Darren is currently presenting the brand new 13-part series ‘Project Parent’ with the BBC. Prior to making the move across the water, Darren worked with RTE (the Irish National Broadcaster) on TV and Radio across a variety of lifestyle & entertainment programmes.
These include three series of the hugely successful weight loss series Operation Transformation, The Gerry Ryan Show, Showhouse The Afternoon Show, Off The Rails, The Daily Show and Mooney on RTE Radio. (View showreel below)
Darren presented Entertainment News on RTE 2’s flagship youth programme TTV, researching and reporting the latest news in the worlds of music, entertainment & fashion live in studio every week.
He became a firm favourite with listeners on the Gerry Ryan Show on RTE radio, hosting a weekly segment alongside the legendary G Ryan. He has interviewed the likes of fashion giant Tommy Hilfiger and footballer Ronaldo.
In 2009, he combined his love for all things style and keen interest in technology to launch fashion bible www.helpmystyle.ie. He is also a columnist with the Irish Independent Weekend magazine where he writes a weekly style page, tackling reader’s style dilemmas as well as being style columnist with GCN magazine.
Darren is a total francophile and speaks fluent French. He holds a first-class honors degree in International Business and Languages and attended London’s premier Fashion College Central Saint Martins.
Darren is an experienced and charismatic presenter. A popular MC, he is regularly requested to host events, award ceremonies, Galas, fashion shows and corporate launches.
PERSONAL SHOPPING: Working with you to help develop your personal style, Darren will accompany you on a shopping trip to choose items and outfits that suit your shape & budget, leaving you looking & feeling fabulous! Duration of personal shopping trips vary from one hour to a full day depending on requirements. A minimum of two hours is recommended.
MAKEOVER NCT: As above but also includes getting your hair and make up made-over by some of the country’s top professionals who will also offer tips on how to achieve and continue your new look in daily life.
WARDROBE OVERHAUL: Sometimes you just need a helping hand when it comes to evaluating and rediscovering your wardrobe. I’ll work with you to weed out your wardrobe, help decide what you should get rid of and how to re-style & re-look the items you have. I’ll also create a list of items missing from your wardrobe to complete your look.
WEDDING / SPECIAL OCCASION: Have a special day in your diary where you really want to make an impression? Maybe you’re mother of the bride, going to the races, attending a Gala or celebrating a special birthday and want some guidance on what’s appropriate to wear. Let Darren help!
FRIENDS DAY OUT: Why not treat yourself and make it a fun day out with your friends & family? Darren will take you and your friends (mother, sister, daughter, best friend etc…max 3 people) on a shopping trip to be remembered. At the beginning of the day, each person sets out their individual goals and what they’d like to achieve.Taking this on board Darren facilitates a tailored shopping trip for all your needs, offering guidance and tips on what works for each person. And of course a day out shopping with friends is never complete without cocktails at the end of the day!
STYLE PARTIES: Tap in to your friends wardrobe during an evening of fun. Invite a minimum of six friends who each have to bring items of clothing that their fed up with and are willing to swap. Darren will work with each individual on their body shape, help to define a look that works with your shape and lifestyle, restyle the clothes and create a new look without breaking the bank.
STYLING FOR TV: Dressing for TV is quite specific and there are some essential dos and don’ts to make sure you look your very best on screen. With nearly a decade’s experience working in television Darren is an expert at styling for TV and knowing what looks good on screen. So if you’ve got a TV appearance coming up, let us help you look your best on screen.
POWER DRESSING: Looking the part makes you feel the part. So if you’ve got an interview you really want to nail or you’ve just got that promotion and want to make the right impression, Darren will arrange a tailored shopping trip with advice on what colours & style are appropriate in a work environment.
MEN: Men’s needs are obviously very different from women’s and their styling tends to be more understated but no less important. HelpMyStyle.ie offer a range of options for men, tailored to get the results you desire.
COMMERCIAL: Darren also works with a range of corporate clients offering styling for print, media and TV, devising style concepts and delivering results that constantly exceed expectations.
