Jenna Lyons Says Designers Don't Ask to Dress Her for “RHONY” Because 'I'm Not 22 and Hot Anymore' (Exclusive)

"That moment has passed," the fashion designer-turned-reality star told PEOPLE

Jenna Lyons is reflecting on her fashion icon status.

Despite making a splash on Real Housewives of New York (not to mention her status as a style-setter from her days as creative director of J. Crew), the 56-year-old says designers aren't clamoring to dress her for the Bravo reality show.

"I think a lot of times, designers want to dress you head to toe, and I don't really wear anything head to toe, so I'm not usually the perfect person for that," Lyons tells PEOPLE. "I'm also like, not 22 and hot anymore. Like that moment has passed."

The entrepreneur, who joined RHONY in season 14, has long been known for her distinct sense of style and is easily recognizable by her bold black-framed glasses.

"My favorite thing is looking through old photographs and I'm like, 'Wow, I thought that was cute,' Lyons tells PEOPLE of her fashion choices. "But if you don't take any risks, you don't take any rewards. I don't know. I think fashion risks are fun.... I feel like people get so worried about rules."

She continued, "I also think everyone's so judgmental. It's like, 'I'm sorry. Can we please just have a little fun?'"

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In October 2023, Lyons caused a stir on social media by wearing a pair of Levi's jeans to the RHONY season 14 reunion — a twist from the typical gowns and cocktail attire worn by other cast members to previous reunions.

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"The reunion — yes I wore jeans and I am not sorry,” Lyons captioned an Instagram video at the time. The star wore a black Saint Laurent jacket, a sheer Thom Browne button-down and a black Saint Laurent tie with her jeans, according to Bravo, who 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 "zero thought" went into the controversial look.

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“I am just shocked and amazed at the attention it got. I didn't realize it would be so controversial, it was not intentional. I'm also like, first of all, who cares? And second, this idea that I can't wear them to a reunion or I was somehow a faux pas — who made the rules? Does anybody really want me to come out there in a full-length sparkly gown? Really? I don't think that's what you want from me,” she said of the buzz.

Lyons will return to RHONY for season 15, which premieres on Bravo on Oct. 1. She joins castmates Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield and Racquel Chevremont — who all joined when the network rebooted the series back in 2022.

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