INTERVIEW: DEIRDRE McQUILLAN talks to Charlotte Temple former Irish Army officer, Magee retail manager
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE WEARING:The top is from Zara, the linen skirt is from Magee and the belt is a piece of silk I found in my mum's wardrobe. The leopard-print pumps are from Blue Velvet, a great shoe shop on the King's Road in London, and the green bag is from Longchamp.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE JEWELLERY?The Hermès bracelet is a birthday present from Granny, the silver snaffle bracelet and the horse pendant I got at Badminton Horse Trials. The silver dolphin ring is by Niall Bruton in the Donegal Craft Centre. I love jewellery, I love quirky things that are a little bit different. In the Army I could always wear earrings for some femininity.
WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE ARMY?I was in artillery, which is all the big guns. In Liberia in a battalion of 330, 30 were girls – I was a platoon commander.
WHAT SORT OF UNIFORMS DID YOU WEAR?In Liberia we wore khaki-style uniforms. At home, we had the No 1, the green uniform and the dress uniform. I have lived in uniforms since I was nine, and it is lovely now to be able to wear what I want.
WHAT SORT OF SHOPPER ARE YOU?I am not a great shopper, but if I need something I will go out and get it and probably twice a year I will have a bit of a blitz.
YOU'RE AN OUTDOORS PERSON, YES?I've been a personal trainer in London, I run triathlons, I cycle, swim, sail and ride – a bit of everything. I buy sports clothes and keep them for years and generally I like to browse for timeless outfits.
WHERE DO YOU SHOP?Magee, obviously , and Topshop, but if I was paid a bit more I would shop in Hermès and Etro. I have bracelets and scarves from Hermès and I think Etro shirts – their colours and patterns – are fantastic. On a more realistic level, Joseph and Whistles. I like the preppy look.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE:I think that being in a uniform for so long means that I now love wearing skirts and jumper dresses, but I am just as happy in jeans and a white shirt. I am quite conventional in what I wear, but I like things that are a little quirky.
WHAT ABOUT SHOES AND BAGS?I have really narrow feet and LK Bennett works for me and Blue Velvet pumps. I wear a lot of heels and buy mostly from LK Bennett and Ferragamo.
YOUR MOST EXPENSIVE BUY?When I was 18 I bought a tan suede jacket for £450 in London on the Kings Road. My grandmother gave me a most luxurious fur coat which she had in the 1960s and that is the most expensive thing I have.
WHY HAVE YOU LEFT THE ARMY TO WORK FOR MAGEE?I never saw the Army as a long-term career. I need to be pushed, to have challenges, and working for Magee is such a challenge.
WERE YOU ALWAYS INTERESTED IN FASHION?I love clothes and I am interested in fashion, having lived in London. I was a real tomboy, happiest in a shirt and tracksuit bottoms, but London completely converted me. I like the fact that anything goes.
HOW WILL YOU CHANGE MAGEE?I have been working on the autumn-winter collection with our designers, but what I am excited about is next spring and summer – we will have a safari and nautical theme, much more relaxed and casual.
DO YOU WEAR SUITS?Yes, I have a plain black suit and a pink and purple pinstripe from Magee. I'd wear suits in the Dundrum shop or to important meetings. We will be launching a business collection in September with dresses, macs, shirts, cami tops and next year personal tailoring. I want to create more of a lifestyle look, making it really personable.