The fashion insider who marches to the beat of her own drum

Roisin Haines has her fair share of fashion insights working at Brown Thomas, but refining it down to her own effortless personal style is where she shines brightest.

Thanks to her role as a Press Coordinator at Brown Thomas, Roisin Haines has unrivalled access to the world of fashion.

However, the 28-year-old’s grá for designer stems back to her childhood. After all, she made her first foray into luxury purchases at the age of seven. The native South Londoner calls Ireland home, after moving here with her parents, and was even featured in Vogue’s round-up of ‘Celtic Cool Girls‘ in 2017.

With her attention fixed on sustainability and sourcing high-end vintage pieces on her travels, her resulting wardrobe definitely inspires envy.

Here, Haines tells IMAGE about the ‘influencer’ who has always inspired her and the ultimate dancing shoes.

What makes you excited about getting dressed in the morning?

Knowing what I have on that day and how much better I’ll feel in the right outfit.

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

I’m a real dress girl – I have more dresses in my wardrobe than anything else. But when I want to mix it up or I’m in a rush to leave the house in the morning, I’ll always go for a pair of high-waisted trousers, a plain white vintage men’s tee (that I always stock up on) and trainers or chunky boots.

Last piece you bought?

A pair of red Saint Laurent strappy sandals with a little three-inch heel. They’re perfect for dancing all night in.

First piece you saved all your pocket money for?

I remember my mum bringing me to buy a pair of school shoes, but instead I fell in love with a pair of suede, knee-high Moschino boots with floral embroidery on the leg. She didn’t buy them for me but I started to save my pocket money every Friday for them until eventually, my dad matched me the rest. I think I must have only been about seven-years-old.

Where do you shop usually?

I’m lucky enough to work in my favourite store in Dublin, Brown Thomas, so I tend to spend a lot of my money there. I also love Reformation and Rèalisation Par for their little summer dresses that I think are timeless. I like to look for vintage or secondhand pieces when I’m travelling. When you find something, it really feels like you’re bringing a proper little treasure home.

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

I’ll always have my eye on something in Brown Thomas for big occasions because I can guarantee no one else will be wearing the same thing. Otherwise, I’ll borrow something old from my aunt or my mum and pair with a killer pair of heels.

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

I tend to buy investment pieces that I’ll take out time and time again – but occasionally I’ll re-home the odd piece.

Best ever bargain purchase?

My Raf Simons for Calvin Klein oversized check coat. I got it in the end-of-year sale in Brown Thomas last year and it really feels like a piece of fashion history now.

Favorite fashion memory?

Anytime my aunt took out old bags of her stuff from the attic and let me have a good root through.

Designer you’d wear all the time if you won the Lotto?

If I won the Lotto, I would collect every original Yves Saint Laurent item. I have so many pieces I’m constantly trying to track down — like the black lace-up peasant top from the Russian collection in 1976.

Where do you seek style inspiration?

Instagram, my friends, at work – and always my mum and aunt!

Trend you’d never be caught dead in?

I don’t think I could rule anything out but I don’t really tend to wear anything mass-produced or that’s not sustainably or ethically made. I used to hate leopard print, but one of the newest additions to my wardrobe is a silk leopard print blouse that I can’t stop wearing.

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

A little dress paired with unexpected shoes.

One thing that’s been on your wishlist forever?

A large, classic Chanel flap bag in very light beige.

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• Stylish singer Mairead Carlin knows how to dress both on and off stage…here
• The fashion PR with a die-hard love for vintage…here
• How to nail model off duty style, with catwalk queen Kelly Horrigan…here