- Culture
- 13 May 03
"Anywhere from Dunnes to designer stuff. Mark O’Neill made me some stuff, Antonia Campbell Hughes gave me a suit. And I’ve always been a hand-me-down person because I’m the youngest of ten kids"
How would you describe your style? I have my own look and it changes all the time because I’m changing. Some of my look is a little punky. And then I love classical stuff as well. So it’s kind of punky mixed with classical! I like comfortable clothes but at the same time I like well tailored stuff. I like materials and nice, interesting cuts – things that make me look as good as I can look. But I don’t like to think too much about what I’m wearing. So I suppose simplicity is where I’m at.
Where do you shop? Anywhere from Dunnes to designer stuff. Mark O’Neill is a friend of mine and he made me some stuff, Antonia Campbell Hughes gave me a suit. And I’ve always been a hand-me-down person because I’m the youngest of ten kids. If somebody gives me something and it’s not the right shape but I really like the colour I’ll cut it up so it fits me right.
Is image important to you as a musician? I think as a human being it’s important. You are what you look like – it’s part of who you are.
Is your style reflected in the kind of music that you play? Yes. I think my music and the way that I look is an extension of who I am. For me style is an extension of someone’s personality. And if someone is a follower of fashion and their style doesn’t really mesh with their personality it can look really ugly and uncomfortable. But if the fashion suits someone’s personality, then it can look amazing.
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Your most cherished piece of clothing or accessory? Em, that’s a good one because I lose everything. I’ve always been into hats since I was a kid and sometimes I can’t go out without one. But I’m always losing my hat. I had the most lovely hat and I lost it before I went away and when I came back I forgot and went to get it and I was like “Oh no! I lost it!” But it only lasted for about ten minutes, the sadness of it.
Who is the most stylish musician in the world, living or dead? David Bowie. He’s just so amazing looking. What he’s going through comes out in his clothes and I think that should be the aim for everybody. That’s what style is, for me: someone shining through into their outside self.
Ollie out of Turn, Maria Tecce, Bjorn out of La Rocca, Jerry Fish and Gabriela out of Rodrigo y Gabriela interviewed on style here