is a
member of management to engage in any activity which the Executive is prohibited
from engaging in under any of Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Agreement, or (iii)
solicit or assist any other person or entity in soliciting or attempting to
solicit any suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to
terminate or otherwise adversely modify their relationship with the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, provided that nothing herein shall
prohibit the Executive from recruiting his personal administrative assistant.
For purposes of this Agreement, "employee" shall mean any natural person any
where in the world who is employed by or otherwise engaged to perform services
for the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates on the Date of
Termination or during the one-year period preceding the Date of Termination.

           9.  Non-Compete.

           In connection with the services of the Executive performed under this
Agreement, the Executive hereby agrees that, during the Employment Period and
for the six-month period following any termination of the employment of the
Executive (other than a termination by the Company without Cause, by the
Executive for Good Reason or by the Executive for any reason following a Change
in Control), the Executive shall not become associated with any entity, whether
as a principal, partner, employee, consultant or shareholder (other than as a
holder of a

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passive investment of not in excess of 5% of the outstanding voting shares of
any publicly traded company), that is actively engaged in the retail apparel
business in any geographic area in which the Company or its affiliates are
engaged in such business.

           10. Confidentiality; Non-Disclosure.

           (a) The Executive hereby agrees that, during the Employment Period
and thereafter, he will hold in strict confidence any proprietary or
Confidential Information related to the Company and its affiliates. For purposes
of this Agreement, the term "Confidential Information" shall mean all
information of the Company or any of its affiliates (in whatever form) which is
not generally known to the public, including without limitation any inventions,
processes, methods of distribution or customers' or trade secrets.

           (b) The Executive hereby agrees that, upon the termination of the
Employment Period, he shall not take, without the prior written consent of the
Company, any drawing, blueprint, specification or other document (in whatever
form) of the Company or its affiliates, which is of a confidential nature
relating to the Company or its affiliates, or, without limitation, relating to
its or their methods of distribution, or any description of any formulas or
secret processes and will return any such information (in whatever form) then in
him possession.

           11. Injunctive Relief.

           It is impossible to measure in money the damages that will accrue to
the Company in the event that the Executive breaches any of the restrictive
covenants provided in Sections 8, 9 or 10 hereof. In the event that the
Executive breaches any such restrictive covenant, the Company shall be entitled
to an injunction restraining the Executive from violating such restrictive
covenant. If the Company shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce any
such restrictive covenant, the Executive hereby waives the claim or defense that
the Company has an adequate remedy at law and agrees not to assert in any such
action or proceeding the claim or defense that the Company has an adequate
remedy at law. The foregoing shall not prejudice the Company's right to require
the Executive to account for and pay over to the Company, and the Executive
hereby agrees to account for and pay over, the compensation, profits, monies,
accruals or other benefits derived or received by the Executive, directly or
indirectly, as a result of any transaction constituting a breach of any of the
restrictive covenants provided in Sections 8, 9 or 10 hereof.

           12. Miscellaneous.

           (a) Any notice or other communication required or permitted under
this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and delivered
personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed
as follows (or if it is sent through any other method agreed upon by the
parties):

           If to the Company:

           J. Crew Group, Inc.
           770 Broadway

                                       10

<PAGE>

           New York, NY 10003
           Attention: Board of Directors and Secretary

           with a copy to:

           Paul Shim, Esq.
           Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
           One Liberty Plaza
           New York, NY 10006

           If to the Executive:

           To the address on file at the Company

           with a copy to:

           Lanny A. Oppenheim, Esq.
           Salans
           620 Fifth Avenue
           New York, NY 10020

or to such other address as any party hereto may designate by notice to the
others, and shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt.

           (b)  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the
parties hereto with respect to the employment of the Executive and supersedes
and is in full substitution for any and all prior understandings or agreements
with respect to such employment.

