Jackie Lavin is Bill Cullen's glamorous sidekick on TV3's The Apprentice, the reality show that won an IFTA award for 'The Best TV Show' in 2009.
Not one to rest on her laurels, 63 year old Jackie is currently working on her own cosmetic range 'Cloisters Cosmetics' and her own organic skincare range. Georgina Heffernan caught up with the former model, entrepreneur and now TV star to find out what makes her tick.
GH: You're clearly a fan of fashion. Do you enjoy experimenting with your look?
JL: I love fashion. I have been in the business for a long time, first as a model and then I opened my own retail shops and traded in the business for 18 years. I loved finding new brands that weren't in Ireland at the time and I travelled all over Europe to find them. For my own look, I really haven't really changed that much. I think that if you find a style that suits you and that makes you feel comfortable - you should stick with it. That is not to say that you should be caught in a timewarp. There are subtle ways of changing and updating your look without being a total fashion victim
GH: You've recently brought out your new cosmetics line- how did that come about?
JL: I developed a cosmetic line for The Cloisters Spa at Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney. I found it really hard to find a quality brand of make up to compliment the wonderful array of body and face treatments that we offer in the spa. I found that our customers wanted the complete look and so I designed "L by Jackie Lavin" with the busy woman in mind. It is a complete mineral range which is the purest type of cosmetic you can put on your skin. The foundations are liquid mineral and glide on leaving a lovely sheen. They also have a makeup brush attached so it’s really easy to apply. They also have a natural SPF and stay on all day.
GH: As a woman in the public eye, how to you deal with so much focus being paid to your appearance?
JL: Public eye or not - everyone has a duty to themselves to look as good as they can. You feel good when you look good.
GH: Who is your favourite designer? And your favourite high street store?
JL: I have been a fan of Armani for years and love to buy it in Italy where it is much cheaper. I also shop in high street stores and I notice that Next have really upped their game this year. I also love Topshop - especially their shoes and accessories.
GH: Do you dress very differently when you are appearing on 'The Apprentice' to how you would in real life?
JL: For ‘The Apprentice’ I tend to wear more "business" clothes. This year I wore a lot of dresses as that plain straight short dress was very in. I also need something that I can get into at 5am and still look good 12 hours later. I usually bring a change of shoes when I am on a task as I could be running all over the place after the candidates and 6 inch heels don't work in those circumstances. I could be in a DIY store or a festival or a leisure park or just on the street. You just never know. For my down time I wear a lot of jeans, tops and jackets.
GH: What is the best style advice you have been given?
JL: Less is more. Take a long look in the mirror before you go out and then relax and forget about it.
