Actress Caylee Cowan.
Harper’s Bazaar (HBZVN): Caylee, your performance as Penelope in “Frank and Penelope” has garnered significant praise. Can you tell us what initially drew you to this role?
CAYLEE COWAN: Initially, I was drawn to the complexity of the love story. Penelope is a paradox. She’s kind of a funny character, but she’s also deeply tragic. She seems to always be putting on an act, feigning love to get what she wants, yet she genuinely believes that true love does exist and is capable of being a loyal partner.
Outfit, Nicole + Felicia. Gloves, stylist own.
When we first meet Penelope, she is on the precipice of dancing herself right off of a metaphorical cliff. She’s lost all hope in love. She masks her broken heart as she goes through the motions of a routine hustle, when she meets Frank, a kindred soul, who is just as broken as she is.
Outfit, Nicole + Felicia. Gloves, stylist own.
It is Frank’s unconditional love that calls on her to be an honest person. Slowly, over the course of the movie, the facade fades, and Frank is finally able to break down Penelope’s walls and let love in.
Outfit, Nicole + Felicia. Gloves, stylist own.
HBZVN: Reflecting on your acting career so far, what do you consider to be your most challenging role, and why?
CAYLEE COWAN: Well, in many ways, I feel like I’m just getting started. Some roles have been easier to tap into than others. When I create a character, I start with myself and will tune into our similarities. Then, I’ll get to work physically by learn new skills and cerebrally and emotionally by creating memories in order to anchor into the character.
Top & skirt, Christian Cowan. 3-star earring, Azza Fahmy. Lace gloves, stylist own.
I also like to keep a journal for each character. I’ve looked back on my past journals and have noticed that even my handwriting will change.
Dress, Valdrin Sahiti. Fingerless leather opera gloves, Uncuffed Leather.
The most challenging role is actually a role I have not yet shot and I can’t talk too much about it yet. It is a character I’ve been working on for over 2 years. I’ve read countless drafts of the same script. I’m pretty much memorized the final draft. I’ve even written the whole script out by hand. Twice. I’ll give you a hint. It’s a period drama, but that’s all I can say for now.
HBZVN: Fashion is often a huge part of an actress’s public image. How would you describe your personal fashion style, both on and off the red carpet?
CAYLEE COWAN: Sure, fashion can be a huge part of an actresses public image, but wardrobe is also a huge part of creating a character. What you wear can really influence how you feel. I don’t know how I’d describe my personal style. I like to be comfortable. Especially during my free time. You’ll usually find me just wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt, some sneakers, and baseball cap.
Dress, Valdrin Sahiti. Fingerless leather opera gloves, Uncuffed Leather.
When I was a kid, we never went on shopping sprees and I never really even had new clothing. Most of my clothes were hand-me-downs or from thrift stores. Now, I actually really love dressing up for a red carpet. My stylist, Alex Shera, always makes me look and feel amazing. I feel like Cinderella on a red carpet, but partially because I know that what I’m wearing is just loaned to me for the night, and when the night is over, I go back to being me in my blue jeans and sneaks.
Dress, Naeem Khan.
HBZVBN. Every artist has someone they look up to. Who are some of your idols in the acting world, and how have they influenced your career?
CAYLEE COWAN: I’ve always really admired the actresses in the generations above me, but I’m also a huge fan of directors. Some of my favorites have been Stanley Kubrick, David Fincher, Destin Daniel Cretton, Damien Chazelle, and Greta Gerwig to name a few.
Dress, Naeem Khan.
However, the person who I look up to the most is Casey Affleck. He’ll always be my favorite artist.
Earrings, Graham Cruz. Golden top, Noritamy. Dented knuckle ring, Clam Ring. Skirt, Rizman Ruzaini.
HBZVN: Besides acting, you’re also known for your advocacy and involvement in various causes. Can you tell us about a cause that you are particularly passionate about and why?
CAYLEE COWAN: There are a lot causes that I care about that are outside the sphere of my immediate life – doing dishes, my career, running errands, fixing my car. I care a lot about the environment and animals. I want to contribute more meaningfully to those causes, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to do that while everything else is going on. I do what I can to contribute.
Dress, Atelier Zuhra.
I don’t eat meat. On my last movie, The Possession of Gladstone Manor, our director, Asher Levin, had a eco-friendly set, which I loved and wish all sets adopted. We used a canteen system for water, no one printed sides, we cut back on waste, and we recycled whatever we could.
Dress, Atelier Zuhra.
We worked with an organization called the Environmental Media Association and that association helps diverse subsection of entertainment industry influencers, entrepreneurs in business, and green icons dedicated to the mission of promoting environmental progress. By taking care of the environment, we are helping to leave the earth a better place for future generations.
Dress, Do Long.
HBZVN: Outside of acting, what are some of your favorite hobbies or activities that you enjoy in your free time?
CAYLEE COWAN: I love traveling. I love seeing new places and experiencing other cultures and ways of living. Thankfully, I get to do a lot of traveling through my work. I have also taken up a lot of new hobbies through my characters such as knitting, crochet, horse back riding, and painting. When I’m not working, I love to cook and have game nights with friends. We play a lot of chess in my house.
Dress, Do Long.
HBZVN: Finally, when you think about the future, what are your dreams and aspiratons, both in your professional career and personal life?
CAYLEE COWAN: In the future, I hope to continue making movies. I’m pretty happy with my life right now, and I’m grateful that I get to work with people I admire. In my personal life, I hope to cross a few more dream destinations off my bucket list. I hope the relationships I have will grow deeper and stronger, and that I’ll make some new friends along the way too.
Earrings, Graham Cruz. Golden top, Noritamy. Dented knuckle ring, Clam Ring. Skirt, Rizman Ruzaini.
Wardrobe Stylist: Alex Shera @a.shera.style.
Assistant Stylist: Welch Ingram @awelch.ingram
and Georgia Miguel @georgiaofthe_jungle.
Hair & Makeup: Trenton Martinez @trentonn
and Christopher Miles @christophermilesmakeup.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
