Scandals Katie Lowes Opens Up: Closed Set with Julie Bensman

In real life, style and politics don’t always go hand-in-hand (Mrs. Obama seems to be a White House fashion fluke). But on ABC's hit show Scandal, plotlines are juicy and hemlines often leave little to the imagination. Between cold cases and mistaken identities, there’s hardly time to worry about what to wear. (And, besides, that’s what costume designers are for.)

Katie Lowes, who plays Quinn/Lindsay on the show, navigates her own work-life balance with an iPhone (never Blackberry) and one chic floral bag. Here, she opens up about baking, the blues, and the miraculous product known as Bag Balm.

Julie Bensman: Which bag do you carry most often?

Katie Lowes: My mom bought me this Altiplano bag for my birthday. I am obsessed with its one-of-a-kind woven embroidery and it's HUGE so I can carry around a ton of stuff throughout my day. [Editor’s Note: That’s her above with the bag at a recent Life of Pi screening]

JB: What are some beauty essentials you can’t live without?

KL: Jan Marini sunscreen, as well as Mario Badescu Olive Eye Cream. Oh, and of course, Bag Balm for my lips and cuticles... I've been using it since I was a little kid!

JB: When traveling, what MUST you pack in your carry-on?

KL: SNACKS! I hate airport food so I'm always packing little things to nosh on. Also, Original Sprout baby cream for dry hands on the plane. It's lightly scented like soap so you won't offend the person sitting next to you.

JB: What would we be surprised to find in your purse right now?

KL: My ski passes for winter break. Vermont, here I come!

JB: What’s on your iPod right now?

KL: Fat Freddy's Drop. I love baking to reggae, soul, or blues. And they’re a real combo of all three. Plus, it's the holiday season so LOTS of baking is being HANDLED, as we say on Scandal.

JB: Talk to me about the show. Why do you love playing Quinn?

KL: I love that she's in the eyes and ears of the audience. Being the newbie, she views each crisis as the audience would. She asks the questions you need the answers to.

JB: From a fashion perspective, how are you alike and different from her?

KL: We are totally different! I don't own a suit nor do I prefer pencil skirts. But as soon as I put on Quinn's DC power blazer, button down and skirt, I feel like her. It's a great way to get into character. In my personal life, I’m very boho and hippie. Give me boyfriend jeans, a big hat, and scarf any day!

JB: Whose personal style do you love?

KL: Drew Barrymore, Sienna Miller, and Kristen Wiig. And Kerry Washington — she always looks AMAZING.

image: Getty

Check out Katie in action when Episode 8 of Scandal airs Thursday, December 6 on ABC.

Via: Scandals Katie Lowes Opens Up: Closed Set with Julie Bensman