Fans of the iconic ‘90s TV series “Beverly Hills, 90210” will undoubtedly remember the unforgettable love triangle between Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth), Dylan McKay (Luke Perry) and Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestley). Caught between two great loves, Kelly made a bold and empowering choice, declaring: “I choose me.”
Those three simple words became more than just a memorable line — they became a guiding philosophy for Garth. Now 52, she has channeled that message into her brand, Me by Jennie Garth. Her latest venture includes the launch of Me, an apparel collection available on QVC, the shopping network where she also serves as a Q50 ambassador, celebrating women over 50. In addition, she continues to inspire through her podcast, “I Choose Me,” proving that self-empowerment never goes out of style.
“When I turned 50, I knew I needed to find my purpose,” Garth explains. “There was a period before and after COVID-19 where I felt stuck, unsure of my next move. I’m a very creative person at heart and I knew I wanted to build something meaningful, something I truly believed in.”
Reflecting on that iconic episode of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Garth found inspiration in her “I Choose Me” message and was eager to share it with women of all ages.
“I know those words resonated with me and so many viewers of the show,” Garth says. “I felt they needed to live on as a reminder that women have the power to choose themselves.”
A Designer Is Born
Last July, Garth brought that vision to life with the launch of her clothing line on QVC. Designed for effortless confidence, the collection features relaxed yet refined styles that promote body positivity, available in sizes XXS to 3X.
“I felt there was a gap in clothing for people my age in their 40s and 50s — clothing that’s stylish, accessible and easy to wear,” Garth says. “Our goal is to empower women, helping them start each day with outfits they know they’ll feel great in.”
A self-described designer at heart, Garth’s first foray into fashion design came four years ago when she created her daughter Lola’s prom dress. Despite having no prior experience in dressmaking, she made a stunning strapless black gown entirely from scratch, using only a reference photo Lola had shared with her.
Now, at 22, Lola has joined her mom in bringing that creative spirit to QVC, working alongside her to design the brand’s collections.
“Lola and I have learned so much about sizing, fit and fabric,” Garth says. “Travel is one of my biggest inspirations, so each collection is named after a destination — including Aspen, Big Sur, Boston and Zion — with designs influenced by the energy and essence of that area.”
When it comes to fashion, Garth believes women should wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and confident.
“That’s the beauty of getting older, you can get really creative with your look and fully express yourself,” she says.
As for wardrobe staples, denim tops her list.
“Denim is the backbone of the Me brand,” Garth shares. “All of our denim pieces are made using Repreve Our Ocean fabrication, with each item constructed from 13 to 28 recycled bottles. Our customers love the denim; the material has a beautiful stretch and just feels good.”
She also believes women need a variety of denim styles to match their mood.
“Some days I want a straight-leg fit; other days, I want a looser boyfriend jean,” Garth says. “I also love a nice blazer — whether belted or a cropped, double-breasted design — that’s just fun to throw on over anything.”
Finally, Garth emphasizes the importance of base layers.
“Having good base layers to work off of is something I love having in my closet,” she says, noting that her collections include staples like satin lace camisoles and printed blouses.
One standout piece from her collection is the Dylan denim jacket — named after her “90210” boyfriend, Dylan McKay, who was known for his signature denim jacket. The jacket also serves as a tribute to Perry, who died in 2019 at the age of 52 after suffering a stroke.
“Losing Luke was very shocking and hard to come to terms with,” Garth admits. “And then losing Shannen [Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210”] last year to cancer — it still doesn’t feel real. A big part of me feels like I could call Luke or Shannen right now and hear their voices. But when I realize I can’t, it’s almost impossible to accept.”
Photo By Garrett Lobaugh
A Podcast With Heart
Last April, Garth launched her “I Choose Me” podcast, where she candidly discusses a wide range of relatable topics. Featuring guests such as Ricki Lake and Oliver Hudson, the podcast allows Garth to genuinely connect with others.
“I get to know people in a way that I never would just by sitting down and having a conversation with them, and I’m learning a lot in the process,” Garth says. “I’m a very curious person, but I’m also an introvert. I’m not the type to walk into a room and strike up a conversation with everyone. That’s why I love this podcast format — it feels intimate, like I’m having a conversation with friends on my couch.”
One particularly personal episode featured a conversation with her ex-husband, actor Peter Facinelli. The couple divorced in 2013 after a 12-year marriage.
“My producer suggested an episode about co-parenting and how we each navigated our divorce,” Garth says. “It was helpful for me, and I think for a lot of listeners, to hear our different perspectives. We’re very different people, but I have a deep respect for Peter, and we share a kindred connection.”
In addition to Lola, Garth and Facinelli share daughters Luca, 27, and Fiona, 18.
Garth married Dave Abrams in 2015 and the couple lives in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, their family faced an unexpected challenge when wildfires forced them to evacuate from their home.
“All three girls were with me, and they suggested going to their dad’s house and I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it,’ and it was really comforting to be surrounded by familiar people with open hearts,” Garth recalls. “Peter and his family welcomed all of us: Dave, the girls and our four dogs. We ate meals together, watched the news and it was a really nice experience.”
Thankfully, Garth learned that her home had been spared from the fire.
Photo By Garrett Lobaugh
Encouraging Others To Choose Self-Care
Garth’s next step in her I Choose Me Movement is hosting a women’s summit. Originally set for this past January in LA, the event was postponed due to the fires and took place on Feb. 8. She now plans to expand it to cities nationwide, inspiring women to prioritize themselves.
“I want women to feel good saying ‘I choose myself,’” Garth affirms. “That doesn’t mean neglecting your responsibilities, it means embracing self-love, unshakeable confidence and inner strength.”
Garth prioritizes self-care by sticking to an exercise routine.
“I go to the gym and work out, even after a weekend of indulging,” she says. “After a certain age, you can’t afford to be lazy about self-care because things start compounding. Before you know it, you have a chronic health condition or you’re not able to exercise. That’s why it’s so important to keep moving, stretching and weightlifting.”
She hits the gym at 7 a.m. three mornings a week.
“It’s a little early for me, but it’s important,” she admits. “As much as I dread going sometimes, I’m always grateful afterward when I feel and see the results.”
Beyond the gym, Garth unwinds with evening baths for some quiet time and finds joy in gardening.
“I love tending to my flowers — watering and pruning them,” she shares. “It brings me joy and peace. That’s a key message of the I Choose Me Movement: We do so much for everyone else and we love doing it, but we also need to turn that love inward.”
For Garth, the movement isn’t just about self-care, it’s about legacy, especially for her daughters.
“When I turned 50, I started to think about what I wanted to leave behind for them,” she says. “I wanted to create something meaningful for them and continue providing for them, as I always have. Through the I Choose Me message, I found my passion — helping women realize that even when we have choices taken away from us, we still have so many others.”
Yet perhaps Garth’s greatest legacy is her daughters themselves.
“The best gift a mother can have is working alongside her children and watching them grow into strong, passionate women,” she says with a smile. “My girls are amazing, and they make me a better person every day.”