SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 17, 2003 Commission Registrant, State of Incorporation I.R.S. Employer File Number Address and Telephone Number Identification No. 333-42427 J. CREW GROUP, INC. 22-2894486 - --------- ---------- (Incorporated in New York) 770 Broadway New York, New York 10003 Telephone: (212) 209-2500 333-42423 J. CREW OPERATING CORP. 22-3540930 - --------- ---------- (Incorporated in Delaware) 770 Broadway New York, New York 10003 Telephone: (212) 209-2500

Item 5. Other Events On April 17, 2003, at a duly convened special meeting, the shareholders of J. Crew Group, Inc. (the "Company") duly approved the capital contribution of all of the outstanding common shares of J. Crew Operating Corp. held by the Company to J. Crew Intermediate LLC, its newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary ("Intermediate"). Pursuant to the shareholders' approval, the Company made the capital contribution to Intermediate on April 17, 2003. The capital contribution was made in connection with an exchange offer and consent solicitation (the "Exchange Offer") relating to the outstanding 13 1/8% Senior Discount Debentures due 2008 issued by the Company for Intermediate's 16.0% Senior Discount Contingent Principal Notes due 2008. The Exchange Offer was successfully consummated on May 6, 2003. 2

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. J. CREW GROUP, INC. J. CREW OPERATING CORP. By /s/ Scott M. Rosen ----------------------------------------- Name: Scott M. Rosen Title: Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Date: May 13, 2003 3