TV Feature
Fashion face-off
Monday 7 March 2011
This season, Off the Rails' top style team Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney take to the road, on a mission to bring style around the country. As always, they'll have all the latest fashion news, the best style advice and the greatest insights into celebrities and their wardrobes. For the first time, Sonya and Brendan will go head-to-head in a fashion face-off. They'll also be showing how to get the look of your favourite style icons, as well as uncovering Ireland's best street style. They're certainly packing a lot in! We caught up with the fashion-forward duo to get all the news on the show and to discuss what's hot this season.
Sonya Lennon
You've taken the show on the road - are you enjoying this new element?
Sonya Lennon: It's brilliant! We're very lucky - because the message of the show is so positive, we get a great response from the public and that interaction is such an important part of it all. It just seems right that we make the audience a part of the show. The response so far has been fantastic, we pitch up in our not so luxurious mini-bus and we all celebrate by having McDonalds on the way home but I can't do that for much longer!
Where do you go to shop outside Dublin?
I was super impressed with Cork - they have some amazing vintage shops and independent retailers. Kilkenny has a huge design legacy, and Galway is fantastic; we don't have a makeover candidate for there yet and there's fantastic boutique out in Clifden that I want to get to.
Everyone is budgeting now, so are you taking account of that in the new series?
It doesn't matter what you're buying - it needs to be value for money, whether it's from Penneys or Brown Thomas. If it's the right buy, it can represent value for money. We are very price-conscious, but at the same time I think there's still room to have that element of aspiration - that one fabulous thing! To deny the audience that would be worse.
Have your own shopping habits changed in the last few years?
I've never really bought a huge amount, so my habits haven't changed that much. However, I will admit that online vintage shopping is a minor addiction for me! To have the entire world of vintage at your disposal through the web is just brilliant. However, I would prefer to keep my money in the country so I do try to limit to online shopping.
Do you have a favourite Irish designer?
I make no secret of the fact that Tim Ryan is a good friend of mine and I absolutely love his clothes, but I think that now, more than ever, it's very difficult to say just one person because the talent in this country is huge and we're just about to see an explosion of the importance of Irish fashion on the international stage.
Where do you get inspiration for your wardrobe?
I get inspired by broader references than magazines and runway shows. When I used to do fashion shoots, I'd always reference film, literature and art.
Brendan Courtney
Tell us a bit about the new element of the show?
Brendan Courtney: This time around the makeover candidate unveils their new look on a runway, in front of their family and friends. Sonya and I have to do a fashion face-off every week, where we are pitted against each other and the crowd vote for the winning outfit. We actually take it very seriously - well, Sonya does! We also find the most stylish person in the town that we're visiting.
Are you enjoying being out and about with the public?
It's bonkers and intense but it's great. I really think we're onto something good here. It's very interactive with the audience and after a while everyone forgets about the camera and it's like a big fashion love-in.
Where's you favourite place to shop in Ireland?
It would have to be Galway - I love it! It's got its own little sub-culture going on and a great fashion scene. It's so compact and has many little hidden gems. I love Cork too, for the choice and craic.
Do you still get a buzz from working with the makeover candidates?
It's the best job in the world! I work on a programme that does something nice for people - there's not much of that around. I love it!
Do you ever get tired of fashion?
Never ever! When I'm going on holidays, especially to a beach destination, I get a thrill from travelling with just hand luggage, because it's such a change for me.
Fashion file
Brendan and Sonya break down the trends we should be focusing on this season and some key pieces to invest in
Brendan
* Colour is a huge trend this season. If you're a bit nervous about how bright colours are going to look on you, use it in the bottom part of your outfit - pants, skirt, etc., and then use cream or white on top.
* I think a bit of chaos is good, mixing and matching different prints and patterns. It's all about having a bit of fun with your clothes.
* Every year there seems to be an animal print - last year it was the deer and antlers on everything, this time around it's rabbits!
* Favourite shops this season - River Island, Topshop, Zara and H&M
Key pieces for spring 2011
* A full length skirt - there's lots of great shapes around so try a few on. It's really never been a better time to hide your legs.
* High-waisted, wide-legged jeans and trousers. They are brilliant for any tummy issues, they skim the hips and really flatter the figure.
Sonya
* I love all the bright colours that are around at the moment. I think Irish complexions can carry it off; you just need to hold it up to your skin or try it on and see if you can wear it and bear it. If you can't - bring some colour in through your accessories.
* The '70s vibe that's around at the moment is fabulous, it's very Mary Tyler Moore, Upper East Side as opposed to downtown Studio 54. If you do this look cleverly you can end up with some really enduring pieces - like lovely high-waisted trousers, gentle waterfall silk shirts and the round sunglasses. The key to this is to use subtle, neutral tones.
* I think River Island is doing amazing stuff, the shoes in Miss Selfridge are on fire at the moment and Zara as always, have absolutely nailed it.
Key pieces for spring 2011
* Shirts should be a new addition to your wardrobe and it's a subtle way of working the androgyny look.
* Brogues and loafers are huge - although heels are still around, it's time for people to come down off the stilts.
* I love the shirt dress - it's really relaxed and allows
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