Former Fair City actress turned business women, Rachel Kavanagh has been bucking the recession with her booming beauty business and line of award winning tanning products Rockstar tan. Despite her recent short film, ‘My Happiness’, being shortlisted for the Beverly Hills Film Festival, Rachel has no plans to go back to acting full time. We caught up with the stunner to talk all things beauty & style…
Describe your style in five words?
Classic, understated, elegant, casual, comfortable
What item could you not live without?
Good Jeans. I do a big Jean shop once a year in NY. I love J-Brand jeans. They have so many styles and they suit my figure.
If your house was on fire and you’d only time to save one thing, what would it be?
Fashion Item – my classic Chanel handbag – I don’t think I could ever afford to replace it! Other than that it would have to be my Ruby King Charles-Charley. I’m totally besotted with her and she goes everywhere with me. I would be heart broken if anything happened to her!
What’s your beauty essential?
Rockstar Tan! I cant live without my self-Tan. I don’t tan naturally and the pale look really doesn’t suit my dark haired/eyes complexion. I have always battled to find a Self Tan that looked realistic and was kind to the skin-I couldn’t, so I created my own!
Most desired fashion item – what’s top of your wish list at the moment?
I’m really loving the Stella Mc Cartney Boot collection, at the moment. Her winter collection is amazing I want them all, but I just couldn’t warrant the money!
Top style tip?
Don’t be a slave to trends-wear what suits you and know your figure and what flatters it. We would all love to rock the latest trends but sometimes you just have to be realistic, and know that it’s not for your shape.
What’s in your handbag right now?
Far too much! Make up, wallet, chequebook, dog lead?!! And very randomly-bottle samples for new products I’m designing.
Who is your style-crush?
Its hard to pick a celebrity as such-because its usually their stylists who style them, not themselves! I think Diane Kruger always looks so elegant and chic. She knows what suits her and never over does it.
Best shopping experience?
Best for me is always Sacs 5th Avenue in NY. The staff are amazing and so helpful. The store is so well laid out that it never feels manic and over whelming.
Favourite high street store or boutique?
I love Zara. The clothes suit my figure and they are classic on trend pieces. I also love A-Wear. I think its really important to support Irish Business and I think they are doing an incredible job putting Ireland on the map for fashion retailing.
Favorite place to shop?
My sisters new boutique in London called EKA, in Shoreditch. It wont be open for another month but I’ve seen the designers she will be stocking and they are amazing! Its a mid market price range so its very affordable.
What is your travel essential?
A really well fitting bikini. I massively splurged on the most beautiful Myla bikini this year. It looks like underwear and compliments my figure in all the right places!
Fashion on the web?
Asos.com I love this site!! I’ve been shopping on it for 3 years now. I also love matchesfashion.com and netaporter.com for trend watching.
Worst fashion moment?
I would say most of my teens!!
What era of style would you most like see return to fashion?
With trends constantly re-appearing I think we have seen them all at this stage. But I adore the feminine lines from the 40’s and 50’s – Mad Men style. Women looked so ladylike with an under tone of pin up girl.
Finally, what do you want your style to say about you?
That I don’t try too hard. That I wear what flatters my figure and I look and feel comfortable in what I am wearing.
