MY STYLE

Deirdre McQuillan talks fashion with journalist and fashion stylist Annmarie O'Connor.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE WEARING A silk dress by Reko, a black mini tux and shoes, all from TopShop. The red belt is from Oasis, the black ring from Miss Selfridge and the bag from Asos.

YOU'RE A HIGH STREET SHOPPER OBVIOUSLY? Yes, and vintage. I am great at finding a bargain and am careful about what I spend. I used to be flippant and had a wardrobe of clothes I never wore, such as 50 T-shirts and no jeans, so now I consider what I purchase in terms of what I have already.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN FASHION? Yes, since I was a little girl. I have four older sisters who have been a big influence and I always admired them, as a younger sister would, especially my twin sisters who were quite punky.

WAS YOUR MOTHER AN INFLUENCE? She used to make all our own clothes. She made beautiful dresses when I was young and I always looked different. I remember her knuckle in my back as she taught me to walk properly in court shoes with two-inch heels and books on my head when I was 12. She also taught me to embrace my height, not hide it - I am 6ft.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT A CAREER IN FASHION? I was always interested in fashion, but writing was what I wanted to do, and now I have been able to combine the two.

WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR STYLE? The past - sirens of the silver screen such as Sophia Loren and Katharine Hepburn and Jackie O. They had such elegance and always looked well-dressed. I also get ideas from street blogs such as Dublinstreets. I like Agyness Deyn because she mixes masculine and feminine so well, and Erin O'Connor, too.

WHAT ABOUT MAKE UP? I wear lipstick as make-up because I am not very adept at putting on make-up. As for hair, I am low maintenance - either pixie or punk. It is very easy to manage and I get it cut by Donna at Anthony Murray in Temple Bar.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULDN'T WEAR? Skinny jeans, because I look like a turnip in them. I tend not to wear collars because I feel hemmed in by them. Nor do I wear pastels. I could never do the boho hippie look.

DO YOU WEAR A LOT OF BLACK? I have a lot of black, but I am veering towards navy, it's warmer on the skin. I prefer bright jewel colours.

WHAT'S THE MOST YOU'VE EVER SPENT ON AN ITEM? The most expensive item I have is a bespoke pair of Terry de Havilland boots - knee high Victorian riding boots with spindle heels and lined with ocelot, which he made for me when he was relaunching his brand. They were a gift, but they probably would cost well over €600 retail.

FAVOURITE ITEM? A vintage dress from Hayworthvintage.com a new Irish vintage site. It's a 1950s red jacquard dress pleated and embellished. It's really special.

DO YOU ALWAYS WEAR HIGH HEELS? I wear high heels as a general rule, up to five inches, or else boots - though I always carry a pair of flats in case I need them.

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? I like mixing masculine styles with feminine.