Jenny Lee Masterson is one of Ireland’s most popular models.
She started modelling in 2004 when she competed in the Miss Ireland competition and since then she has been working, pretty much, non stop on photo shoots, press call's and catwalk shows.
She recently swapped strutting the catwalk for treading the boards when she played Tinkerbell in the Cheerio’s Christmas Panto Peter Pan.
We caught up with the glamorous blonde for a quick Fashion Fix.
How has your look evolved?
I guess my look has evolved as I’ve grown up. Interests change, how you feel abut yourself changes; I always dress for myself and I wear what makes me feel good.
I’ve always been into fashion from a young age so much so that I used to try and make my own creations from whatever clothes I had, I was always altering things and I still do.
My sister was into The Cure back in the early nineties, and so had an interesting wardrobe; I used to wear some of her clothes but I altered them to suit my image and look. I always did and still do buy vintage clothing - Harlequin being a top favourite. I always wanted that something to make my look different from the rest.
Are Irish women afraid to experiment with their looks? How do you differ?
I think some woman just don’t have the know how to experiment and so keep it simple and safe all the time for fear of making a huge mistake.
It takes courage to try new things especially if you’re not used to it. You have to feel comfortable. But I think it’s good to experiment because clothes can be so much fun but with the right advice. I know what I like and I know what I don’t like, and that’s half the battle for me.
What do you wear when working? How does it differ to everyday attire?
Well what I wear for work all depends on the show or the shoot or the event. What differs would be whether I’m travelling long distance for a show or a shoot I’ll dress comfortable wearing something that’s easy to throw on an off like Ugg boots in the winter with a big chunky jumper or flat sandals in the summer with jeans or a maxi dress.
If on the other hand I have an event I’m attending where many of my clients and prospective clients will be I’ll dress accordingly and make sure I’m looking my best. Again if I have a photocall in town I’ll dress comfortable always wearing flats to the job and in the winter I always wear my big parker coat.
Who are your favourite fashions designers and why?
There are so many fashion designers to choose from which leaves it hard to have a favourite so I’ll pick just a few. I love John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Christian Lacroix to name but a few and I like them all for the same reason I love what they do.
I love fashion and only wish I had the money to purchase some of these designer brands but I don’t so the high street will do and they do it so well so thank God for them.
Galliano and McQueen have to be top favourites solely because they don’t only give you fashion they give you theatre. McQueen’s shows in particular have been fascinating over the years and it just shows his passion for his art, which is exquisite.
Describe your personal style?
I would describe my style as eclectic. I love the boho look and a bit of rock chick too so I would often combine the two and come up with whatever I get.
I love nothing more than being comfortable so my everyday look would consist of skinny jeans, flat biker boots and a t-shirt, jumper or shirt worn with a blazer or leather jacket.
I throw on a scarf or a hat to accessorise and I also love to play around with jewellery loving in particular chunky jewellery and gems.
I alternate between silver and gold wearing medals that my granddad won for football or coins on chains from the year my grandmother was born which was 1912, I love anything that looks antique and old.
Have your shopping habits changed since credit crunch?
Yes my shopping habits have changed since credit crunch I think most people’s have. I would have gone shopping almost every week maybe every two weeks but now I’ve settled down.
I always hang onto clothes I know I can recycle because I think it’s so much fun to come up with my own ideas and create new things. I get great satisfaction from it.
Especially when it’s something like my late granddad’s blazer that I got altered to fit me and I wear his cardigans that people have commented on, I’ve incorporated them in to my own look. I’ll still go out and buy that’s not going to change because some clothes just get worn out but I’m definitely learning to try and wear more of the clothes that I’ve got!
What was your worst fashion mistake?
The only embarrassing one I can think of was when I was about 11 or 12. I got these new pyjamas and me being me and experimenting with fashion I thought the bottoms were groovy, they had some crazy design on them so I wore them out on the estate where I live with some sort of top thinking I was the bizz knowing I was taking a bit of a risk and well I got what I probably deserved a hell of a slagging so that was the end of that.
Favourite city to shop in and why?
Favourite city to shop in so far has to be Sydney for the vintage stores and London for the markets.
How has your style changed since you’ve grown older?
My style has changed so much over the years especially in the last five years. I’ve gone from wearing high heel boots and boot cut jeans with a top to flat boots and skinny jeans and t—shirts. I don’t follow trends so much but I’m definitely a skinny jeans gal from here on in.
I’ve gone from getting dressed up to the nines when I go out to now being comfortable with going out on a Saturday night in basically what I’d wear during the day and I think it comes down to confidence in yourself and your own personal style and owning it.
I love getting dressed up and I get to wear some amazing clothes as a model but my style in general I think now reflects my laid back attitude.
Favourite high street store?
My favourite high street store, well there’s a few but Zara because the clothes are amazing and so well designed and not too expensive.
Most expensive fashion buy ever?
Most expensive buy has to be a pair of Gina Shoes I bought for €500 for a wedding about 4 years ago.
What’s next for you?
Well while doing the Panto I got a taste for acting again as I had done some with the Gaiety School when I was a teenager so I’m currently training with The Irish Film Academy doing acting to camera course, so ideally I would love to venture into TV or film. But for the moment I’m back modelling and enjoying it very much.
