DEIRDRE MCQUILLANtalks to Paris-based international buyer Helen Lambert
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'RE WEARINGThe grey leather and knit jacket is by Rick Owens – it's great for travelling. The T-shirts and grey silk chiffon trousers are also Rick Owens. The silk and cashmere scarf is by Sarti – it adds softness and colour and it picks up the light. The patent peep-toes are Prada and the bag is Chanel. The gold, ebony and diamond earrings are by Taher Chemirik.
YOU'RE A RICK OWENS FAN OBVIOUSLYYes, because he is feminine with a twist and his clothes are comfortable and his fabrics luxurious. I love Sharon Wauchob for her luxurious fabrics and interesting details and the Australian designer Martin Grant for his coats, amazing jackets and utter simplicity. And Azzedine Alaïa because he transcends trends.
FAVOURITE STORES?Bergdorf Goodman in New York, L'Eclaireur in Paris, and Matches and the Dover Street Market in London.
WHAT DO YOU BUY EACH SEASON?Shoes, coats and bags and of course, a dress. I have more coats than skirts and I think if you are on a budget you can wear black trousers and a black sweater under a fabulous coat.
ADVICE FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS?You always need a very well-cut black dress and great accessories. Change the accessories and you change the outfit – you can change the whole look for evening by just changing the bag and shoes. I think a really good white shirt, for instance by Roberto Cavalli, either plain or with a bit of detail, always looks fresh.
YOU DON'T DO HIGH STREET?I do a bit and have some little shirts from Hartford, Maje, Zadig – mostly French brands.
WHAT ABOUT SHOES?Seventy per cent of my shoes are Prada, but I also buy from Alaïa, Pierre Hardy and Laurence Dacade, who does beautiful shoes in Moss in the Rue de Grenelle – she designs Chanel's shoes.
DO YOU WEAR A LOT OF COLOUR?I love colour, but personally I like mixing colours that might not seem obvious, such as grey and pink or nude with brown or navy or pearl grey.
DO YOU FOLLOW TRENDS?I am not a fashionista and I don't like buying things just because they are in season. I don't like having a bag everybody else has.
WHAT ABOUT JEWELLERY?Collectible pieces make up 90 per cent of my jewellery, so they are a real investment. These days I think it is better to buy fewer clothes and invest in a beautiful piece of jewellery that you will have for a very long time and that you can always sell. I love vintage rings and earrings – earrings bring light if you have short hair.
GROOMING?I am big into grooming. It is so important in presentations, in presenting who you are, so manicures and pedicures are important. I do my own hair, but I have it cut every month in Carita in Paris. I have a manicure every week and a pedicure every few weeks. Exercise is important, too.
HAS LIVING IN PARIS AFFECTED THE WAY YOU DRESS?French women are not well groomed. They have a good haircut and that's about it. American business women in New York are far better groomed. If you have a presentation, your hands shouldn't be dull, for example – you notice when people don't bother.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OWN STYLE?Elegant and well put together. It's an inbuilt feeling. In a city such as Paris you become more sophisticated. I've always loved beautiful things and living with beautiful things in the home and now it has become my job and lifestyle.