I called Darren in to help me as I was returning to work after being on Maternity leave for my second child and I was feeling low in confidence and weary about going back. I needed an injection of positivity, and I have to say as soon as I spoke to Darren on the phone he was great. We went through my wardrobe (which I dreaded) but we had lots of fun and laughter clearing it out. We then hit the shops!! Which I thought was going to be hard-work but whatever Darren’s magic is we had the best time, so much so we ran out of it! The clothes Darren chose for me I would have never thought suited me, I love them and I learned a lot about me. I believe every woman should do this once, it’s fun and makes you feel great and we all need to feel good these days!
Thank you Darren for such a special day and I look forward to the next time.
As a busy working mum, I have not been able to really get my wardrobe in order and the thought of spending hours trawling through the shops was nothing but daunting, along with the fact that I had no idea what suited me and what didn’t! Darren was someone from the word go I knew could help me, even with my stubborn nature! In one shopping trip I got some work wear, casual wear and best of all he helped me get sorted for a black tie event. Not only do I feel better about my overall look, I can’t wait for the next trip when he sorts out my summer wardrobe. Overall he made me feel great about myself and allowed me to leave my “safe” style for something more fun and daring. It really did me the world of good and blew the cobwebs off my shopping brain. I would recommend Darren without hesitation for anyone looking for a stylist who works with your personality and budget.
Hi Darren, Just wanted to say thank you very much for all the help on the shopping trip recently. As someone who does not enjoy shopping for clothes, because when I do go, I don’t know where to start and it takes me so long to make a decision as to what to buy, it was great to be able to completely overhaul and update my wardrobe in a few hours with your knowledge and advice. The reaction from family and friends has been great too with plenty of compliments and remarks on how well the new gear looks… success!
Time is in short supply as a working mum with two young children. I had been finding myself shopping on the fly and then spending precious minutes in the morning gazing into my wardrobe hoping for inspiration on what to wear that day. Darren helped me to dust off the shopping side of brain to think about what type of clothes I needed to cope with my lifestyle – whether in the office, at the playground, doing the housework or putting on a bit of glam for a night out. He put together pieces from my wardrobe that I never would have thought about wearing together before, creating new outfits before we ever hit the shops! When we did, Darren’s relaxed manner and sharp eye made the fitting room marathon an enjoyable experience. I came away not only with new outfits for my working week but lots of tips on what suits my shape and where to go to pick up the next pieces on my list. Most of all, it was a lot of fun! So, Darren – this note comes with a big THANK YOU!
First and foremost, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Darren for taking me on board and proving to me I can still be stylish in my fifties. Before I got married I used to model and I was always surrounded by beautiful clothes. Back then I had a great sense of style but when I had my first baby I stopped working and pretty quickly my wardrobe filled up with lots of baggy ‘practical’ clothes. Over the years I seemed to lose my sense of style and didn’t feel comfortable trying on clothes I didn’t already have. I completely steered clear of anything that showed off my figure. Darren has given me the confidence to push myself that little bit extra and rediscover what I loved about clothes back when I was modeling… The only problem now with my new found love of clothes is the effect on my credit card!
If I were to sum up my style in one word before meeting Darren it would be ‘safe’. The classroom is my office and facing 30 very energetic kids everyday takes its toll. I’ve been teaching nearly 25 years now and over time what I wear in the classroom has become my style. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, in fact a lot of people would compliment me on my choice of colours and the like but there was nothing different about it. I wanted a new wardrobe for the evenings & weekends so when I wasn’t working I was me again and not just ‘teacher’. A day out with Darren helped me break out of my school uniform, literally. I now know how to break up my wardrobe between work wear and leisure and it feels great to change my clothes when I get home from school.
Hi Darren. Just a quick line to say a huge THANK YOU for the styling session last week. I normally dread going near clothes shops but I must say you made it all very easy (even fun) and I love the stuff I got – just can’t wait to try it all on now. I have an awards ceremony in the autumn so I’ll be back to you then for a more formal look. Get the thinking cap on…Again, much appreciated. You did exactly what it says on the tin – you helped my style!