           (c)  This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing
signed by the parties hereto, and any provision hereof may be waived only by an
instrument in writing signed by the party or parties against whom or which
enforcement of such waiver is sought. The failure of any party hereto at any
time to require the performance by any other party hereto of any provision
hereof shall in no way affect the full right to require such performance at any
time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any
provision hereof be taken or held to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of
such provision or a waiver of the provision itself or a waiver of any other
provision of this Agreement.

           (d)  (i) This Agreement is binding on and is for the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators
and other legal representatives. Neither this Agreement nor any right or
obligation hereunder may be assigned by the Company or the Executive.

           (ii) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no

                                       11

<PAGE>

such succession had taken place. As used in the Agreement, the "Company" shall
mean both the Company as defined above and any such successor that assumes and
agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

           (e) If any provision of this Agreement or portion thereof is so
broad, in scope or duration, so as to be unenforceable, such provision or
portion thereof shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

           (f) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable to the
Executive hereunder all federal, state, city or other taxes that the Company may
reasonably determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law
or regulation.

           (g) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of NEW YORK, without reference to its principles of
conflicts of law.

           (h) The Executive hereby represents to the Company that he has full
power and authority to enter into this Agreement that the execution of, and
performance of duties under, this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of or
otherwise violate any other agreement to which the Executive is a party.

           (i) The Executive hereby represents to the Company that he will not
utilize or disclose any confidential information obtained by the Executive in
connection with his former employment with respect to his duties and
responsibilities hereunder, and the Company will not ask the Executive to do so.

           (j) This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the
same instrument.

           (k) The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall not be a part of or control or affect the meaning of
any provision hereof.

                                       12

<PAGE>

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.

                                           J. CREW GROUP, INC.

                                           _______________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                           J. CREW OPERATING CORP.

                                           _______________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                           _______________________________
                                           JEFFREY A. PFEIFLE

                                       13<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.11

                                                                  Execution Copy

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT, dated this 27th day of January, 2003 (this "Agreement"),
among J. Crew Group, Inc., a New York Corporation (the "Parent") and its
operating subsidiary J. Crew Operating Corp. (collectively with the Parent, the
"Company"), with offices at 770 Broadway, New York, New York, and Scott
Gilbertson (the "Executive").

         l.  Term; Position and Responsibilities; Principal Work Location.

         (a) Term. Unless the Employment Period (as defined below) is terminated
earlier pursuant to Section 4 hereof, the Company shall engage the Executive on
the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement for a five-year term
commencing on January 27, 2003 (the "Commencement Date") and ending on the day
immediately preceding the fifth anniversary of the Commencement Date (the
"Initial Term"). Effective upon the expiration of the Initial Term and of each
Additional Term (as defined below), the Employment Period hereunder shall be
deemed to be automatically extended, upon the same terms and conditions for an
additional period of one year (each, an "Additional Term"), in each such case,
commencing upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current
Additional Term, as the case may be, unless the Company or the Executive, at
least three months prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or such
Additional Term, shall give written notice to the other party of its intention
not to extend the Employment Period (as defined below) hereunder. The period
during which the Executive is employed by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement, including any extension thereof in accordance with the preceding
sentence, shall be referred to as the "Employment Period."

         (b) Position and Responsibilities. During the Employment Period, the
Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive as the Chief Operating Officer and
in such other position or positions with the Company as the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company (the "Chairman & CEO") may specify from time to
time. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall perform the duties and
responsibilities that are customarily assigned to individuals serving in such
position or positions and such other duties and responsibilities as the Chairman
& CEO may reasonably specify from time to time.

         (c) During the Employment Period, excluding any periods of vacation and
sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, (i) the Executive shall devote
all of his working time and attention to the performance of his duties and
responsibilities hereunder and shall faithfully and diligently endeavor to
promote the business and best interests of the Company, and (ii) the Executive
may not, without the prior written consent of the Company, operate, participate
in the management, operations or control of, or act as an employee, officer,
consultant, agent or representative of, any type of business or service (other
than as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company), provided that it shall not
be a violation of the foregoing for the Executive to (A) act or serve as a
director, trustee, committee member or principal of any type of business or
civic or charitable organization, or (B) manage his personal, financial and
legal affairs (provided that the activities described in clauses (A) and (B) do
not interfere with the performance of his duties and responsibilities to the
Company as provided hereunder).

