Don’t underestimate her. At only 5”2, the petite powerhouse known as Eva Longoria has proven to be way more than “the sexy one” from Desperate Housewives. While the dazzling star was blinding the world with a beauty that doesn’t seem to age consisting of a flawless complexion, refined bone structure and a mane of lustrous and enviable locks- all perfect for representing L’Oréal, she also managed to conquer everything in her path, breaking down doors and smashing through ceilings in outlets such as film with acting, producing, and directing, philanthropy; with multiple causes and charities, and tons of businesses as she proves to be a leading entrepreneur- and she only seems to continue as she sets sail on her next big business venture; dominating the fashion market.
A long time seamstress, Longoria is putting another one of her dreams into action as she teams up with The Limited to offer her new clothing line; The Eva Longoria Collection, which offers a wide array of fashions that women will love aimed toward the upwardly mobile professional female to take them through their work-day and into their fun-filled nights. The starlet turned seamstress describes the line as “From Work-To-Wine,” and If anyone knows about cohesively going “From Work-To-Wine” it would be Longoria, who has known all about leading a jam-packed life, constantly setting the bar higher for having an impeccable work ethic while always needing to look her best at the many events she then has to attend for her mountains of endeavors she takes on, and all eyes are always on her. This process is so familiar for Longoria that there could be times that the exciting entrepreneur could even need a suitable ensemble for every occasion in one day! That’s why she smartly offers a perfect blend of elegant staples that every woman should have in their wardrobe, mixed with eye-popping on-trend pieces that will have fashionistas salivating. Not only is there something for everyone, but true to the name of the collection, if one piece is swapped out for another then a woman can easily create a completely a new outfit that is perfect for her next occasion.
And speaking of there being something for every woman in Longoria’s line, the sweet and savvy seamstress ensured that this collection would not only be affordable for all women, but also aware of the fact that not every woman has the same shape, she kept in mind every woman’s desire to look good and feel comfortable as her collection offers everything from lace A-line silhouettes to knit body-conscious dresses and beyond, ensuring that every woman would happily find something for their body type. But, even more than cute fashions, Longoria’s line offers women something else that is definitely needed; empowerment.
For any woman to be able to put on a power suit and feel even 1/10th of Eva Longoria’s strength is certainly a good thing- so if they can take that away with them than the line is more than a success. With affordable prices so every woman can be included, women around the globe can feel some of the strength that this beautiful self-made starlet turned multi-mogul encompasses- and that is a powerful thing. Whenever Longoria gets involved in a business, she then smoothly sets out to make it her own in some way. With acting, she broke barriers as being the highest paid actress (and Latina) on television, only to go on to join the important movement of women behind the lens, teaming up with Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry to bring the world the much beloved Devious Maids- on which she has not only directed, but serves as an executive producer. She has her hand in countless charities, including most recently the Lean In campaign for Together Women Can, and of course- in true Longoria fashion- has even created her own charity organization; Eva’s Heroes- a charity aimed toward enriching the lives of individuals with special needs. So, it comes as no surprise that after having served as a fashion darling and muse for so long, the dazzling starlet would soon go out to conquer the industry on her own.
With her fashion line launching today and so many other projects on the horizon, Longoria is the usual busy bee and unstoppable force she always is. Luckily, however, she found a minute “From Work-To-Wine” to sit down and answer some questions about her new fashion collection, talk about teaming up with The Limited, discuss the importance of women behind the lens, give some scoop on some of her new film projects ahead and more!
You have been smashing down doors for quite some time now in every medium, whether it be acting, directing, producing, business, or philanthropy. When was it that you decided to go into fashion, and what particularly inspired this line?
Well, one of the things about me that the people who really know me know is that I love to sew, so I always wanted to do a clothing line, I just never really had the time to dedicate to it until now. So, I’ve always been looking to find the right partners, and the right distributors and manufacturers to collaborate with- it is a full time job if you don’t do it right. This has been two years in the making, and because of the way that fashion cycles work, you have to work so far ahead for deliveries, production and marketing. But, it’s all just been so much fun! And the inspiration was the everyday woman. I think that that women want a versatile wardrobe without the price tag, and that’s why I titled my line “From Work-To-Wine,” because it’s just a comprehensive style that encompasses those classic garments that you should have in your closet and then some really modern pieces that are really exciting and on trend. So, it’s really just a very fun and great collection.
Describe some of the pieces in the collection, and some of the silhouettes people might see. You’ve made an effort to make sure to include body-con dresses as well. Was making sure all women could feel included important to you?
