On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Fairfield Dolan hosted Jay McLaughlin ’70, co-founder of the iconic fashion brand J.McLaughlin. He discussed building a business, standing out in the fashion industry, and how his Fairfield experience gave him the confidence to open his first store with his brother.
Speaking to a full audience of entrepreneurial-minded students and community members, McLaughlin centered his advice on how to build and sustain a brand. He emphasized the importance of making products feel personalized and relevant, while remaining true to a company’s identity. Differentiation, he explained, is essential in fashion, pointing to the more than 300 prints and colors his brand develops each year to keep collections fresh and closely connected to buyers.
Equally important, McLaughlin said, is knowing your target audience and meeting them where they “live, work, and play.” This philosophy has guided J.McLaughlin’s expansion into communities such as Florida, Connecticut, and Massachusetts—places where customers of the brand spend their time. For McLaughlin, it also extends into real estate ventures such as small-town shopping centers that feature restaurants and boutiques designed to create a lifestyle experience aligned with the J.McLaughlin brand.
The American sportswear brand J.McLaughlin includes a catalog, website, and more than 180 tastefully designed stores in downtown neighborhood locations across the nation, including Fairfield's historic village community of Southport, Conn.
For Fairfield Dolan students, the key takeaways were clear: confidence and hunger for success can be as powerful. McLaughlin also reminded his audience that career paths are rarely linear. He began his own career in real estate before pivoting to fashion, emphasizing that young professionals shouldn’t feel tied to one path. Instead, he encouraged them to pursue what they are passionate about, stay open to new opportunities, and "think big" while starting small.
“Fairfield was the real influence on me,” said McLaughlin, describing how he came into his own, gained self-confidence, and made life-long friends during his college years.
Moderated by Dean Zhan Li, DBA, the Fairfield Dolan Dean’s Executive Forum engages thought leaders and distinguished executives to discuss issues that have profound impacts on business and society. Read more about Jay McLaughlin in the fall 2025 issue of Fairfield University Magazine, now available online and in print.