<PAGE>

         (d) Principal Place of Employment. Unless otherwise mutually agreed
upon, the Executive's principal place of employment shall be the New York
metropolitan area and the Executive shall also travel as reasonably required to
carry out his duties and obligations hereunder.

         2.  Compensation; Expenses; Benefits and Perquisites. During the
Employment Period, as compensation for the performance of the services by the
Executive, the Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation from
the Company:

         (a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive, not less than
once a month pursuant to the Company's normal and customary payroll procedures,
a base salary at the rate of $450,000 per annum (the "Base Salary").

         (b) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, in respect of each
fiscal year during the Employment Period, the Executive shall have an
opportunity to earn an annual bonus (the "Bonus"), which shall equal 35% of Base
Salary if "threshold performance objectives" are achieved, 70% of Base Salary if
"target performance objectives" are achieved, and 140% of Base Salary if
"stretch performance objectives" are achieved, in accordance with the terms of
the J. Crew Operating Corp. Performance Incentive Plan then existing for such
fiscal year based on the achievement of performance objectives as may be
established from time to time by the Board or a committee thereof; provided that
the Bonus paid with respect to services provided by the Executive during
calendar year 2003 shall not be less than $250,000, of which $75,000 shall be
paid to the Executive as soon as practicable after the Commencement Date; and
provided further that the Bonus for any fiscal year shall be payable to the
Executive only if the Executive is employed by the Company on the date on which
such Bonus is paid. The actual Bonus that may become payable shall be determined
by the Board, in its sole discretion.

         (c) Business Expenses. The Company shall promptly reimburse the
Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in
connection with the performance of the services for the Company upon the
presentation of statements of such expenses in accordance with the Company's
policies and procedures now in force or as such policies and procedures may be
modified with respect to all senior executive officers of the Company.

         (d) Employee Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs
maintained by the Company from time to time and generally available to senior
executives of the Company, including, to the extent maintained by the Company,
medical, dental, accidental and disability insurance plans and profit sharing,
pension, retirement, deferred compensation and savings plans, in accordance with
the terms and conditions thereof in effect from time to time.

         (e) Relocation Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to the
Company's standard relocation package pursuant to the Company's Relocation
Policy.

         3.  Grant of Stock Options and Restricted Stock.

         (a) Initial Stock Options. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
date of the Commencement Date, the Company shall cause the Board or a committee
thereof to grant to

                                        2

<PAGE>

the Executive a non-qualified option to purchase 111,585 shares of Common Stock
at an exercise price per share equal to $6.82 per share (the "Initial Option").
The terms and conditions of the Initial Option shall be evidenced by a separate
stock option agreement executed by the Company and the Executive (the "Initial
Option Agreement") which shall contain terms consistent with the 2003 Equity
Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time (the "Equity Plan"), this
Section 3(a) and other customary terms. The Initial Option Agreement shall
provide, among other things, for the following:

             (i)   The Initial Option shall vest in equal installments on the
         second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Commencement Date;
         provided that the Executive is continuously employed by the Company
         through each such applicable anniversary date;

             (ii)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in the event that the
         Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or the
         Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason prior to the
         consummation of a Change in Control (as defined in the Equity Plan),
         that portion of the Initial Option that would have become vested and
         exercisable on the next applicable anniversary of the Commencement Date
         following the Date of Termination (as defined below) shall vest and
         become immediately exercisable and any remaining portion of the Initial
         Option that has not become vested and exercisable shall immediately
         expire and be forfeited, (B) in the event that, within the two year
         period following the consummation of a Change in Control, the Company
         terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or the Executive
         terminates his employment for Good Reason, all shares of Common Stock
         underlying the Initial Option shall become immediately vested and
         exercisable; or (C) if the Executive's employment terminates for any
         other reason, any portion of the Initial Option which has not become
         exercisable on such Date of Termination shall immediately expire and be
         forfeited; and

             (iii) Any portion of the Initial Option which has become vested and
         exercisable shall expire on the earlier of (A) the tenth anniversary of
         the date of grant, (B) the commencement of business on the date the
         Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, (C)
         ninety days after the date the Executive's employment is terminated by
         the Executive without Good Reason, or (D) the second anniversary of the
         date the Executive's employment is terminated (x) on account of the
         Executive's death or Disability, (y) by the Company without Cause, or
         (z) by the Executive for Good Reason.

