A graduate of NCAD, Irish designer Marc O’Neill counts Jasmine Guinness, Madonna, Anna Friel, The Corrs and Victoria Smurfit as fans of his own designs. Currently Senior Designer of the Womenswear Autograph collections at Marks and Spencer, Marc has enjoyed an enviable fashion career. In 2001 Marc was appointed Womenswear Designer for Mulberry. He then moved back to the High Street working on design development for stores including Muji, LK Bennett, Zara Home, Principles, and Hobbs. Based in London, Marc is back on home turf as on of the judges in this years Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award.
Darren Kennedy caught up with Marc to talk style.
What five words best describe your style?
My personal style is restrained, understated, anonymous, monochrome, mildly eclectic
Best style tip?
Be confident. Know your colours. Buy quality pieces wherever possible. Don’t be afraid to experiment and mix.
Most desired fashion item – what’s top of your wish list at the moment?
I tend buy investment pieces and wardrobe staples. As an investment I buy vintage watches and have jackets made by my tailor in Dublin. Oliver Sweeney tan leather boots are currently on the wish list.
Favourite item in your wardrobe right now?
Sandro Peacoat. Great narrow fit and beautiful double-cloth. Also, I bought the Autograph Timothy Everest Tuxedo for my sisters wedding. Really great cut, especially as I am slim.
What’s in your bag right now?
I have a Jack Spade chocolate soft grain leather brief case. Mostly full of moleskine notebooks, Autograph sketches, pens and pencils and cuttings from magazines that I want to read when I’m travelling.
Worst and/or best shopping experience?
Worst – Mostly Airports, except for Heathrow Terminal 5
Best – Bluebird on the Kings Road, London, or Rhinestones in Dublin. It’s like a museum.
Best high street store?
Naturally I would like people to be more aware of what they might find in M+S.
Favourite place to shop?
Paris Marais. Especially the area close to Republique where smaller boutiques can afford to open. The Merci lifestyle store is a must. Also Liberty in London. I like shops that are well edited, and feel like they are full of collectables.
Fashion on the web?
Net a Porter for high end fashion. I am also proud that much of the Autograph garments on marksandspencer.com can be viewed on video, so you can really see what you are buying.
Worst fashion moment?
Losing my luggage in Mexico and having to purchase an outfit from the local market!
Who epitomises great style?
My grandmother. Especially in Louis Le Brocquy’s painting ‘The Spanish Shawl’
What era of style would you most like see return to fashion?
The 1940’s. There are already so many references to that decade all around us.
Finally, what do you want your style to say about you?
I prefer to observe, than be observed. However, I would hate to look austere or unapproachable.
An Exhibition of the twenty finalist’s designs in the Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award 2010 opens today (Thursday) in Powerscourt Townhouse and continues until Sunday 28th of March.
