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If you’re new to the world of Jenna Lyons, she’s the chic, deadpan newcomer to the Real Housewives of New York reboot. But if you’ve been following her career for the past 20 years, as I have, she’s the reason you wanted to pair a white button-up with a feather skirt in 2011 (à la Met Gala). Known for her fancy/utility method of pairing separates, she’s far from your typical housewife. For starters, she’s the first openly gay female cast member in the franchise’s 17-year history. She holds her personal life close to her chest but doesn’t shy away from being the center of the party. In so many ways, Lyons is one of the most real Real Housewives we’ve seen. And she’s a smashing success.
Having started at J.Crew as a designer when she was just 21, Lyons quickly moved up the ranks. In 2010, she was named executive creative director and president of J.Crew, a role she held for seven years. During that time, she completely revitalized the brand and carved out a new definition of personal style. By overhauling the brand’s image—removing the prim-and-proper preppy vibe in favor of youthful, fun looks that were practical and well-priced—Lyons really ushed in a new era of fashion.
If you were a Girls fan, Lyons played (well, basically she played herself) a boss editor at GQ in season three. She hosted a reality competition show, Stylish with Jenna Lyons, in 2020. That same year, she and makeup artist Troi Ollivierre launched LoveSeen, a beauty brand offering high-quality false eyelashes. Lyons suffers from a rare genetic disorder that, among other symptoms, causes her to lose her hair. She’d been wearing false lashes for years but had never found a pair that fit just right. So, she made them. And thus the brand was born.
Overall, she’s a woman you want to be friends with, especially if that friendship involves touring her massive closet. Jenna’s inspiring high-low style often involves daytime sequins, tuxedo jackets, crisp white button-downs, and (always) her signature spectacles. We’ve pulled together some looks we think she’d love. Shop the Jenna edit, below.
