Dubliner Jennifer Stevens talks to us about working in fashion, her journey to becoming Editor of U magazine and why she’s delighted that the jumper is back in the sartorial spotlight…

The path to becoming an editor never appears straight forward. Tell us about your journey?
I’ve been a magazine editor and journalist for 12 years now. I started on House and Home and Confetti and Woman’s Way. Then I was the editor of Irish Tatler, which had always been my dream job. After that I gave up magazines and joined the news room of the Evening Herald which was a massive change of pace but mags are my true love and I came back to edit U and move it from a monthly to a fortnightly title.

What was your big break?
I was very young when I applied for the editorship of Irish Tatler but Norah Casey saw something in me and took a chance for which I’ll always be grateful.

Two words to describe your style?
Classic with vertiginous heels!

Style or Trends?
I’m not really one for following trends. I’ve worked in the industry so long that I know what suits me and try to stick to it.

Today I’m wearing…?
A navy kimono style top from Warehouse, skinny ankle length Salsa jeans and very high grey peep-toe heels.

Style icon?
Can it be fictional? I want Betty Draper’s wardrobe in Mad Men.

Favourite trend this season?
The jumper. I love a good jumper and would live in cashmere sweaters all year if I could.

Favourite beauty product?
Chanel No 5

Can’t live without…?
Mascara. The blacker and fuller the better.

What’s a typical day?
There is no typical day. There is always a curveball thrown in somewhere.

Toughest part of my job?
There are many tricky parts but I would never complain. It’s a great job.

Favourite hangout?
My couch!

Friday night treat?
A bottle of wine

Your perfect weekend is…?
A nice hotel, a delicious meal and my lovely fella

Last time you laughed out loud?
We laugh out loud in the office all the time, there is much inappropriate joking.

What’s on your iPod?
An awful lot of stuff that I wouldn’t own up to if someone found it.

What advice would you give anyone trying to break into the business?
To keep trying. It can be difficult but be prepared to intern and help with anything. I did, it’s how I got my foot in the door. If you’re willing to work hard you’ll get that job eventually. Lots of the people who work in Harmonia started out as interns.

If you could write your ideal job description, what would it be?
To be the editor of U magazine, it might sound cheesey but it’s true.

Jennifer is hosting the upcoming U Highstreet Style Awards alongside Dragon’s Den’s Norah Casey. In their third year, the awards will feature a fashion show with all the trends for the Autumn / Winter, followed by the awards ceremony. You can vote for their favourite highstreet store by picking up a voting card in store, checking out the latest edition of U Magazine or online at www.harmonia.ie/ustreet . Limited tickets to the event are available for the public to buy. Tickets are €15 or 2 for €25 and are available to buy from www.harmonia.ie

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