Darren Kennedy, 28, is a TV Presenter / Stylist from Santry, Dublin.
He is a regular voice on the national airwaves and a familiar face on the small screen presenting various shows on RTE, SKY & TG4.
He appears on RTE 2’s flagship TTV and is a regular guest on Wedding TV in the UK. A total Francophile, he’s a fluent French speaker having lived and worked in both Paris and Bordeaux and admits to having a soft spot for the French take on fashion.
We caught up with Ireland’s answer to Gok Wan for a quick fashion fix.
Georgina Heffernan: You have a very individual look - how has that evolved?
Darren Kennedy: From a young age I had a very keen interest in fashion. Growing up I was always slightly ahead of most of my friends in the style stakes thanks to borrowing from my older brother…much to the detriment of peace in our house!
Jeff, now a fire fighter, is 5 years older than me and always spent his money on clothes. I was constantly getting in trouble for pinching items clothes he’d only bought and hadn’t even had a chance to wear. In that sense I probably had a more mature sense of style than my years.
In my late teens and early twenties when I was studying in Ireland and abroad I was big into funky streetwear and colour – the bolder and brighter the better. Now I’d say my style has become more refined and subtle. I still love splashes of colour and don’t think that will ever fade.
GH: Do you feel that many Irish women are afraid to experiment their wardrobes? As a guy - how do you differ?
DK: I think a lot of Irish women play it safe when it comes to their wardrobe. I don’t necessarily view that as a bad thing unless you’re bored with your look and afraid to experiment with it.
I think one of the most important things when it comes to style is to feel comfortable and happy in the clothes you’re wearing. If it’s working for you and you’re happy and feel good about your personal style then I say: Go for it.
That said, there is a difference in playing it safe and being stuck in a rut. I think a lot of women fall into the latter category. Fashion and flirting go hand in hand and women (or men for that matter) shouldn’t be afraid to flirt with new looks.
GH: What do you wear when you are working and how does it differ to your everyday attire?
DK: It really depends on what I’ve got on in any particular day. Obviously when I’m on TV I’ll go for a slightly smarter but yet casual look. Mixing a smart skinny tie / shirt combo with some jeans or trousers and a pair of converse runners always works a treat. I’m really into ‘geek chic’ at the moment but I think wearing a collar on screen always looks good.
If I know I’m going to be office-based for the day well then it really depends on my mood that morning – it varies dramatically. It could be a shirt, waistcoat and blazer one day and the next a hoodie and jeans. One things for sure though is you’ll never catch me wearing the same pair of shoes/runners two days in a row. I have over 50 pairs and they are definitely one of my vices!
GH: Who are your favourite fashion designers and why?
DK: Diane von Furstenberg is amazing with a super sensibility and femininity to her clothes that I just adore. The colour in her lines tends to be really vibrant. I also really enjoy the dramatics of Vivienne Westwood. She’s nearly 70 and has been involved in fashion for so long yet still manages to be so creative and awe people with her clothes. There are so many other designers including Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Gucci, Dolce & Gabanna that I really enjoy.
In an Irish context I love the texture and emphasis on the figure of John Rocha’s designs. Joanne Hynes’ latest collection has a great edginess to it and is simple stunning. When it comes to men’s tailoring Louis Copeland is my favourite, hands down.
GH: How would you describe your personal style?
DK: My personal style is just that – personal. I wear what I feel good in and try not to get caught up in changing trends. From time to time a style will come along that I love but I’ll adapt it to make it work for me and my style.
Highstreet stores such as Topman bring out some great ranges that reflect what’s happening on the catwalk. But you’ve got to be careful not to get too caught up in them or the result can be disastrous! My personal style will nearly always infuse a blast of colour somewhere and I love to layer and play around with cultural icons.
GH: Have your shopping habits changed since the credit crunch started to bite?
DK: My shopping habits have always been somewhat erratic. One month I might not buy any clothes at all and the next I practically need a restraining order to keep me out of the shops and on good terms with my bank manager. The credit crunch hasn’t really changed that but I guess I’ll put more thought into how much wear I’ll get out of something if it’s expensive than I would have in the past.
GH: What's the worst fashion mistake you've ever had?
DK: When I was about 15 I thought cutting holes in all my jeans looked amazing…unfortunately I got a bit scissor happy and proceeded to carry the look through to my jumpers and t-shirts. The combined effect was not pretty and I looked like Worzel Gummidge for a few weeks.
GH: What's your favourite city to shop in and why?
DK: New York is up there in my top three but Paris definitely wins out. I love spending a lazy Saturday afternoon strolling around the vintage shops between Rue de Rivoli and Châtelet. I picked up the most amazing brown box leather jacket the last time I was there in January. Also love the Marais for its little boutiques and quirky shops.
GH: How has your personal style changed as you've grown older?
DK: My style has changed a lot over the years but I’ve definitely become more in tune with my own personal style. Over the past couple of years I’ve become much more aware of how important the cut of clothing is. An item that fits you perfectly will always look good and carry you from season to season. Now I’m far less inclined to follow fashion trends but prefer to do as Parisians do, borrowing items from the catwalk that compliment my look...
GH: What’s your favourite high street store?
So many to mention. Urban Outfitters have some great retro gear and Topman is always worth a visit. For ladies, I think M&S and Oasis have some great, really well fitted clothes.
GH: What's next for you?
I’m keeping busy with my TV and radio commitments here at home and building on my TV work in the UK. My styling work is going from strength to strength and I want to continue building on that. Working Stateside has always been a dream and I’m hoping over the next year that will become a reality.