#1 First and foremost there are no rules when it comes to fashion just be yourself.
#2 Never be a slave to fashion and keeping up with the latest trends!
#3 Mix & Match – it’s fun and a great way to update your look without costing a fortune.
#4 Wear clothes that fit correctly. Wearing clothes that are a size too big will make you look shapeless and frumpy. Clothes that are a size too small are just wrong. Always make sure what you wear is correctly fitted to your shape and you’re off to the right start!
#5 Assessorising is SO important – the right items can make or break an outfit.
#6 Only ever buy clothes you are happy with and feel comfortable wearing.
#7 Investment buy: items that will last season after season and still work with your look. Investing in a timeless style coat with a great shape that works on you will keep you going for years!
#8 Make sure you have some basic essential items in your wardrobe – see ‘Wardrobe Essentials’ below for both men & women.
#9 Know what colours suit your skin tone: All skin tones differ and wearing the wrong colour can really have a negative effect on
your overall look. Experiment with different colors and stick with the palettes that look best on you regardless of what’s in trend. Avoid clothes that make you look pale or washed out.
#10 Choosing the correct tights: You’ll look taller and trimmer by matching the color of your tights to your shoes. Wearing a different colour can look really hot but be aware that a different colour will draw the eye to your legs. If that’s not what you want, then stick with the same colour.
Some classic pieces, that fit you properly, are not outdated, and bring out your best features.
Little Black Dress:
It’s a classic for good reason and one of the most essential in women’s clothing. Extremely versatile, the LBD will work at nearly any occasion. Get the right dress that flatters your shape and you’ll get years of wear out of it. Accessorising can bring it in line with the latest trends or keep it simple and classic.
Fitted Jacket:
A proper fitted jacket will accent the curve at the waist and dress up any outfit, perfect piece to put with a skirt or dress pants. Or make it casual with a pair of jeans.
Dress Trousers:
Black pants are probably the ideal and will flatter all figures and goes with everything.
Classic Shirt:
Find one that accentuates your best attributes and minimizes trouble spots. For example, if you have wide shoulders, stay away from large collars.
Jeans:
Invest in a good pair of jeans that flatter your shape and you won’t go far wrong. The right pair of well fitting jeans will go with almost anything.
Skirt:
It’s very easy to fall into a trap of only wearing jeans and trousers but you should have a skirt in your wardrobe. Dress it up for formal/business wear or dress it down for a more fun look. Pencil skirts for a feminine and sophisticated look with the right pair of heels to create a stunning chic look.
Stilettos:
Killer heels (ideally black) are a definite must have for every wardrobe. The right pair of stilettos will take you from daywear to eveningwear seamlessly. Suitable for the boardroom and the dance floor stilettos are stylish, feminine and a definite must have.
Classic Clutch Bag:
This is a timeless creation and can be the most ultimate piece to match your formal wear! It is stylish, classy and makes a great eveningwear accessory. Slip in your bare essential make up items and leave all the baggage at home!
A Suit:
Even if you only need a suit a couple of times a year, it’s great to know you have it when an occasion arises. Navy or gray suits are classic and neutral and can be dressed up or down. If going for a pin-strip, nothing too strong, keep it subtle. The blazer will also go well dressed down with some jeans. This is an item worth spending some money on.
Black shoes and belt:
These will go with everything (trousers, jeans, suit) and perfect for formal evening functions. Brown is also good but make sure to go for the black combo first so your never stuck.
White dress shirt:
White dress shirts look good on just about everybody. They look sharp and are versatile, good for day & night occasions. It never hurts to have a nice black shirt too.
Casual top:
A must have to wear with jeans or other trousers.
Jeans & casual trousers:
No explanation necessary here. Jeans are a staple of every wardrobe. Invest in a good pair, that fit well and you’re off to a great start. Casual trousers are also handy for slightly more formal occasions.
Coat:
A good coat really finishes an outfit and can be worn with everything including jeans. Ideally you should have a ¾ length coat and a waist length jacket.
