Okay, here’s a rewrite of the interview, aiming for a more friendly, conversational, and engaging tone. I’ve focused on highlighting the key takeaways and making it feel like you’re listening in on a conversation:
Ashley Graham is Back at JCPenney & Changing the Game for Plus-Size Fashion
You know Ashley Graham, right? Supermodel, entrepreneur, all-around amazing woman? Well, guess what? She’s teaming up with JCPenney again, but this time, it’s on a whole new level! After first modeling for JCPenney 15 years ago, Ashley is back with her very own line, and she’s not just the face of it – she’s the creative director!
The best part? The entire “Ashley Graham for JCPenney” collection is designed exclusively for sizes 14 and up. Ashley’s making sure every single piece is made with our needs in mind – the fit, the fabrics, everything is designed to flatter and make you feel amazing. As Ashley herself puts it, “It’s giving the plus community the spotlight it deserves!”
We got the chance to chat with Ashley about this exciting new venture. Here’s the scoop:
The “Omitted” Campaign: A Powerful Statement
The campaign for the collection is called “Omitted,” and it’s seriously thought-provoking. It highlights the fact that while 67% of women wear sizes 14 and up, only 6.7% of characters in movies reflect that.
Ashley explains, ” Omitted is the film that has yet to be written — because the film doesn’t exist. We’re in an era where the majority of curvy women I know are feeling forgotten and that they are not being seen. I thought this was an important call to action for the media and Hollywood: curves are here to stay and we’re not going anywhere.”
Could this mean some acting in Ashley’s future?
While she’s open to the possibility (“if somebody wanted to write Omitted and finance it, I’d be more than happy to be a part of it”), Ashley’s main focus right now is this JCPenney collection. She’s already planning Spring and Summer 2026, and has two of her own personal brands launching next year as well!
Behind the Scenes: Ashley as Creative Director
“Having modeled for almost 30 years, I’ve seen it all. There are things that just work in the curvy community, and there are things that really need to change.” That’s what Ashley brings to the table. She’s merging the young, fashionable shopper with the existing JCPenney customer. “It’s been really interesting to see what people are gravitating towards in the first drop, and which sizes are flying off the shelves. “
What’s important to the woman she’s designing for?
Ashley knows the curve community is diverse. “Our styles are different. We have different jobs. Our fat is distributed differently. So when creating the collection, you can’t just think about one person. You have to think about a vast group of women.” She’s focused on creating pieces that are functional, versatile, and fit into everyday life.
What Changes Does Ashley Want To See?
Ashley wants to provide those “truly beautiful, everyday pieces that feel timeless and classic so you will have them for years.” While trends are important, she also wants women to know that this collection will be there for the day-to-day moments. Options are key and it will all be available to try on in stores.
It’s Going to Be in Every Store!
That’s right! This isn’t just an online thing. You can head to your local JCPenney and try on the collection in person.
Curve-First Design: What Does It Mean?
“Well, it’s only for curve sizes. We start at 14 and we go up to a size 30.” Ashley is very clear that this collection is for curve women. “Brands are always saying ‘this is for everyone.’ But you can’t be for everyone and be successful, in my opinion. Especially the brands that are calling themselves inclusive that only go up to a double XL. That’s not inclusive. So that’s why this is just for curve sizes.”
Ashley’s Current Favorite Pieces
Ashley is loving the jeans! “I feel like we’ve nailed the baggy jeans for curve, which is difficult.” The oversized leather jackets are also fab.
Fit Is Key
Ashley’s put a huge emphasis on fit. “We focused on having at least three fit models in sizes 14, 16, and 18, so that we were able to scale accordingly with the grading.”
What is Ashley Most Proud of?
The sense of community at the launch party. Graham is committed to reminding the curve community that they are not forgotten and this is truly for them.
Ashley’s Tips for Confidence
- Comfort is Key: “If you’re not going to be comfortable, don’t leave your house.”
- A Good Foundation: “If your bra and underwear are not creating a great base, then you’re not going to feel comfortable in your outfit.”
- Mirror Pep Talks: “You have to talk out loud to yourself…a little mirror pep talk goes a long way.”
What I Changed and Why:
- More Conversational Language: Using phrases like “guess what,” “the best part,” “we got the chance to chat” makes it feel more personal.
- Emphasis on “You”: Focusing on how the collection benefits the reader/customer.
- Summarizing Key Points: Instead of just quoting directly, I summarized and then included key quotes to emphasize important messages.
- Enthusiastic Tone: Using exclamation points and positive adjectives to convey excitement.
- Breaking Up Text: Shorter paragraphs and more headings make it easier to read.
- Direct Quotes Strategically: Using quotes to add Ashley’s personal voice and passion, but not overwhelming the text with large blocks of quoted material.
- Removed Redundant Phrases: Some of the original phrases, while standard in interview format, sounded repetitive or formal in a rewritten, human-tone version.
The overall goal is to make the reader feel like they’re getting the inside scoop from a friend who’s excited about this new collection!