‘It’s OK to Feel Insecure,’ Assures ‘Modern Family’ Star Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland, who plays dim-bulb Haley Dunphy on the ABC hit Modern Family, skipped Sunday’s SAG Awards because of health issues, according to her announcement on Instagram.

Hyland, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2012 and has been open about her battle with kidney dysplasia, declined to speak about her health with Yahoo Style on Tuesday. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’d rather talk about Candie’s than that.”

Indeed, she is forthcoming about her collaboration with the brand; she’s the creative director and had a major hand in designing the Candie’s spring collection, especially the footwear.

“I am a shoe girl. I liked to call myself ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ in high school. I grew up in New York,” she says. “I went to school and all my classes were on the third and fourth floor. I would still wear heels to school. That was my thing. Stilettos were my life. I would get through it.”

This is her second year working with Candie’s, and this time around, she has a lot to say about the look and feel of the shoes and clothes. “I designed a few pieces myself,” she says, referring to a reversible bomber jacket as her favorite piece. “It’s edgy and tomboy but has a romantic vibe, and the other side is a chiffon print watercolor. That’s my baby. It goes with anything, jeans or a dress.”

Hyland says her mood, not the event, dictates what she wears in her everyday life. “I love fashion. I love everything from ’70s Tom Ford to ’90s grunge to Jackie Onassis. I love fashion. I love that it can represent the mood you’re in. I have very eclectic taste,” she says.

Ariel Winter, who plays Hyland’s brainiac sister on Modern Family, has embraced her curves, proudly wearing bikinis on the beach. Hyland is confident too.

“Ariel and I have very different body types. I grew up in New York. I have an attitude where, if you don’t like how I look, I don’t care. I want to feel comfortable in my own body,” says Hyland. “There are days I feel fat and I wear a sweatshirt and jeans and sneakers. There are going to be those days. And other days, I feel like I look amazing and I’ll wear low-cut jeans and a crop top. It’s important for women to embrace their bodies.

“It’s OK to feel insecure. Every woman feels like that. You’re not alone. It’s important to love your body and love your body for its size.”

Plus, adds Hyland, “you need to dress for your body type. You should know what looks good on you. It’s smart to show off the best quality about you. I have crazy long legs for my height. I know that if I want to look good and feel good, I will show my off my legs. I love a high slit.”

In real life, Hyland is dating Dominic Sherwood, and the two get hot and heavy all over her Instagram. On TV, she says, Haley also is in for some changes. “You really get to see Haley grow up a little bit. I feel like I’ve been saying that a long time. She’s 23 now. The difference between 20 and 23 is huge. You see her go through those phases of adjusting and, yeah, I heard a little rumor that made me excited — I can’t say what that rumor is. But fans will be really happy. It’s something to do with Haley. She’s not getting pregnant, no way.”

Well, that’s a relief.

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