WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?The coat, in Italian flocked wool, is from my winter 2009 collection. The silk dress is from the current one, the tights are Wolford and the cream patent lace-ups are from Office. The bag is mine as well, it goes everywhere with me.
DO YOU ALWAYS WEAR YOUR OWN COLLECTIONS?Recently, yes, because I've less time to shop. I started designing around my own lifestyle – work, holidays and weekend, so it works for me.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SHOPS?In Milan, 10 Corso Como – I love their books and their whole concept of merchandising. I like Colette in Paris and Dover Street Market in London. A favourite bookshop is Marie Louise in Soho, for its very current selection of art, design and fashion books and some limited editions.
WHAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEM YOU'VE EVER BOUGHT?Maybe a coat by Yohji Yamamoto about six years ago which cost £1,800, but is still great. It's the kind of coat that's the last one left on the shelf and is difficult, but for me it is great. I don't generally splurge on coats, more on shoes and accessories.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST BUYS?The most perfect pair of black Prada ankle boots, super plain without any logo (I don't like logos), and a Jil Sander bag at a crazy price from Le Bon Marché in Paris – they work for me and make me feel good.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE:I look at what's happening (in fashion) and rebel against it slightly. I have a zeitgeist radar in that I tend to be good at predictions, and initially my collections were a little more ahead trendwise. I suppose I'm a mix of elegance in an edgy way, and that is what I would aspire to in my work, but I avoid categories. I don't really like the idea of women dressing to be overly sexy. I think that's a lonely place.
WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU?Clothes are like personal armour and they should be your way of facing the day and feeling that you are able to handle any situation, and that when you walk into a room you feel good. I express myself through my collection – it's an extension of me.
DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A DESIGNER?I thought I wanted to be a painter because I was interested in colour and in the process of painting. I thought I'd be more like a fine artist than a fashion designer. There's a lot of thinking behind fashion that's not recognised, but that's the nature of the industry.
DO YOU WEAR A LOT OF BLACK?Everything is anchored by black and although I do wear colour sporadically, black has to come into it.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PET HATES?Shabby shoes.
WHAT ABOUT HAIR AND MAKE-UP?I like hair scraped back, I think it's powerful and feminine. I very seldom have my hair cut, and only when I need it. I find going to the hairdresser very difficult and prefer my hair a month after it has been cut. I think I'm good at make-up, it's not a challenge for me. Maybe it's an artistic thing and another form of expression.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF IRISH WOMEN'S STYLE?They're a lot more groomed than they used to be and [good grooming] has become a more serious issue. They are much more aware generally, across the board, when it comes to fashion. A lot has happened in the past 10 years.
Joanne Hynes’ spring/summer collection is in Brown Thomas, Dublin. Make-up by MAC pro team at Brown Thomas