Jennifer Hudson offered a sneak peek of her first-ever collection for QVC at The Sky Room at New Museum. Clad in a curve-hugging dress with a sexy lace back panel from herJennifer Hudson Collection line and Giuseppe Zanotti heels, the fashionista hosted an intimate meet and greet with fashion editors and walked them through her collection of basics set to debut this Fashion's Night Outon September 6. "I'm nervous and excited at the same time!" she said of her first foray into the design world with retail powerhouse QVC. "I hope the public embraces my line...it's my baby." Prices range from $50 - $170 and the collection includes dresses, tunics, leggings, coats, tops, and more.
Jones Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Jennifer Hudson and chat about her collaboration with QVC for the first time!
Q: How did the partnership with QVC come about? Why QVC?
Jennifer Hudson: Well QVC is very established already and it's one that already has an established market, but most importantly because I like to have one on one with people. I feel like you can have a rapport and I feel like they should hear from the consumer and they should hear from you and it gives that intimacy where you can have that one on one with them.
Q: What was it like collaborating with QVC? What was the creative process for you? How long did it take?
Jennifer Hudson: It was so much fun. I feel like we've been working on this for a while, but I just love that I could share my love for clothes with somebody and get it out there and they gave me that, so I love that.
Q: What was the most nerve wrecking part of this whole process?
Jennifer Hudson: Just coming into the fashion world. It's a whole new world for me you know, although I've always had a love for fashion, it's a tough industry.
Q : Are there some designers that really inspire you?
Jennifer Hudson : Definitely Michael Kors, Givenchy, and Ricks Owens I love. And I would say Rick Owens because I want to focus on being comfortable and cute at the same time and he makes fabulous things, but it has this certain amount of comfort to it and I love that. And then as far as Michael Kors I feel like he caters to the real woman, every woman. Curves, no curves he got you, you know? That's what I like.
Q: Can you talk us through a few of the pieces?
Jennifer Hudson: Okay, so I'll start with the jacket because it's one of my favorites. I love coats and my coats because they have a dress kind of feel to it. Sometimes we wear coats and they might not be the greatest thing in the world, but then you're covering up your cute outfit, but now you can put a cute jacket on top of it, too and it has such great structure like it's not even cinched in all the way, but you can cinch it in show your waist line and then a piece like this or this one it's more elongating, so one minute I'm focusing more on--okay you want to show your curves, you can sinch this coat in too, along with the dress you're wearing, but then other pieces if you want to feel more comfortable more laid back or you want to show your height like I love showing off my height and showing off your legs, there's something that's more elongating and it lengthens you. Things like that and then some pieces you can dress down like...you can wear it to...breakfast, just throw this on, but still look decent, that kind of feel or you want to dress it up, or this one for instance, it could be for the young girl or it could be for the older lady you want to be more conservative and throw a legging with that and a shirt on under it. It's very versatile.
Q: Have you thought about wearing any of them while performing?
Jennifer Hudson: That would be fun! You just gave me that idea! This is one of the dresses that's more form fitting, but you know we have the form fitting things and the more elongating things, then you have the casual things that you could dress up and there are some things that you can bring down a little, or that you can wear it anywhere.
Q : Jennifer you look so amazing what's your secret? What are you doing right now?
Jennifer Hudson: Weight Watchers! But you know putting myself first, just thinking...health is just as important. You need to put that in your day just the same as everything else that's important.
Q: Could you offer any advice for Jessica Simpson who is getting on the same road that you were a couple of years ago?
Jennifer Hudson: I think she would do awesome and she's on the right track with Weight Watchers is all I can say, but she's a pro, she knows what she's doing, I'm sure.
Q: Can you offer any advice to new moms like yourself who are on the go and trying to stay fit and juggling a lot?
Jennifer Hudson: Try not to snack with the baby--that always gets you--like my baby likes making cakes and when you're making a cake you always lick the stuff off your fingers. Like those things we don't realize what we're taking in and it helps if you write it down like what you're eating that way you're far more aware and then you can also be active with the baby you know? Like again, they're active, they keep you active and they keep you in good shape too! Running around chasing two year olds.
Last week, Jennifer Hudson headlined the "Pampers Lullabies" listening party in New York last night, to celebrate Hudson's rendition of the classic "Lullaby and Goodnight." Hudson recorded the revered lullaby for exclusive free download at Pampers Facebook page,www.Facebook.com/Pampers, to honor the joyful way that parents bond with their little ones through music! "I did a recording of Lullaby. I did my own version of that (the melody, but my words), what I would sing to my baby...and I'm extremely excited about it...When I was writting it, I was thinking of him, I was in mommy mode."