Absolutely. I have A-line dresses, I have full dresses, I have body-conscious dresses- the entire collection is very versatile. I have some power knits that really work like a spanx and suck you right in, and then I have some loose A-line dresses also. There’s different styles for different bodies, and there’s definitely something for everyone.
Talk about teaming up with The Limited for this venture and what makes them the perfect partner to carry the Eva Longoria collection? You’ve been quoted saying that you wanted your line to be chic, but affordable- does that all play into the idea that you want all women to feel included in your line?
I am so happy to partner with The Limited, because their market, and their audience, and really just their overall woman that they speak to is that young working professional that is balancing a really full life. And like L’Oréal- who I’ve been with for eleven years, they also really focus on the empowerment of leading women. They have a new campaign called “What Does Leading Look Like?” So, a lot of the garments in my line are designed with the intent of putting the power back in power suits. I’m really trying to make sure that women feel empowered when they put on a dress, or a suit, or a blazer of mine.
This is all part of the Eva Longoria empire. Not only did you break down doors for actresses on TV being the highest paid actress on television- you were also the highest paid Latina, and you went on to producing Devious Maids- a groundbreaking show that stars four Latina women as its leads. You have your hand in many charities and you even have a cooking book! Talk about why it’s so important for you to do what you do- not only for yourself- but so that young girls and Latinos can have someone to look up to, as you’ve been such an inspiring and motivational force for so many that might have otherwise felt not as worthy.
I think the number one thing that I probably tell everybody is that education is the key to economic mobility. For me, I worked so hard over the past twenty years to build my career, but I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t have the safety net of my masters degree, my bachelors degree, and my education. Every time I embark on a new endeavor as an entrepreneur, I make sure to do my research and study all areas of it from the market, to the need, to sourcing the best people out there within that business. So, it’s not like you’re going to get discovered at Starbucks and life is going to fall into place- you really have to study your craft, no matter what it is, whether that be acting, dentistry, law- whatever it may be, and it’s so wonderful that so many women feel that they can have such great aspirations and reach them.
Since we’re on that topic, you are part of an extremely powerful movement going on in Hollywood which is about women stepping behind the lens. Lifetime has been amazing at helping that movement along with having Shiri Appleby direct on UnReal, and you direct and produce on Devious Maids. Talk about teaming up with Marc Cherry and Lifetime for that project, and why it’s important for women to step behind the lens.
Yes! We definitely need more women behind the camera- and not just as directors, but we need them as writers and producers and everything else that helps create the story. Our community, from the female perspective, are definitely more than just the wife and the girlfriend- there are many women in the world who are leading very full lives whom are the lead character in their own movie- and those movies featuring stories like that have to move up in the ranks, and show studios that there is an audience that needs that female perspective behind the lens.
And you have a few films in development, like Refugio- directed by the amazing Demián Bichir; who is one of the greatest actors of our time! What can you tell us about that?
[Lights up with excitement] Yes! I believe we’re premiering at The Morelia Film Festival in New Mexico. We’ve been friends for a while, and he gave me a call because he directed and wrote it, and he asked me so sweetly to please come to Mexico and do this film, so I did- and it was so much fun. I didn’t get to work with him on that film as an actor, but right after that we both did a movie for Universal called Lowrider where we play husband and wife, and that’s going to be coming out really soon as well. We opened The LA Film Festival with that movie. And it was just such a joy- I was literally in awe every time he opened his mouth. He can read the phone book and make it compelling. It’s true, he really is just one of the greatest actors of our time.
And you truly are involved in so many projects and you’ve already worked with so many amazing people, is there anything you feel like you have yet to do career wise that you would love to do, even acting wise? Any roles you would absolutely love to play, or anyone in particular you would love to work with?
You know what is so funny, I’ve always wanted to do something in Europe, whether it’s Italian, or French, and that’s why I’m here in Wales- I’m shooting a comedy series for The BBC. It also stars Jack Whitehall and David Suchet- all of these great comedic actors from Britain. It’s just been surreal as it really was a dream of mine, and it just happened now. And then, of course, the clothing line has been just another dream come true. So, I think every time I accomplish something then I just get a new goal and a new dream and I work toward it!
With two movies coming out alongside the unparalleled Demián Bichir, her producing and directing talents continuing on Lifetime with Devious Maids, her acting broadening in Wales with an anxiously awaited series on The BBC, and an amazing fashion collection for every woman to be able to enjoy with her fashion line for The Limited, all the world can hope for is that Longoria keeps dreaming.
Eva Longoria’s fashion line; The Eva Longoria Collection, is now available at The Limited.