Jenna Lyons on Her New TV Show and the One J.Crew Piece She'll Never Get Rid Of

POPSUGAR: You ask your interviewees to put together an outfit because you say it's similar to how they'd style a room. If your living room were an outfit, what would you be wearing?
Jenna Lyons: My son is here listening and he says my Drake's silk pajama top, vintage army pants, maybe a touch of leopard, and a hint of gold.
PS: During the show, we get to watch you build your brand and test creative associates who work with you — what advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own fashion venture? And what's the most important quality you're looking for in a candidate you work with?
JL: Only go into fashion if you are obsessed. I remember distinctly talking to some young students about fashion and I asked them what their favorite era was, and some of the students didn't know about history — how fashion started, where it came from, who Jeanne Lanvin was, or who started Balenciaga. It's important to understand and be obsessed. It's not an easy business, but if you absolutely love it, you won't be looking at the clock. The most important quality in someone I hire is a sense of curiosity and desire to learn. You can't train that, and you can't give it to someone. It's an inside job.
PS: What's the best interview outfit that makes a great first impression, even if it's over Zoom?
JL: I think being comfortable comes first; don't overthink it. Confidence is key in an interview, and feeling like yourself. I don't care if an outfit is wack or super strict. If you feel in your skin and comfortable, you'll do great. These days, I think Zoom has created a whole new approach to communication and visuals. I would say less important from the outfit is lighting and a big smile. I love watching Trevor Noah on his show with his beard and slightly tousled hair and sweatshirt. It makes me love him all the more; he is no less credible in his sweatshirt because he is direct, warm, and engaging.

PS: What is one thing you learned during your time at J.Crew that's helped you approach the show — maybe even a mantra that you still repeat to yourself to this day?
JL: Your team can be your biggest inspiration.

PS: The world has changed so much in a matter of months, and fashion itself is fundamentally different. What's your take on trends in this moment and going forward? Are they as relevant? If not, what is shaping style right now?
JL: Trends are such a funny thing. The things I loved 10 years ago I still love and go back to regularly. My perfect worn-in jeans, my favorite blazer, my simple white shirts. Don't get me wrong, I've dabbled in every trend possible, made some terrible mistakes, and at the end, I feel like we all get whipped around by them. I think what I love about fashion today is that with the world of Instagram and social media, there is license to do your own thing. Everyone has an opportunity to shine.
PS: What is your favorite outfit of all time?
JL: One of my favorite outfits is one that I have the most fond and powerful memories of. It's an outfit I wore to the White House the first time I met the president [Barack Obama] and the first lady, Michelle Obama. It was a simple white shirt with a high-waisted feather skirt, and it's not so much the outfit, but I remember every second of the preparation and lead-up — the handshaking, the picture-taking; the night itself is ingrained in my memory forever.
PS: What's your favorite piece of clothing (or collection) you ever worked on while at J.Crew?
JL: We made an incredible sequin blazer. I think we probably made 25 of them. It never fails me. I've worn it to speaking engagements. It always makes me feel like the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. It gets lots of love and has good juju.
PS: What's the oldest J.Crew item you still keep in your wardrobe, and do you still wear it?
JL: I still have a J.Crew anorak I bought when I was in high school. It's somewhere deep in storage. I've never been able to get rid of it. It's still one of my all-time favorites.