Photo by Jessica Monte.
I was thrilled to hear
Jenna Ushkowitz, who plays character Tina Cohen-Chang Fox’s uber-popular Glee, would be
designing a special line for the junior line Wallflower to be sold at Boston
Store. Of course, the Fashionista had to interview her about it!
In the newly renovated Boston Store at Southridge Mall,
excited fans waited to see Jenna show her line at the Wallflower Fashion Show.
There were even tryouts for young, soon-to-be models.
On my
way to the interview, I couldn’t help but stop at the new and improved shoe
section (a weakness), and marvel at the large makeup and fragrance counters that had flat screens displaying the latest fashions.
There was buzz as Jenna arrived, and I was first in line
to interview her. Here’s what I learned:
Fashionista: Love the line! Where did you draw your
inspiration from?
Jenna Ushkowitz: It was so much of a
collaboration. So much of it was inspired by my own style, and Wallflower
seeing the way I dress. I was able to pick out a couple of really cute pieces of
things I would wear and that are very versatile. I like to dress in things that
are very cute and comfy.
F: What exactly is your personal style?
J: Cute and comfy. Anything I feel comfortable in. Everyone’s
body type is so specific, so it was really important that there were pieces in
the line that everyone could wear and feel comfortable in.
F: Do you have a certain style icon that you look up to?
J: It’s really funny – everyone asks me that and I don’t. I
see certain pieces I like on people and I sort of just put it together and make
it my own. We all dress in a style that best flatters our body type, like a
certain fit of jeans. So I guess that’s sort of how I work, I try and buy
things that work with what I already have in my closet.
Photo courtesy of Bon Ton.
F: Will you be designing more with Wallflower in the future?
J: I hope so! We will see how people react to this line, as
it’s JUST launching now. But I really hope so.
F: Are you allowed to wear any of your designs on Glee?
J: Honestly, I don’t know if Tina would wear these things. Tina and I are such different characters. A lot of her styles are something I
wouldn’t wear, and she wouldn’t wear what I like.
F: What are the huge differences between you and your
character Tina’s style?
J: She wears a lot of layered necklaces, and lace, dark
clothing, ripped shirts, fingerless gloves with blue nail polish, you know? She’s
sort of evolved more into my style recently, as she matures on the show. So now
she’s wearing fitted dresses and more color, which I would wear.
F: As a hairstylist, I have to ask are you able to keep the
hair you have now for the show? (She has beautiful caramel highlights.)
J: This one just sort of worked out! So yes! Usually I would
have colored extensions and pieces in for the show. Last year I decided that no
girl in high school would keep her hair the same the entire time. So the
producers were really responsive to allowing us to evolve our characters on our
own.
F: Do you have any favorite products or beauty routines you
swear by?
J: Moisturizing. I love my gommage! It’s a gel that
exfoliates off all the dead skin and you feel so smooth after.
F: Anything else you wanted to let people know about the
line?
J: I just really hope people like it.
Photo courtesy of Bon Ton.
