A colourful career
I’ve always been interested in fashion For 18 years, I was modelling and doing style events. I’m a teacher and for a while I ran a modelling agency. Like other people, I fell into this rut of wearing black and felt I’d lost my sense of style. I took a break from teaching and trained as a personal stylist and became fascinated by the science of colour. I attended style academies in Milan, New York and France then did a course at the London College of Style. I learned about the power of colour and psychology behind style. It’s amazing how putting on a certain shade can set the tone for the day. I wanted to share that knowledge with others. During lockdown, I gave a talk on mindful dressing and did a deep dive on the psychology of colour and colour therapy and discovered there’s a lot of science behind it. So that’s how my journey began. I’m still teaching but business is keeping me busy.
Colour is very personal, but there are certain shades that work for everyone. If I’ve had a bad night’s sleep, cobalt blue or bright pink gives me an instant lift. Bright colours work for me. I was recently appointed president of the Limerick branch of Network Ireland and for the ceremony, I wore royal blue – the colour of trust and loyalty. And when I returned to the classroom after the pandemic, I wore yellow because it’s happy. However, I cannot wear rusty colours or soft, muted shades – they wash me out. There are universal colours that suit most people, like teal, turquoise, charcoal grey, purple, blush pink or taupe. Red is great but you needn’t wear it head to toe – a pop of crimson via a scarf, bag or
Meg Walker meets personal stylist Fiona Doyle, whose passion for colour and the power of dressing has led to a booming business helping others improve their image … and mood.
lipstick can give you that bit of authority or assertiveness you’re looking for. Jewellery is another way to add a splash of colour.
When you know your style personality, you don’t follow trends. I ask new clients to describe their style personality, so they’re shopping through that lens. With social media, we can be bombarded with images and go down that road of comparison, buying things we see on someone else that could be totally wrong for us. The inconsistency in sizing across shops, too, can be frustrating. I try and steer people away from boxy clothes – many of us hide behind sombre shades and oversized clothing when they make us look shapeless. We need to be kinder to ourselves and embrace our bodies, and a stylist can help pick out those features you’re happy with. A detail, pattern or texture can give the illusion of what you want to achieve. Even rolling up your sleeves to show o your wrists – that’ll elongate the arms.
One of my services is an exclusive personal shopping experience. I’ll learn what the client is looking for and their shape and sizing. We can organise a day trip to Dublin or Kildare Village or stay around the mid-west … there are so many wonderful shopping destinations all over Ireland. I can even bring a selection to the client’s home or hotel. Everything is tailored to their needs.
I’m based in Limerick and we have so many amazing designers, brands and boutiques in the area. Sustainability, quality bespoke pieces and how they’re made are so
important. I love it when there’s a story behind a piece. Someone has put time and thought into making it just for you.
I travel to Kerry whenever I can. My husband’s family is from the Black Valley (in the Gap of Dunloe). I have an eight-year-old son, so we love to spend time together down there, and in Kenmare. We love to holiday in Glenbeigh with my family – I’ve been going there since I was young. Rossbeigh Beach is incredible. I love the outdoors – hiking the mountains or walking along the beaches. The Greenway in Cahersiveen is on my list this summer. I still have a lot of discovering to do and love when I’m invited to a wedding o the beaten track and get to explore a hidden part of the country.