True Jackson from 'True Jackson, VP'

By Jacqueline Cutler

   |  

February 4, 2009 10:10 AM ET

Tvfashw208 It's hard enough dressing appropriately for work, as most women will acknowledge. Either you fall into an easy, albeit boring, routine of pantsuits and matching tops, or you take chances that don't always work.

But if you work in the fashion industry, you must be au courant yet appropriate. And if you're a teenager in the fashion industry, well, that raises expectations to new levels. Teens pride themselves on being cutting edge, but one can't be too ridiculous in the business world. That's the challenge Keke Palmer's character, True Jackson, faces on True Jackson, VP Saturdays on Nickelodeon.

Palmer, a fashionista, describes her character as "a jazzy grandma, but more young."

That's not as outlandish as it sounds, for True Jackson wears dresses that are as right in the boardroom as they would be in church. True wears dresses, often with a ruffle or bow at the collar, that actually cover her body. She doesn't succumb to the common teen trap of looking as if she's a dancer in need of a pole.

Costumer Alison Freer says she looks for inspiration everywhere -- from a trip to Costco to walking around her hometown in Texas. She describes True as "a cool urban kid. She lives in New York City. She will wear a very Chanel-y type of dress, pleated at the bottom and Oxford top, to work, with bamboo earrings."

Freer shops for True everywhere, from garage sales, where she picked up a belt for 70 cents, to Wal-Mart, which she ran into for detergent and saw an Oxford shirt in the boys department. She bought it and cut off the sleeves for True.

True wears a lot of skirts from Juicy Couture and clothes from Anthropologie and J. Crew. Freer's also a fan of the California boutique Le Bohemian Chic, where she's found unusual pieces.

"I buy her accessories from Limited Too -- jewelry, scarves, hair doodles," Freer says.

Palmer is taller than the boys on the show, so she wears flats, mostly ballet flats. Freer finds shoes at Nordstrom and orders them online at Zappos.

"True is a New Yorker, but she doesn't dress like one," Freer says. "There's a little bit of California in there, a little bit Palm Beach, a little '60s socialite going on."

Though Palmer says she's having fun with her character's clothes, off the set she wears "more vintage hip-hop. I wear sweaters and boots and graphic Ts. I shop Urban Outfitters and Nordstroms. I like Marc Jacobs; they fit me to a T."

"I like flannels," Palmer adds. "I will wear an old top with cut-up jeans. I buy a lot of pieces and piece together in the morning."

What is true to True is how often Palmer shops. "All the time," she says. "I shop online 24-7."

 
 
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Thanks for the article it really helped me

True is my inspiration becuz although she can be serious with her dressing at tyms shes fun and bubbly with her clothing. Iz there anyway i can come on the set and meet her and you? Hopefully u can give me a feel of what she dresses like.

Thanks again

I love you keke palmer. I am like your biggest fan. And I love the show true jackson. It has really made me laugh soo much. i wish i could just meet you in person. keke you are my idol. i have watched you from jump in all the way till true jackson. by the way awsome voice!! your number one fan cheyanne

i love u true

true i want to be just like you when i grow up you are so cool

Hi I'm a single dad of a ten year old african american princess. To say I'm lost in the world of fashion would be an understatement. When the show True Jackson VP started to air it was like a rainbow had appeared over my home, I now a model in which I could use to shop with my little princess, and when I heard about True's clothing line comming out I almost cried. I hope that Ms. Freer influences the choices made for the clothing line, since it is her taste that is actually seen on the show. FYI: I also love love love the show, it serves as an excellent inspiration to my daughter, who incidently likes to design clothes.

to the producer of the show thank you, it is by far one of the best shows made for and about children. I could go on and on about the merits of this show. lastly to Keke I look forward to seeing more films and shows with you in them. Thank you all :)

Hey True! my name is Lauren and I am 11 years old. I love your show. It is so FUNNY! I love the clothes that you wear and when I saw Mad Style by True Jackson was coming out and saw outfits on T.V. I thought the outfits were AWESOME!!! I love the on with the suspenders but I can't seem to find it any where. I want it so I can where it on the first day of school! But about the shown I think that it would be a little, how do I put this.... ****Y! It is that maybe you should show you at school. I think it would be cool for us to get to see the PINKS! PLEASE show the director this comment!

Hi True I'm Envy and i'm 10 i love watching your show and the movie was even better.I love desing clotes too i've been desing sence I was 9,but i think your clotes is better then mine.I hope to be like you when i'm older nice pretty and awesome I would just love seeing your show in person and getting to hang out with you.Tell your director i said hi and Lulu and Ryan and the rest.Show this to everyone you know.Bye.

I foregot somthing my email adress.

u know that this isnt true jackson right? it says by Jacqueline Cutler! u guys r idiots!

I design clothes too im soooo into it to you helped me by staying focus but i run around somtimes making some designs i make jackets polo dresses stuff like baby phat and southpole and dereon

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