Pretty Shay Mitchell is no little liar

MANILA, Philippines - Pretty Little Liars actress Shay Mitchell is a tall, exotic beauty. She is part Scottish, Irish and Filipino, and she loves to fly. Recently, American Eagle Outfitters Philip-pines flew her in for the launch of its very first store, a two-story flagship at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. According to Simon Nankervis, vice president for franchise management and new business development of American Eagle Outfitters, which has partnered with the Bench Group for the local market, they are set to build five stores in the country by Christmas, and 20-plus stores over the coming years. American Eagle Outfitters, which is known for their denim products, is also bringing in a generous helping of the brands Intimates line. “We do 13 collections in a year,” said Simon, “mostly denims, graphics, wovens and color.”

The Philippine STAR chatted with the model-turned-actress, former American Eagle Outfitters spokesperson and advocate of AE’s successful campaign, “Live Your Life.” In high spirits and excited to be back in Manila, Shay sported blue nails, a summer-y top, jeans and coral heels. She later tells me that after her work in the city is done, she will be flying to Boracay, to “party it up a bit.” But first things first: flying, fashion, moisturizing, and growing up “Pinoy.”

PHILIPPINE STAR: How was your flight?

Shay Mitchell: I arrived yesterday at 5:30 in the morning. I love traveling! I get so excited about flying. We had such a nice flight on Philippine Airlines that I slept for eight hours because it was just so comfortable. It’s the one good time when, when there’s no WiFi and you’re not accessible, you have all this time to yourself...and then you land and you get all your 160 e-mails. (Laughs)

Do you like airports?

I’m crazy when it comes to the airport. I have to be there two hours before because I don’t like rushing. I’ve only missed one plane in my life and I will never miss another plane again. I just like going there early and relax, read books that I haven’t been able to read or watch TV shows that I’ve purchased on iTunes. But I never get on the plane first.

You flew in from LA –– what did you pack for the tropics?

I’m actually very lucky, because while I was in Mexico last week for the launch of American Eagle there, I got to do a little shopping in the store. I have a lot of cute denim shorts and a lot of neon tops –– pretty much everything that’s going to be on trend from the store.

I like to use products that I can use for multiple different things. A tinted moisturizer is really important, something with an SPF, and then if it’s tinted it also doubles as a foundation. I’m huge on wearing sun protection. Vaseline, a drugstore find, is great because you can use it for a lot of different things. Also, lip gloss and cuticle moisturizer.

What shade of polish are you wearing?

Sky blue, that’s not the name of it but that’s what I would call it. (Laughs)

Lipstick? Vegas Bolt by MAC. I’m very excited about this lip color.

What trends are you into right now?

I love color, printed denim, pastels –– we’re going to see a lot of that coming up. Even full pieces like matching denim jackets with pastel jeans. I love that look, too. And I think it’s going to continue with the prints, for sure. But even when I go to fashion shows and see different things, I’m not going to wear it just because it’s in. I think you really do have to know what works on your body and wear that.

How is your style different from Emily’s in Pretty Little Liars?

I love Emily’s style in the show, it’s the most relatable to most high school girls. I think the other girls are really fashion forward and sometimes they dress up a little more than the average high school girl. I also take a lot of what I’ve been wearing as Emily into my own wardrobe –– things that are a lot more comfortable but are still trendy. The only difference is that I would add a little more sequins into my closet and I think a couple more high heels.

What do you love about being part of American Eagle Outfitters? What is your role in the brand’s “Live Your Life” campaign?

I did American Eagle’s campaign in the States when they launched “Live Your Life.” When they came to me with the concept, it’s like everything that I do, with my brand, with how I speak to my fans…it’s all about living your life and being who you are. I also think it’s interesting to see how different people wear the clothes in their campaign, because if you have a bunch of models on it, it’s not always relatable because it’s going to look different on them. I love that during the shoot, I got to pick the clothes and they fit me like they did in the photos so it was really real.

How Filipino are you? When were you last in Manila?

I was here last December, but I left before Christmas. My mom left the Philippines when she was 19 and my dad is half-Scottish, half-Irish, but having my family around growing up, I think I definitely have that Filipino background. We always had picnics, family weddings…I really got to see the culture. And I think my mom really wanted me to stay true to it. I mean, I don’t speak Tagalog, and she is not so good at it anymore. (Laughs) But I love the food –– that counts! We had pancit right away when we arrived. And the crackling (chicharon)! So good!

* * *

American Eagle Outfitters is located at Building 5, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City. For information, like www.facebook.com/AmericanEaglePhilippines or follow www.twitter.com/AEO_PH.