Darren Kennedy
The style entrepreneur and TV host chats to Chloe Brennan about his favourite people, places and things
The person
My late nan, Lily. What I wouldn’t do for another Friday night out with her in the bingo hall, followed by her favourite treat, fish and chips.
The memory
Our family camping holiday in Co Clare. It was a typical Irish summer, torrential rain for the week, and our camper got flooded. Six-year-old Darren thought his parents had planned it — I was in my element. It was the best adventure ever, in my eyes.
The moment of the day
Waking up and seeing my dog, Harry — each new day is like Christmas morning to him. And that first mug of coffee.
The song
The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson.
The movie
The Talented Mr Ripley.
The book
Empress Dowager Cixi by Jung Chang. It’s a fascinating look at Chinese culture and how one woman rose to become the most important woman in Chinese history. She’s credited with bringing a medieval empire into the modern age and abolishing gruesome punishments like ‘death by a thousand cuts’; she also put an end to foot-binding.
The hero RuPaul. The outfit
Right now, it’s a classic brown leather shearling aviator jacket, worn with a white T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of boots.
The accessory
I’ve had a few near ‘Should’ve gone to Specsavers’ moments, so it’s got to be my eyewear.
The gadget
My Samsung Galaxy Note9.
The pet hate
People who constantly complain but do nothing to change things.
The beauty product
My Kennedy & Co Matte Hair Clay. It’s the styling product I don’t leave home without. It gives great hold, texture and density. It’s enriched with Baicapil™ — a combination of three active botanical ingredients — which helps to reduce hair loss and stimulate growth. A win-win!
The holiday
A trip to Sri Lanka last year. What an amazing country — the people, the food, the culture, I loved it all.
The hotel
The Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills. It’s next-level.
The friend
My sister, Andrea. We’ve been through thick and thin together. We’ve laughed, cried, danced, and danced some more together… we’re always there for each other.
The piece of advice
Be curious; question everything. Progress is much more interesting than perfection.
The drink
A Tanqueray No Ten gin and tonic, with a juicy slice of fresh lime and grapefruit.
The bar
IdleWild on Dublin’s Drury Street. De Barra’s, Clonakilty, in Cork. Laurel Hardware in West Hollywood. Scarfes bar in the Rosewood hotel, London.
The hobby
Tending to my house plants. I’ve an array of cacti, fiddle-leaf figs, monstera deliciosa [Swiss Cheese plant] and succulents that I get great pleasure out of.
The part of my body
The part of my brain where my sense of humour and ability to laugh is stored.
The celebrity
Oprah. Nothing can stop that woman, and she’s never been afraid to speak up for what she believes in.
The virtue
I’m definitely a glass-half-full kinda guy. I’ve a natural tendency to see the positive in things.
The vice
Chocolate, ice cream, and any cake.
The smell
Bleu de Chanel.
The taste
My mam’s chilli con carne with home-made guacamole.
“It was a typical Irish summer, torrential rain for the week, and our camper got flooded — six-year-old Darren was in his element” “Favourite part of the body? The part of my brain where my sense of humour and ability to laugh is stored”