Jenna Lyons reflects on her status as a fashion icon.
Despite the fact that he made a sensation The Real Housewives of New York (not to mention her status as a style designer from her days as J. Crew’s creative director), the 56-year-old says designers aren’t asking to dress her for the Bravo reality show.
“I think designers often want to dress you head to toe, and I don’t really wear anything head to toe, so I’m usually not the perfect person for that,” Lyons tells PEOPLE. “I’m also like I’m not 22 and hot anymore. It’s like that moment has passed.”
Entrepreneur, who joined RHONY in season 14, she’s long been known for her distinct sense of style and is easily recognized by her bold black-rimmed glasses. “My favorite thing is looking through old photos and going, ‘Wow, I thought that was cute,'” Lyons tells PEOPLE about with your fashion choices “But if you don’t take risks, you don’t receive any rewards. I don’t know. I think fashion risks are fun… I feel like people are so worried about the rules.”
She continued: “I also think everyone is so judgmental. It’s like, ‘I’m sorry. Can we please just have a little fun?'”
The Real Housewives of New York Season 14 Reunion.
Clifton Prescod/Bravo
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In October 2023, Lyons caused a stir on social media by wearing a pair of Levi’s jeans to RHONY season 14 reunion — a twist from the typical gowns and cocktail attire worn by the rest of the cast at previous reunions.
All about the actors of ‘The Real Housewives of New York’ and their partners
“The reunion — yes, I wore jeans and I’m not sorry,” Lyons wrote in an Instagram video at the time. The star wore a black Saint Laurent jacket, a clear Thom Browne buckle and a black Saint Laurent tie with the jeans, according to Bravo, which had the exclusive details.
She completed the look with Dries Van Noten heels, Ultimate Diamond jewels and brown glasses.
The following month, Lyons told PEOPLE that he “didn’t think” about the controversial look.
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“I’m just shocked and amazed at the attention it’s gotten. I didn’t know it would be so controversial, it wasn’t intentional. I’m also like, first of all, who cares? And second, this idea that I couldn’t wear them to a reunion or that I was somehow a failure — who made the rules? Does anyone really want me to step out in a full length sparkly dress? Really? I don’t think that’s what you want from me,” she said of the rumor.
Lyons will return to RHONY for Season 15, which premieres on Bravo on October 1. She joins cast members Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield and Racquel Chevremont — all of whom joined when the network rebooted the series in 2022.
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Source: HIS Education