Sirin Lewenden, interior designer talks to
DEIRDRE McQUILLAN
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE WEARING: The grey tunic is from Joseph, the skinny jeans DKNY and the embroidered Indian shawl was a gift from a friend. The black wedges are by Ralph Lauren and the jade necklace was a birthday present – I love jade. I got the flower ring in Dubai on one of my trips, and the other rings are from Cobra Bellamy in London.
YOU OBVIOUSLY TRAVEL A LOT: My work takes me everywhere. I used to be based in London and I did a lot of work in the Middle East, Kuwait, Jordan and Dubai, designing interiors mostly for top-end and private clients.
HAS IT INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE? When you come back from different cultures, you realise how contrived we can be, so I pick up bits and pieces that brighten up the dull colours we wear. I have lots of kaftan-type tops I wear in the summer.
FAVOURITE DESIGNERS?I like being well tailored in winter, and I love Dries Van Noten for the textiles and eclectic mix, which is a bit of an ethnic look, though it is tailored. I love Joanne Hynes – the femininity of her dresses and separates. YSL is fantastic at the moment for tailoring.
YOU'RE A SHOPPER! I don't like shopping at all. I like to keep it quick and simple as possible, so I do research first, look at magazines, decide what I want and then find it. I will only focus on a few key pieces. Now I am going to focus on fewer pieces and recycle a bit more. I keep all the good pieces – some things I have worn for six years and more, like a pair of Gucci biker boots I've had for eight or nine years – and they will be out this winter again.
THE MOST YOU'VE EVER SPENT? About £3,500 on a leather coat by Balenciaga from Harrods, and my other favourite item is a pair of Balmain leather trousers last year – you can wear them with everything.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Eclectic. I hate the contrived look and wearing everything brand new. I like a touch of old and a touch of new. I don't like looking as if I've tried too hard.
ANY ADVICE? Keep it simple. Don't clutter with too much jewellery. Good tailoring is important. I think jewellery can absolutely kill an outfit. A good haircut is essential. You could wear a black plastic bag and if your hair looks good you can look a million dollars.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR OWN HAIR? I go to Cowboys and Angels on South William Street, who keep your hair looking natural and don't follow trends. They are extremely good with long hair, and cut and colour are always perfect. I usually have it cut short in winter and longer in summer.
FROM WHOM DID YOU INHERIT YOUR STYLE? From my mother, who loves clothes. I even have a cocktail dress of hers, which she probably bought in Belfast before I was born. I think having style involves sticking to things that suit your personality and shape.
DO YOU APPLY THE SAME PRINCIPLES TO INTERIORS? In terms of colour, fashion and interiors would be pared back. I believe that less is more. As in fashion, I think it is important to have good one-off pieces that you adore.
ANY FASHION WEAKNESS? I am mad about shoes and good costume jewellery – signature pieces. For shoes, I absolutely love Alaia at the minute. I even have the same shoes in two or three colours. I can't walk in flats.