         (b) Premium Stock Options. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
Commencement Date, the Company shall cause the Board or a committee thereof to
grant to the Executive a non-qualified option to purchase 66,951 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to $25.00 per share (the
"Premium Option Tranche 1") and an additional non-qualified option to purchase
66,951 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to $35.00 per
share (the "Premium Option Tranche 2" and, collectively with Premium Option
Tranche 1, the "Premium Options") . The terms and conditions of the Premium
Options shall be evidenced by a separate stock option agreement executed by the
Company and the

                                        3

<PAGE>

Executive (the "Premium Option Agreement" and, collectively with the Initial
Option Agreement, the "Option Agreements") which shall contain terms consistent
with the Equity Plan, this Section 3(b) and other customary terms. The Premium
Option Agreement shall provide, among other things, for the following:

             (i)   The Premium Options shall vest in equal installments on the
         second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Commencement Date;
         provided that the Executive is continuously employed by the Company
         through each such applicable anniversary date;

             (ii)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in the event that the
         Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or the
         Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason prior to the
         consummation of a Change in Control (as defined in the Equity Plan),
         that portion of the Premium Options that would have become vested and
         exercisable on the next applicable anniversary of the Commencement Date
         following the Date of Termination (as defined below) shall vest and
         become immediately exercisable and any remaining portion of the Premium
         Options that have not become vested and exercisable shall immediately
         expire and be forfeited, (B) in the event that, within the two year
         period following the consummation of a Change in Control, the Company
         terminates the Executive's employment without Cause or the Executive
         terminates his employment for Good Reason, all shares of Common Stock
         underlying the Premium Options shall become immediately vested and
         exercisable; or (C) if the Executive's employment terminates for any
         other reason, any portion of the Premium Options which have not become
         exercisable on such Date of Termination shall immediately expire and be
         forfeited; and

             (iii) Any portion of the Premium Options which has become vested
         and exercisable shall expire on the earlier of (A) the tenth
         anniversary of the date of grant, (B) the commencement of business on
         the date the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
         Cause, (C) ninety days after the date the Executive's employment is
         terminated by the Executive without Good Reason, or (D) the second
         anniversary of the date the Executive's employment is terminated (x) on
         account of the Executive's death or Disability, (y) by the Company
         without Cause, or (z) by the Executive for Good Reason.

         (c) Restricted Stock. As soon as reasonably practicable following the
Commencement Date, the Company shall grant the Executive 111,585 restricted
shares (the "Restricted Shares") of Common Stock. The terms and conditions of
the Restricted Shares shall be evidenced by a separate restricted stock
agreement executed by the Company and the Executive (the "Restricted Stock
Agreement") which shall contain terms consistent with the Equity Plan and this
Section 3(c) and other customary terms. The Restricted Stock Agreement shall
provide, among other things, that the Restricted Shares shall vest in equal
installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of
grant; provided that the Executive is continuously employed by the Company
through each such applicable anniversary date; and further provided that, (i) in
the event that the Company terminates the Executive's employment without Cause
or the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason prior to the

                                        4

<PAGE>

consummation of a Change in Control, that portion of the Restricted Shares that
would have become vested on the next applicable anniversary date following the
Date of Termination shall vest, (ii) in the event that, within the two year
period following the consummation of a Change in Control, the Company terminates
the Executive's employment without Cause or the Executive terminates his
employment for Good Reason, all or any portion of the Restricted Shares not
previously forfeited shall vest, or (iii) if the Employment Period terminates
for any other reason, the Restricted Shares which have not vested on such Date
of Termination shall be forfeited immediately by the Executive and returned to
the Company.

