NYC Style: Broadway Bombshell Allison Guinn
Allison Guinn
Borough/Neighborhood: The Crest of Long Island City and Astoria
Profession: Actor/Singer
Allison is native to east Tennessee, and moved to New York like all the other lemmings with a dream and a desire for culture to pursue acting in 2004. After many a roommate and many a time sleeping in living rooms and having terrible jobs (once as a singing telegram/Marilyn Monroe impersonator), she landed a role in The Public Theater's 3 day concert of "Hair" in Central Park. The concert turned into a full run at the Delacorte the following summer, and made its way to Broadway the spring of 2009. She is currently with the production on the West End in London. Allison is also an avid lover of Autoharps, dark comedy and strange stories her grandmother tells her about growing up in Depression-era Appalachia.
How would you define your personal style?
In a word, Quirky. I think it came from my parents having no real imagination for my Halloween costumes (I was always a clown or a witch) so I always long to wear a costume. I enjoy vintage clothes shopping. I like the hunting for treasure aspect of it. I think that came from attending quite a few rummage sales growing up in the South.
Favorite item in your closet?
Right now, I love this 1950's baby blue flower print sundress. I automatically feel pretty when I wear it.
Are there any trends that you wish would just go away already?
UGH, I think they call them genie pants I remember when they were called straight-up hammer pants. As Liz Lemon would say, "Shut it down"
Favorite Five in the Five Boroughs?
Tokio 7: Its on 7th St between Avenue A and 1st Avenue (I think). I used to go there all the time with my friend after having lunch at 7A. Great funky variety, and very reasonably priced (which is a rarity.) I like their boot and t-shirt selection. You can find some real gems here!
The Village Scandal: I used to walk down here on my breaks from rehearsing at the Public. What a great hat store! There's great variety and they're all very well made. I wish we still lived in a hat culture!
Fabulous Fanny's: I bought my glasses frames here. I figured, if I'm going to be bespectacled, I might as well have fun with it! They have a very wide variety of vintage frames, and there's a side section of clothing as well.
Family Jewels: Sweet little store in Chelsea. My favorite thing about this place is the way the staff dresses. Ask them anything! They'll help you out!
Salvation Army in Astoria: Like I said, I love a good rummage! This Salvation Army hasn't been as picked over as the ones in Manhattan, and its ENORMOUS! If you like to find diamonds in the rough, have a hunt here.
