DEIRDRE MCQUILLANtalks to Amy Huberman, Actress and novelist
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU’RE WEARING
The black leather jacket is from All Saints. I had been eyeing it up for weeks on end, but couldn’t justify buying it. The day I got the contract for my book from Penguin [Hello Heartbreak, which will be published on July 2nd], I went straight to All Saints in the Powerscourt Centre and bought it – I didn’t even need to try it on.
The pink chiffon top I got in Sydney, Australia, where I went with one of my best mates when I got a break. I can never plan taking a holiday. I bought it in a little shop in Bondi.
The jeans are from Urban Outfitters, another shop I absolutely love – they’re called jeggings – a cross between jeans and leggings. The suede ankle boots, which I got with a voucher from work, are Diesel. I love ankle boots and have about three pairs. And the suede and mock croc bag is by Giuseppe Zanotti, bought online. I dabble in a little bit of Ebay and I like the thrill you get from the little bets and the deals.
AND THE JEWELLERY?My diamond engagement ring from Brian [O'Driscoll] was specially made for me. I love its vintage look. The crystal bracelet by Cherry Chau was a birthday gift and the gold earrings were a gift from my dad. I can only wear silver and gold earrings even though I love costume jewellery.
ARE YOU A BIG SHOPPER?I am absolutely an impulse buyer. I was very much a trend follower like any teenager. Me and my friends had three tops between us and we would alternate them going to a disco, so we were not spoilt kids. I remember hiding in oversized clothes for a few years, but I got into clothing when I had more disposable income after college.
WHAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEM YOU'VE EVER BOUGHT?That leather jacket for €395.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SHOPS?I am high street to the core. All Saints, Urban Outfitters, Topshop and Zara have amazing value, and I also love Reiss for night-time.
FAVOURITE DESIGNERS?The only designer I've been wearing is Joanne Hynes and I am donating one of her dresses to the Buy My Dress event on June 11th. She has been good to me and given me stuff for events, like an amazing dress embroidered with crystals that I could never have afforded. I think it is nice to support Irish designers – maybe I am conscious of that because dad was in the fashion industry. Synan O'Mahony also made an amazing dress for me for the Iftas. I like Helen Cody, too, she is so romantic and girly.
WHAT ABOUT SHOES?I got a present of my first "wow!" shoes from Brian – a pair of gold Christian Louboutins – and it has unearthed an unbelievable passion for shoes in me. I now completely understand the aesthetic value of a beautiful shoe and it is so nice to look down on lovely footwear. Before, if I had 50 quid I would spend it on clothes like tops, not shoes. I also got a pair of Terry de Havilland shoes from Brian as a surprise. He understands how women love their shoes and it's a good present because I would never buy a pair of expensive shoes – it's so lovely and an absolute treat.
DO YOU FOLLOW TRENDS?I love Grazia magazine, it is good on trends, but I think it's nice to mix things up. Wet-look leggings, for example, can be too identifiable as a trend. I am not hugely into sequins and glitter, they're too garish, I prefer to dress down. I love leather jackets with a floral dress, that juxtaposition.
WHAT ABOUT COLOURS?I absolutely adore all this nude look stuff and I think you cannot beat a white shirt on a summer's day. And I love pink.
GROOMING?I am really into make-up. I love Mac eyeshadows, mineral make-up, and I am addicted to black eyeliner and mascara – I would not leave the house without them. I also like Dr Hauschka and Kiehl's, though they're cheaper online.
DO YOU SHOP ONLINE?I have bought a bit of Asos stuff, like tank tops, online. I have some of the Lipsy dresses which are good value at €50. I think BT2 is amazing. They have a nice mix and it is not about being exclusive. I am not interested in designer brands, though I have a black Diane von Furstenberg dress. I think when prices are hard to justify, I just don't go there.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?A mix of girly, vintage and sometimes a little bit hippy. I wear a lot of dresses and boots and skinny jeans with tops and that's my staple wardrobe.
DO YOU READ MAGAZINES?Because of my novel, I read loads of magazines for a year. I love the OKs, I love "Who Wore the Best" features, and I love to see how people dress differently.
WHO DO YOU RATE AS STYLISH?Alexa Chung [TV presenter] has real style confidence – even if I would not wear what she can wear. I think that confidence is about being in control and looking as if you don't try too hard. I think Topshop has done a lot for fashion and the whole idea of playing with fashion. I think Victoria Beckham has incredible style and class, but is sometimes quite safe and too structured. Sometimes I look at these women and wonder how they look every day in jeans.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION?I have a bag my mother was going to throw out when we were moving house. It is a wine leather saddle-shaped bag dad bought for her in Italy when she was pregnant with me. It's in a lovely oxblood suede. I got it restored and now she's asking if she can have it back.
HAS YOUR MOTHER BEEN A BIG INFLUENCE?My mother Sandra wears a lot more simple things than me. She has a natural and classic style and can be quite snobby about things. She's not a spender, but insists on quality and likes things that are never too fussy. She's a very simple and classic dresser.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DRESS?I have some idea – it's probably going to be long, but not white or ivory. But the wedding isn't until next summer, and married friends have told me that the dress they chose was completely different to what they had imagined. I'm a bridesmaid twice this summer, so I'll get some experience.
Buy My Dress, in aid of the Down Syndrome Centre, a sale of more than 1,000 “lightly used” high-street and designer dresses donated by Irish women, takes place in the Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street, Dublin on Thursday, June 11th from 10am to 9pm. For further details see www.buymydress.ie.