         (d) Stockholders' Agreement. All shares of Common Stock and all other
securities issued in connection with this Agreement or acquired by the Executive
under this Agreement or otherwise shall be subject to the Stockholders'
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

         4.  Termination of the Employment Period.

         The Executive's employment with the Company hereunder may be terminated
during the Employment Period prior to the fifth anniversary of the Commencement
Date upon the earliest to occur of the following events (at which time the
Employment Period shall be terminated):

         (a) Death. The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
the Executive's death.

         (b) Disability. The Company shall be entitled to terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder by reason of the Executive's "Disability" if,
as a result of the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the
Executive shall have been unable to perform his duties hereunder for a period of
6 consecutive months or for 180 days within any 365-day period, and within 30
days after written Notice of Termination (as defined below) for Disability is
given following such 6-month or 180-day period, as the case may be, the
Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his duties in accordance
with this Agreement.

         (c) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
hereunder for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall
mean: (i) the failure of the Executive to substantially perform his duties
hereunder (other than any such failure due to the Executive's Disability); (ii)
the Executive's dishonesty, gross negligence in the performance of his duties
hereunder or engaging in willful misconduct, which in the case of any such gross
negligence, has caused or is reasonably expected to result in direct or indirect
material injury (monetarily or otherwise) to the Company or any of its
affiliates; (iii) a material breach by the Executive of any provision of this
Agreement or of any other written agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliates or a material violation of any Company policy applicable to the
Executive; or (iv) the Executive's commission of a crime that constitutes a
felony or other crime of moral turpitude or fraud. If, subsequent to the
Executive's termination of employment hereunder for other than Cause, it is
determined in good faith by the Company that the Executive's employment could
have been terminated for Cause hereunder, the Executive's employment shall, at
the election of the Company, be deemed to have been terminated for Cause
retroactively to the date the events giving rise to Cause occurred.

                                        5

<PAGE>

         (d) Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder
for "Good Reason," for any of the following reasons enumerated in this Section
4(d): (1) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent
with Section 1 hereof, or any other action by the Company that results in a
material diminution in the Executive's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities; (2) any purported termination of the Executive's employment by
the Company for a reason or in a manner not expressly permitted by this
Agreement; (3) relocation of the Executive's principal place of employment to
more than fifty (50) miles from the Executive's principal place of employment,
(4) a material reduction in the Executive's total compensation opportunity
unless such reduction is part of a reduction applicable to a broad class of
management employees, or any other material breach of this Agreement.
Termination of the Executive's employment by the Executive pursuant to this
Section 4(d) shall not be effective until the Executive delivers to the Board a
written notice specifically identifying the conduct of the Company which he
believes constitutes a reason enumerated in this Section 4(d) and the Executive
provides the Board at least thirty (30) days to remedy such conduct.

         (e) Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
hereunder without Cause.

         (f) Without Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment
hereunder without Good Reason, provided that the Executive provides the Company
with notice of intent to terminate without Good Reason at least three months in
advance of the Date of Termination. The Executive and the Company shall mutually
agree on the time, method and content of any public announcement regarding the
termination of the Executive's employment hereunder and neither the Executive
nor the Company shall make any public statements which are inconsistent with the
information mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Executive, and the
parties hereto shall cooperate with each other in refuting any public statements
made by other persons which are inconsistent with the information mutually
agreed upon between the Executive and Company as described above.

         5.  Termination Procedure.

         (a) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder by the Company or by the Executive during the Employment
Period (other than termination pursuant to Section 4(a)) shall be communicated
by written notice of termination ("Notice of Termination") to the other party
hereto in accordance with Section 12(a).

