Recently, the LA Team had the pleasure of interviewing style guru Darren Kennedy.
He has presented t.v shows in Ireland and the UK, made countless appearances on Off the Rails & Ireland AM and he founded the online magazine HelpMyStyle.ie. Now we have the chance to really find out about the man behind the style!
So you are a TV Presenter, fashion stylist, and a blogger! Let’s start with the fashion styling. How long have you been a fashion stylist?
Looking back at it, I always had a very natural interest in design and was quite creative and loved art and painting growing up. My mam is a very stylish lady with a fantastic eye and a natural flair, so she instilled a lot of that in me. I studied a four-year degree in International Business and Languages and lived in France for two years before moving into TV full time. Working on screen, style in every sense is a big part of it and for me it marries my two passions. I also attended London’s premier fashion college Central Saint Martins, that was an incredible experience.
What is it about fashion that you really love?
What’s not to love! The storytelling, the personality, the creativity and of course the fun of it all. On a personal level I draw inspiration from my travels, my work and nature. Colour and texture are very important to me in. I used to work in Paris and love the rich architecture and way of the life which is reflected in how people there dress. What we see around us in nature is constantly growing and changing as well as being cyclical. I like to think of style as the same.
If you could style one celebrity, who would you most like to work with and why?
I would LOVE to work with Tom Ford. I think his work is incredible and he has a great sense of his own style. He is such a perfectionist and I’d love to get the inside track to how he operates his business.
We have often seen you on Xpose, but where else can our readers see you work?
I’m currently hosting the viewer Style Challenge strand on RTE’s Four Live every Tuesday which see’s two fashion lovers go head to head against the clock to style a look from a specific trend. It’s great fun! Also I recently completed the new 13 part BBC series ‘Project Parent’, as well as appearing on ITV’s This Morning. On the airwaves catch me every Monday morning reporting on the X Factor on 2FM. And of course check out my weekly Style Dilemma column in the Independent Weekend magazine…Phew!
Who is your favourite designer?
Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, Acne…I could go on!
Who is your favourite Irish designer?
In terms of Irish designers I really like the aesthetic of Joanne Hynes and Simone Rocha.Her new capsule collection for Topshop is lush!
What’s a great fashion tip that you can share with our readers?
Here are my top three!
1. Always dress for yourself and be comfortable in your clothes. Confidence is the biggest factor in achieving timeless style.
2. Always prioritise wearing well-cut, good quality fabrics with an excellent fit. Attention to detail really separates those with a true sense of style from those that don’t. It’s not rocket science but subtle details will really up your style kudos.
3. My mantra – All life is a stage and how you portray yourself is how you are perceived.
Don’t be afraid to take risks but always keep in mind what works for you.
Now to the blogging! Your blog HelpMyStyle.ie is huge! How many readers on average do you have now?
HelpMyStyle.ie receives on average of 60,000 per month and growing. I’ve been completely overwhelmed with our ever growing following and our fabulous readers!
How much work goes into your blog? Do you work on it solo or do you have a team to help?
If you want to succeed at anything a huge amount of work and commitment is necessary. This is definitely the case with HelpMyStyle.ie. It’s all work I love and I enjoy being busy. I write as much as I can and I’m also editor in chief. We’ve build up a team of enthusiastic and talented writers – including our resident nutritionist, make up artist, fitness expert and fashion writers!
Why do you think your blog is so successful?
You tell me? Ultimately it boils down to talented people writing what they are passionate about.
If you had to interview one celeb for your blog, who would you choose and why?
Rihanna for her boldness, Daphne Guinness & Florence Welch for their quirky sense of style & fun and Jennifer Aniston for her every day femininity and sophistication.
What do you love most about your job?
The variety in each day and the people I meet. It’s always incredible to see how style can change and shape our view of the world. Ultimately, whether I’m in studio filming, on radio, writing or working with personal clients, I always aim to work hard and bring laughter into each day!
Check out Darren’s blog at www.helpmystyle.ie
for your fashion & beauty fix
Love The LA Team x
