Blogger, artist, and stylist Siobhán O'Donnell shares her style secrets with Donegal Woman.

Siobhán O’Donnell is a 26 year old stylist from Loughanure, and established A Stylish Storm at the end of January to share her love of fashion, beauty, design, and art with her readers.

A keen artist, she mainly focuses on fashion when it comes to her drawings and paintings.

After graduating from an arts degree in UCD, Siobhán then went on to complete a Fashion Styling diploma at the LA College of Creative Arts in Dublin, where she worked closely with professional photographers, makeup artists, and hair dressers to create different looks for her styling portfolio.

Siobhán also recently interned at Belfast Fashion Week, where she worked backstage for the high street catwalk show.

 

 

Here is Siobhán’s Style Study for Donegal Woman:

How would you describe your personal style?
I don’t stick to one style in particular. I like to mix it up a little when it comes to my style. I wear everything from girly florals to heavily studded leather jackets. I love clothes with a lot of detail and texture, and pieces that are a little bit different – I’m a sucker for patterns! I’m instantly drawn to anything with a pattern or unique design. My wardrobe is just an explosion of patterns!

 

Who is your style icon?
I wouldn’t say that I have just one style icon! I like anybody that has an effortlessly chic sense of style like Bella Hadid or a quirky style like Solange Knowles! I’m loving the Irish instagrammer emmazoeyroche’s style right now, I want everything in her wardrobe!

 

What is your favourite piece of clothing?
I have a patterned shirt dress I got in H&M that I love. I get so much wear out of it because it can be worn in so many different ways. I wear it out as a dress at night and I wear it opened as a shirt with a pair of jeans and top during the day. Other times, I tie it up like a crop top shirt and wear it with high waisted skirts or high waisted trousers, so it’s very versatile. Usually, I get bored of my clothes really quick but I just love the colours and pattern on this shirt.

 

What inspires you when choosing an outfit?
I get most of my inspiration from people on the street and from different eras in fashion. When choosing an outfit I always have an idea in my head of what type of look I want to create, so I take it from there!

 

How would you accessorise a look?
I LOVE to accessorise! It’s such a simple way of adding your own touch to any outfit and making it more “you”. Right now, I love layering necklaces and I can’t seem to get bored of chokers. They just add a bit of edge to any outfit. I also love accessorising with belts. They can cinch you in at the right places and can just add a bit of detail to your outfit.

 

What is your most recent fashion purchase?
My last purchase was a gold metallic skirt from Stradivarius. I fell in love with it once I seen it. I love adding a pop of metallic to my outfits.

 

Where do you usually shop for clothing?
I love most hightsreet shops but my favourite places to shop would be Zara, Stradivarius, H&M, and Penneys is like my second home! I can actually spend hours in there. I’m also loving Newlook and the Savida collection in Dunnes at the minute.

 

Do you have any favourite local fashion boutiques?
I love Sequin Cinderella boutique in Buncrana. I follow the boutique on snapchat and everything in there looks amazing! They stock some quirky pieces and clothing that have something just a little bit different to them, so I definitely plan on making a shopping trip there soon.

 

What are your wardrobe staples?
My black leather jacket would have to be one of my main wardrobe staples! It takes me from spring to winter and from day to night and it gives an effortless feel that I like.

Another wardrobe staple of mine is a good pair of jeans. There’s no better feeling that wearing a great pair of jeans with a good fit.

My last wardrobe stable would have to be that dress that makes ya want to go out dancing! Every girl needs a dress that makes them feel good!

 

Do you follow trends?
I enjoy keeping up with each fashion week and finding out what trends we can expect to see in the shops each season but I’m not one for following trends just because they are “in” at the time!

I kind of just go with what I like and sometimes trends fall into that category and sometimes they don’t. However, I’m loving a lot of the trends this season!

 

Heels or flats?
I’m a shortie so I love throwing on a pair of heels to be up there with the rest of the world! I just think heels can make you feel great but I also love runners for everyday wear. I never take my Adidas superstars off. They go with everything!

 

 

Shoes or handbags?
As much as I love some nice arm candy I would have to go with shoes. I’m a self confessed shoe addict!

What is the best piece of fashion advice you’ve ever heard?
If you love it but nobody else does… who cares? Wear it! As long as you feel good in it, nothing else matters!

 

What do you think about the fashion scene in Donegal?
I think the fashion scene is at its best in Donegal right now! All you have to do is take a look at Letterkenny or anywhere on a Saturday night to see all the glitz and glam! I think Donegal women take a lot of pride in how they look. We are a fashionable bunch of ladies!

 

What has been your best investment piece?
My leather jacket from Top Shop! I can just pop it on over anything and it works! You can never go wrong with a good leather jacket. I think with leather the more worn out it looks, the more authentic it looks.

 

What’s the wackiest item you own?
If you asked my sisters this question they would probably say my see-through jelly sandals because they laugh every time they see them, but I’m still going to be rocking them this summer!

I’d say my wackiest is probably a co-ordinate top and trousers that’s covered in graffiti writing!

 

If you could wear only one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A onesie covered in Swarovski crystals; comfort and class! All joking aside, if I had to pick an outfit to wear everyday for the rest of my life it would probably be a floral jumpsuit that I got in Zone. It just fits perfectly in the right places and it’s the comfiest thing I own!

 

 

What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas?
Ohhhh I have too many. I remember when I was younger I got a pair of trousers that had material over them making it look like you were wearing a skirt over your trousers and I thought they were the coolest thing going… when really, I looked like I couldn’t decide whether to wear trousers or a skirt, so I just threw the two of them on!

 

If money wasn’t a factor, what would you buy?
I’m having a Gucci belt and bag obsession at the moment, and I would probably buy everything from the latest Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer collection. It’s so fun and different!

I would also buy a whole set of Copic sketch pens for my drawings. They are ridiculously expensive but so worth it.

 

How do you feel when you’re in your favourite outfit?
I have a black long sleeved, knee length dress with cut out shoulders and a criss cross back that I love putting on for a special occasion or night out!

The colour and shape is flattering so it makes me feel good! I always pop on some lipstick to complete this outfit. Anyone who knows me, knows that you will rarely see me without some red lipstick on.

 

To keep up to date with Siobhán you can check out her blog , her Facebook page, and Instagram.

 

Want to share your fashion secrets in the #DWStyleStudy? Email us on news@donegalwoman.ie