         (b) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's death, the
date of his death, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to
Section 4(b), thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination (provided that the
Executive shall not have returned to the substantial performance of his duties
in accordance with this Agreement during such thirty (30) day period), (iii) if
the Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4(f), a date
specified in the Notice of Termination which is at least three (3) months from
the date of such notice as specified in such Section 4(f); and (iv) if the
Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason, the date on which a
Notice of Termination is given or any later date (within thirty (30) days (or

                                        6

<PAGE>

any alternative time period agreed upon by the parties) after the giving of such
notice) set forth in such Notice of Termination.

         6.  Termination Payments.

         (a) Without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event of the termination
of the Executive's employment during the Employment Period by the Company
without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason prior to the consummation of a
Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to (i) a payment, within ten
(10) days following the Date of Termination, of Base Salary through the Date of
Termination (to the extent not theretofore paid), any accrued vacation pay, and
any unreimbursed expenses under Sections 2(c) and (d) (the "Accrued
Obligations") and (ii) subject to the effectiveness of the Executive's execution
of a general release and waiver of all claims against the Company, its
affiliates and their respective officers and directors in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and subject to the Executive's compliance with the
terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, (A) the continued payment of
Base Salary for the eighteen-month period following the Date of Termination, (B)
a lump sum amount equal to the product of (x) the Bonus, if any, that he would
have earned in the calendar year which includes the Date of Termination had his
employment not been terminated and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days in the calendar year that includes the Date of Termination
through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365, and (C) the
immediate vesting of that portion of the Restricted Shares, Initial Options and
Premium Options that would have become vested on the next applicable anniversary
of the Commencement Date following the Date of Termination on which the next
tranche of Initial Options, Premium Options and Restricted Shares would have
vested, provided that if such termination occurs after the consummation of a
Change in Control, all Restricted Shares, Initial Options and Premium Options
not previously vested shall become immediately vested. The Company shall have no
additional obligations under this Agreement.

         (b) Cause, Death, Disability or Without Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated during the Employment Period by the
Company for Cause, by the Executive without Good Reason, or as a result of the
Executive's death or Disability, the Company shall pay the Accrued Obligations
to the Executive (or his estate in the event of his death) within thirty (30)
days following the Date of Termination. The Company shall have no additional
obligations under this Agreement.

         7.  Indemnification.

         The Company agrees that if the Executive is made a party or threatened
to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (a "Proceeding"), other than any Proceeding
related to any contest or dispute between the Executive and the Company or any
of its affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the employment of the
Executive hereunder, by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was a
director or officer of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company or is or
was serving at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, member,
employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Company to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law.

                                        7

<PAGE>

         8.  Non-Solicitation.

         During the Employment Period and for a period of two years following
the Date of Termination, the Executive hereby agrees not to, directly or
indirectly, for his own account or for the account of any other person or
entity, (i) solicit or hire or assist any other person or entity in soliciting
or hiring any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates
to perform any services for any entity (other than the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates), attempt to induce any such employee to leave the
employ of the Company or any affiliates of the Company, or otherwise interfere
with or adversely modify such employee's relationship with the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) induce any employee of the Company who is a
member of management to engage in any activity in which the Executive is
prohibited from engaging under any of Sections 8, 9 or 10, or (iii) solicit or
assist any other person or entity in soliciting or attempting to solicit any
customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates
to terminate or otherwise adversely modify their relationship with the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement,
"employee" shall mean any natural person anywhere in the world who is employed
by or otherwise engaged to perform services for the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates on the Date of Termination or during the one-year
period preceding the Date of Termination.

         9.  Non-Compete.

         In connection with the services of the Executive performed under this
Agreement, the Executive hereby agrees that, during the Employment Period and
for the one year period following any termination of the employment of the
Executive (other than a termination by the Company without Cause or by the
Executive for Good Reason), the Executive shall not become associated with any
entity, whether as a principal, partner, employee, consultant or shareholder
(other than as a holder of a passive investment not in excess of 5% of the
outstanding voting shares of any publicly traded company), that is actively
engaged in the retail apparel business in any geographic area in which the
Company or its affiliates are engaged in such business.

