Meet the Irish fashion PR maven with a die-hard love for vintage

PR Manager for Arnotts Anne Nuding has plenty of access to world-class fashion, so it’s no surprise that her personal style never misses the mark. 

Should you happen to see Anne Nuding walk down the street, you’re probably going to look down and curse your own outfit for not being cool enough.

That is because her inimitable personal style screams originality: be it in one of her many 1970s flower-child gowns or a retro power suit with shoulder pads.

Evidently, the 29-year-old Dubliner, with her fairytale-worthy locks, makes it her business to source her wares in vintage and second-hand stores across the world, as well as trusty charity shops.

Here, the PR Manager for Arnotts lets readers in on some of her inspirations, regrettable purchases – and how she ensures she doesn’t look like a ‘fashion clone’.

What makes you excited about getting dressed in the morning?

I don’t like picking my outfit the night before, so my favourite thing is trying on a few different combos. I love to play with bright colours and patterns and I get such a buzz in the moment where I can say, ‘Yes, this is a great outfit.’ I really trust my instinct and once my girlfriend approves, I know I’m onto a winner.

What’s your failsafe, go-to look for a day when you’re lacking inspiration?

I stock up on jumpsuits for this very reason as they’re so handy. My favourite one at the moment is from Monki: it’s pale blue with red love hearts, and I call it my adult babygro — it sounds weird but it just works.

Last piece you bought?

A pair of JW Anderson X Converse trainers.

First piece you saved all your pocket money for?

I bought a Mulberry Alexa bag back in 2009 and literally saved every penny for it. I immediately went off it the minute it became mine, which is such a shame as it has put me off big investment pieces ever since. I never got rid of it though as I’m hoping one day I’ll come back to it.

Where do you usually shop?

I absolutely hate having the same clothes as other people. While I believe that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I’d rather not have the compliment and be able to retain my own style rather than feel like a clone of someone else. I definitely still frequent the reliables like ASOS and Zara, but due to my fear of blending in, my favourite places to shop are those where I know I’ll get one-offs. Vintage and second-hand shops are my favourite and I also love discovering small independent stores. In my early 20s I would save for months, book a cheap Ryanair flight (and even cheaper accommodation) and literally spend all my money in vintage shops and markets throughout Europe.

If you have something big coming up, where do you look for a killer outfit?

I look in so many different places and start planning far out when I know I have something important coming up. I start online and then do lots of window shopping until I find the perfect piece. Arnotts have such a great selection so I always find something there and then I like to make it my own with a one-off vintage addition or something really striking from the high street. Uterque is a great place to go to for dressy clothes and I also love the Sotogrande market in Spain. My girlfriend’s mum lives out there and she has impeccable style, so I love going to the market together and getting her advice on pieces for special occasions. (Check her out on Instagram too, she’s @Sandrawilson3614!)

What do you do with your fashion purchases when you no longer need them?

I think a little bit of everything: donating, selling, gifting… I am a big hoarder, but I think (hope) that I’m getting a little better. I have sold my clothes at lots of different markets around Dublin and on Depop and I always try to give my sister and brother’s girlfriend a root before I get rid of stuff.

Last outfit you’d wear on earth?

The dream would be a long sleeved, full-body, pink, sequin catsuit with some kind of tasselled jacket over it.

Best ever bargain purchase?

I got a beautiful tweed jacket in a charity shop about 10 years ago. It’s slightly oversized with shoulder pads, but it looks really modern and I still wear it to this day; a timeless classic. I think I spent about €8 on it.

Favourite fashion memory?

The first time I ever went to Copenhagen, which is my favourite European city for fashion. Everyone over there is so effortlessly chic and there are so many amazing stores. I loved just walking around and imagining myself living there.

Which designer would you wear all the time if you won the Lotto?

Molly Godard, Simone Rocha or Cecile Bahnsen – seeing as I’ve won the Lotto, I’ll go for three!

Where do you seek style inspiration?

Instagram and Pinterest are a daily habit, so I think I naturally get inspiration all the time from those outlets, but I do still consume lots of editorial. There are a few all-time style heroes who I will always look back on for inspiration and then put my own twist on [their looks]. Françoise Hardy, Jane Birkin, Kate Moss and Bianca Jagger would be some of my favourites. My brother is a fashion photographer, so he also inspires me through his own work and talking about the people he collaborates with or who he’s admiring.

Trend you’d never be caught dead in?

I can’t think of a specific trend, but as a general rule, I would never wear something that didn’t feel authentic to my personal style or suit my body shape just because it was trendy.

Trend you’d wear ‘til the cows come home?

I’ve always loved leopard print. I have a few key pieces that I still wear now that I’ve had for over 10 years.

One thing that’s been on your wishlist forever?

I have always wanted a perfectly fitted beige cashmere jumper and it’s definitely something I’ll be investing in for AW19.

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• How to nail model off duty style, with catwalk queen Kelly Horrigan…here
• Five minutes with Irish fashion entrepreneur Johanna Dooley…here
• Meet the Vancouver-based Irish fashion blogger who can’t live without her sneakers…here
• How this stylish Irish PR pro gets dressed for work and play…here
• Irish blogger Bukola Veronica’s personal style is a breath of fresh air…here