DEIRDRE MCQUILLANtalks to Róisín Walsh, buyer, Millars of Clifden
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE WEARINGThe dress is by Sub Couture, a new label we are stocking. The diamond pendant is from Hartmanns in Galway, and my engagement ring was purchased from an antique shop in Galway run by the late Mrs Emerson. The diamond tennis bracelet was a gift from my sister Siobhán, and the silver bracelet, which I've had for the past 15 years, is by Dorothy Corona.
YOU OBVIOUSLY LIKE TO SHOP IN NEW YORK?I love New York and spent a lot of time there when my sister lived there. My favourite shops are Barneys, Macys and little boutiques. Century 21 is amazing and I love Ann Taylor Loft, which always has very wearable, accessible clothing.
FASHION BUYERS AREN'T SENTIMENTAL ABOUT CLOTHES?I disagree. I've become very sentimental about clothes. I love (the Irish designer) Mary Grant and have become very attached to her stuff and would be loath to hand it over.
WHAT IS THE MOST YOU'VE EVER SPENT?About €500-€600 on a dress by Ichiko, six years ago in the County Boutique in Ennis. It's another brown wool dress, beautifully made, and I still wear it.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE COLOURS?Black, brown, beige, green, and I like red, too. In summer I wear creams and shocking fuchsia pinks, any strong colour. I can't wear pastels.
DO YOU BUY WITH SPECIFIC CUSTOMERS IN MIND?You have to think about customers. I imagine various customers that I have when I'm buying, and think about what suits them. As for myself, I usually hold back a bit before I buy for myself from the shop – after you have lived with the clothing for a while, desire dissipates, the buzz goes out of it.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE BRAND/LABEL?I am very excited about the new Sub Couture label, from the same company that owns Paul Costelloe. I think that the designer Nicolas Georgiou will go from strength to strength, and Millars and Design Platform are the only stockists in the west of Ireland. I am also wearing a lot of Oska recently – it has really developed a new image with a lot of interesting details.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN FASHION?I've been a fashion buyer since the age of 17 when my first job was in the Blue Cloak in Galway. My mother was a big influence and always very interested in fashion – we used to come to Dublin to Richard Alan and Brown Thomas to buy my clothes, and I remember finding my debs dress, with her.
WHAT ABOUT GROOMING?My hair is naturally curly and I have surrendered to it. I used to try and straighten my hair, but I eventually gave up and left it as it is. I'm a low maintenance individual.
HOW HAS THE RECESSION AFFECTED SALES?People are definitely more conscious of cost and I think they want quality rather than quantity and are not going for disposable stuff. I don't particularly like high street fashion, though I can understand for economic reasons why people buy there.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?I get such a kick out of people coming in and looking for advice. I could spend hours with them. An American woman came in recently at 10.30am and didn't leave until 2.30pm and she bought five pairs of trousers and two jackets. I love dressing people – it's good fun.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D NEVER WEAR?Ugg boots, bare midriff, mini skirts, piercings, cream shoes with black tights.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?Casual and easy. But I also like a little bit of quirkiness.