The Journal

Media Credit: Sam Dittmann Gina Jensen, assistant director of the WU forensic and debate team, had her big reveal at J. Bucks Oct. 30 with family and friends after a five day shopping spree as part of her appearance on TLC's What Not to Wear.

Gina Jensen, Webster University's assistant director of the forensic and debate team, was put to the test on non-verbal communication through fashion during a filming of TLC's "What Not to Wear." Jensen was in New York City from Oct. 25 to Oct. 30 filming the episode that is scheduled to air sometime in February. From loafers to heels, Jensen received a new wardrobe and a complete makeover that could make any woman envious.

Jensen was surprised by the two main hosts of "What Not to Wear," Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, on Oct. 13 during a taping of KSDK-TV's (Channel 5) "Show Me St. Louis." Jensen thought she was invited to the show to discuss non-verbal communications, including the ways people dress.

Stacy and Clinton were not the only surprise to Jensen. Jensen's family and friends, as well as both School of Communications Dean Debra Carpenter and President Elizabeth Stroble, were also there to surprise her.

Jensen was given a complete makeover including a haircut, makeup tips and $5,000 to purchase a new wardrobe in NYC. But there was a catch.

Jensen had to take her entire closet to NYC for Stacy and Clinton to decide what could stay and what clothing should go in the trash.

"It was nerve-wracking at first," Jensen said. "They took all my clothes and threw them in the trash. They gave me all of these rules that I had to follow."

It wasn't just a drawing out of a hat that got Jensen her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but that of a nomination from WU students.

When Jensen's students heard the show was coming to St. Louis for contestants, they immediately reacted. Even though the students didn't hear a response the first time around, two students didn't give up.

"My students, kindly, tell me often that I'm not real up to date in fashion," Jensen said.

Senior speech communications majors Megan Goodrich and Deana Beaton decided to nominate Jensen again for the show late last year.

"We re-did an application last year," Goodrich said.

Before going to New York, Jensen was feeling nervous and worried on the time allowance given to her for the makeover.

"After 38 years of bad fashion, how does one change that in a week?" Jensen said. "I'm a little nervous."

Though Jensen is busy with the forensic and debate team alongside husband Scott Jensen, WU director of the forensics and debate team, she is also a busy mother with three kids at home.

"I don't buy new clothes," Jensen said. "It's not important to me. I buy new clothes for the kids because they are growing and they care about fashion."

To many women, spending $5,000 dollars may sound easy to do. But when put on the spot with rules like "you can only shop in the petites section," one might rethink the task.

"After the first two stores I only had one shirt," Jensen said. "I knew what they wanted me to find but trying to find it was next to impossible."

After London and Kelly swooped in to help Jensen, she began to feel more comfortable and confident about shopping.

While shopping in NYC, Jensen found a few stores to call her favorites, like Lee Lee's Valise, a boutique located in Brooklyn known for their clothing, accessories and handbags, and department stores Lord and Taylor and Bloomingdales located in Manhattan.

"I bought a pair of jeans that were $130 at Lee Lee's Valise," Jensen said. "That was wild. I don't spend that much money on myself." "Mostly I enjoyed the department stores because they had sales and more to choose from."

Although her shopping spree was over, Jensen's adventure was just getting started. Along with the new wardrobe, Jensen received a makeover, makeup tips from the show's lead makeup artist and she also received a haircut normally costing $1,500.

"They made me feel so fortunate," Jensen said.

A reveal party at J. Buck's downtown took place Friday, Oct. 30 for Jensen family and their friends to see her transformation for the first time. Around 50 guests arrived to see Jensen and her new makeover.

"It was a great experience," Jensen said. "I had a lot of fun and would recommend it to anyone."

Article Tools