         10. Confidentiality; Non-Disclosure.

         (a) The Executive hereby agrees that, during the Employment Period and
thereafter, he will hold in strict confidence any proprietary or Confidential
Information related to the Company and its affiliates. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Confidential Information" shall mean all information of the
Company or any of its affiliates (in whatever form) which is not generally known
to the public, including without limitation any inventions, processes, methods
of distribution or customers' secrets or trade secrets.

         (b) The Executive hereby agrees that, upon the termination of the
Employment Period, he shall not take, without the prior written consent of the
Company, any drawing, blueprint, specification or other document (in whatever
form) of the Company or its affiliates, which is of a confidential nature
relating to the Company or its affiliates, or, without limitation, relating to
its or their methods of distribution, or any description of any formulas or
secret processes and will return any such information (in whatever form) then in
his possession.

                                        8

<PAGE>

         11. Injunctive Relief.

         It is impossible to measure in money the damages that will accrue to
the Company in the event that the Executive breaches any of the restrictive
covenants provided in Sections 8, 9 or 10 hereof. In the event that the
Executive breaches any such restrictive covenant, the Company shall be entitled
to an injunction restraining the Executive from violating such restrictive
covenant. If the Company shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce any
such restrictive covenant, the Executive hereby waives the claim or defense that
the Company has an adequate remedy at law and agrees not to assert in any such
action or proceeding the claim or defense that the Company has an adequate
remedy at law. The foregoing shall not prejudice the Company's right to require
the Executive to account for and pay over to the Company, and the Executive
hereby agrees to account for and pay over, the compensation, profits, monies,
accruals or other benefits derived or received by the Executive, directly or
indirectly, as a result of any transaction constituting a breach of any of the
restrictive covenants provided in Sections 8, 9 or 10.

         12. Miscellaneous.

         (a) Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this
Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and delivered personally
or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows
(or if it is sent through any other method agreed upon by the parties):

         If to the Company:

         J. Crew Group, Inc.
         770 Broadway
         New York, NY 10003
         Attention: Board of Directors and Secretary

         with a copy to:

         Paul Shim, Esq.
         Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
         One Liberty Plaza
         New York, NY 10006

         If to the Executive:

         At the address on file in the Company's files.

or to such other address as any party hereto may designate by notice to the
others, and shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt.

         (b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties
hereto with respect to the employment of the Executive and supersedes and is in
full substitution for any and all prior understandings or agreements with
respect to such employment.

                                        9

<PAGE>

         (c)  This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing
signed by the parties hereto, and any provision hereof may be waived only by an
instrument in writing signed by the party or parties against whom or which
enforcement of such waiver is sought. The failure of any party hereto at any
time to require the performance by any other party hereto of any provision
hereof shall in no way affect the full right to require such performance at any
time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any
provision hereof be taken or held to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of
such provision or a waiver of the provision itself or a waiver of any other
provision of this Agreement.

         (d)  (i) This Agreement is binding on and is for the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators
and other legal representatives. Neither this Agreement nor any right or
obligation hereunder may be assigned by the Company or the Executive.

         (ii) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place. As used in the Agreement, the "Company" shall mean
both the Company as defined above and any such successor that assumes and agrees
to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

         (e)  If any provision of this Agreement or portion thereof is so broad,
in scope or duration, so as to be unenforceable, such provision or portion
thereof shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

         (f)  The Company may withhold from any amounts payable to the Executive
hereunder all federal, state, city or other taxes that the Company may
reasonably determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law
or regulation.

         (g)  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of NEW YORK, without reference to its principles of
conflicts of law.

         (h)  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the
same instrument.

         (i)  The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall not be a part of or control or affect the meaning of
any provision hereof.

                                       10

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.

                                               J. CREW GROUP, INC.

                                               _______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:

                                               J. CREW OPERATING CORP.

                                               _______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:

                                               _______________________________
                                               SCOTT GILBERTSON

                                       11

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