Corkonians Abroad: ‘I’ve worked on some of the biggest red carpets’

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Rochestown, Cork, and absolutely loved it. I was really involved with Donna’s Dance Studio growing up and have fond memories of performing in the pantos at the Cork Opera House.

I think all those dance classes taught me discipline, stamina, and resilience; skills that have stood to me in the career I have today.

I went to secondary school in Scoil Mhuire, bang in the centre of town, which I loved. I always knew I wanted to work in fashion and tried to get involved in the industry in any way I could from a young age. For my Transition Year work experience, I managed to land a week at Kiss magazine, where I got to assist on my first photoshoot with Corina Gaffey in Phoenix Park. It gave me a real taste of what the industry was like, and I wanted more.

I studied English and Philosophy at UCC. While at UCC, I was very active in the Fashion Society and wrote fashion articles for Motley magazine. I also secured a work placement at Image magazine, which gave me even more experience and confirmed that this was the path I wanted to follow.

I currently live in London.

How did you end up in London?

I moved to London in February, 2023. Before that, I had done a Graduate Visa in New York, which is where I first got involved in celebrity stylist assisting, working with Sarah Slutsky Tooley who has been an amazing mentor to me over the years. After New York, I returned to Cork where I finally put my English degree to use, working as a Technical Writer at Johnson Controls.

I didn’t plan on staying in Cork again as long as I did, but the pandemic made it difficult to make another move. Once things started to open again, job opportunities began to pop up in London. I was going back and forth between Cork and London for a while before eventually deciding to make the move full-time.

Looking back, I’m grateful for that time in Cork during the lockdown. It gave me the chance to spend quality time with my parents, the kind of time we might never have had otherwise, and I really cherish those memories.

How is life in your new home?

Life in London is busy, and every day is different. There’s always something happening every night of the week if you want there to be.

I live in Stoke Newington, which is surprisingly relaxed compared to the rest of London. It has a lovely, village-like feel with independent shops, cafés, and parks. It’s a great place to come home to and unwind after a busy day.

What has been the biggest challenge? And how have you tackled it?

It goes without saying that the cost of living in London is crazy. I know it’s not exactly cheap back home either! Being freelance adds another layer of stress, especially making sure I have enough work lined up each month to keep things ticking over. Striking a good work-life balance in my industry is tough too. It’s not your typical Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 gig, so I must be mindful of carving out downtime.

It’s also challenging to stay in touch with friends and family, but I try my best with voice notes, calls, and quick trips home whenever I can.

How might you spend your weekends?

My weeks are usually hectic, so I really look forward to chilling out on the weekends. I love a stroll around Broadway Market, it’s got such a great vibe and loads of tasty food. You can even get a chicken roll from Emerald Eats if you’re really missing home!

Lately, I’ve been going for swims at London Fields Lido, which is such a nice way to relax.

I also like catching up with friends at a wine bar or pub. There’s a brilliant Irish pub on my doorstep called The Auld Shillelagh that does the best Guinness in London!

Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live?

There aren’t too many big culture shocks, to be honest. I miss having proper delis, as cliché as it might sound, nothing beats a good chicken roll or jambon from Centra! The corner shops here just aren’t the same. One thing that did surprise me is how long it takes to get to the airport from the city. Sometimes it feels like the journey to the airport is longer than the flight to Cork itself. We’re so lucky to have Cork Airport only 15 minutes down the road.

Tell us about your line of work/career?

I work as a freelance celebrity stylist assistant, helping style celebrities for major events, photo shoots, and performances. I’ve been fortunate to work on some of the biggest red carpets like the Met Gala, Oscars, Brits, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards.

Beyond red carpets, I’ve also worked on music videos and artists’ performances and tours, which brings a whole new level of excitement and creativity to the job.

I’ve assisted on shoots for top fashion magazines such as British Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, and Grazia.

Recently, I’ve taken on the role of fashion coordinator for a new fashion magazine called Imagine, which is a fantastic opportunity to broaden my experience and explore different facets of the fashion industry.

I’m incredibly grateful for all the people who have helped me along the way - mentors, colleagues, and friends.

Tell us about your thoughts on opportunity - and how a different part of the world might offer more opportunities?

There are so many talented creatives in Ireland who are doing incredible things in the fashion sphere, and I’m always in awe of the innovation and ion that comes from home.

That said, the sheer number of events and productions happening in London makes it a place where you can really push yourself and grow. The scale of the city means there’s always something happening, and being surrounded by so many inspiring people has helped me develop my own skills and confidence.

For such a tiny island, Ireland’s presence is felt globally, and I’m always so proud to fly the flag for Ireland abroad, especially Cork!

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

One of my most memorable moments so far was assisting Justin Hamilton on the Sugababes UK and EU tour. I got to go to see them perform at the O2 London and see all our hard work come to life on stage. Growing up I was a huge Sugababes fan, so it was a full circle moment for sure! It was even more special because my best friend from Cork, Lauren, was visiting at the time, so she got to see first-hand what I do here in London.

I’ve also been fortunate to go backstage at The Graham Norton Show a few times for various clients. Knowing that Graham is a fellow Corkonian makes it feel like a special connection to home.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

Absolutely! My Mom and Dad have been my biggest ers, always encouraging me to chase my dreams. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. And to my friends who keep me laughing with voice notes and keep me up to date on what’s happening in Cork, I’m so grateful for you all.

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would be the ideal day for you?

My parents have moved to Ballintemple in recent years, and I love going for a walk along the Marina when I’m home. The newly developed Cork Marina Promenade is impressive and makes it such a nice place to be.

Food is always something I look forward to when I come home, no trip home is complete without getting a KC’s or Chinese! If the weather is good, I’d head to the beach. I love that Cork is so close to so many beautiful beaches.

The restaurant scene in Cork is amazing too, and some of my favourite spots are Goldie, Elbow Lane, or Moody, and I love going to Authur Mayne’s or Cask or for cocktails and tapas. It’s always great to soak up the atmosphere and see what’s new.

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

I’m going to see Beyoncé perform in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which is only 10 minutes away from where I live on the Overground, so I’m really excited for that.

I’m also going back to Cork soon for two weddings. My friends Áine and Donal and my cousin Kieran and his fiancée Laura. I’m really looking forward to catching up with family and friends then.

Is there anything that you especially miss about Cork?

The accent! I think the Cork accent is so unique, and it always makes me smile to hear it when I’m on a flight home from London.

I also miss the sense of humour, people in Cork don’t take themselves too seriously and are always up for a laugh. Other than that, it’s my family and friends. As close as London is, I don’t get home as often as I’d like to.

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