Fashion Industry Professionals

LIL'C COUTURE by CLAIRE O'CONNOR

Exert from www.galwayfashionweek.com

'Lil'c couture(pronounced lil see)

Claire is a graduate of The Grafton Academy in Dublin, Draped in a gown
of experience with Jen Kelly, Marc O'Neill, M.A. International and
Pauric Sweeney and accessorised by the accolade of young designer of
the year Taispeantas and Irish Heart Foundation.News and photographic
evidence of her creations have weaved their way through the written
media including Air France inflight magazine, Le Figaro, Irish Times,
Sunday Independant, Irish Tatler and Image.Claire has also spent time
spent in buying and merchandising.'

Claire O'Connor Interview - 11th July '08

Q1. When did you decide that you wanted to be a designer, and how did you start?
A:Well it all started upon an evening when my mum wouldn't let me go
to a teenage disco.As a compromise she showed me how to make a pair of
trousers,which I still have and the rest is history.

Q2. What inspired your current collection?
A:The brand is called Lil'c couture(pronounced lil see),as it is very
much inspired by hip-hop culture but also by Parisian Couture houses
to give it that glamorous edge.

Q3. What is your best designer moment/ achievement to date?
A:It would have to be the development of Lil'c couture(Especially the
name, logo etc), and also the reaction I have been getting to the
whole concept and the collection itself.

Q4. What has been the greatest challenge so far?
A:I think the greatest challenge for any designer is simply trying to
get yourself out there to make a name and build up a reputation.

Q6. Describe your style..
A:When it comes to designing the collection the style very much
reflects my own personal style and personality.The look is very
feminine and classy with an urban feel to it that brings a certain
edgy look to the brand.

Q7. What do you see as the main goal for Lil ‘C Couture?
A:The main goal of Lil'c couture is firstly to establish the brand but
also to bring a new look to the stereotype street/urban wear.Hence it
is made with lots of TLC(true love for couture) for those who dream of
being chic by day as well as by night

Q8. What is your favorite item of clothing/ accessory in your wardrobe?
A:It would have to be any one of my Lil'c couture hand embellished
baseball caps,As well as being functional they bring a certain element
of glamour to everyday wear as well as doubling up as super
accessories for a night out.

Q9. What is your greatest style tip?
A:Looking good doesn't cost the earth,if it did we would be in
trouble.All it takes is effort and thought.I think it is really
important to be yourself(nobody else is better qualified).I am a firm
believer in the fact that 'the person makes the clothes'.
That said I do recommend if you have the patience, to shop at the very
end of the sales.If you can hold out and are quick off the mark Harvey
Nichols is the place to be when they have 90% off certain stock.I
personally always pick up some gems.

Q10. Who do you think is the best and worst dressed celebrity and why?
A:To be honest I respect all celebrities and their dress sense.Lets
face it we have all had fashion disasters which thankfully were never
published.
I would love to dress Amy Winehouse though to get her off the 'worst
dressed' list once and for all.

I would like to thank Claire for taking time out of her hectic schedule to complete this interview, I hope to interview her again at a later stage to see how her fantastic label is progressing! To view some of the Lil'C Couture collection go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs7FZKUUf84 and http://www.fashionstylist.ie/photo_player_flash2.html

Claire's website is currently under construction but can be viewed at http://www.lilccouture.com/ soon. The collection is available exclusively at http://www.catwalkgenius.com/