Our Interview with AISLING O' LOUGHLIN
With her quirky style, her fun personality and her consummate professionalism, we couldn’t wait to catch up with fellow Banner girl, ‘Aisling O’ Loughlin’. Hailing from Co. Clare, Aisling has worked on Clare FM, Radio 1, as a reporter with the Limerick Leader and of course spent six long years working as news anchor in the TV3 newsroom before finally joining TV3's primetime entertainment show, Xposé. It was then that Aisling found herself reporting daily on entertainment news and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Denzel Washington, Peter O'Toole, Renee Zellweger, Dolly Parton and Noel Gallagher, to name but a few. Jealous much? Read on to find out a bit more about this passionate and entertaining Clare woman.
Q: You spent a few years in print and radio before branching into television, how did this change come about and was it something you were personally aiming towards?
A: I can't say it was always a dream of mine to work on 'da telly' (my childhood ambition was to become a private investigator like Cagney and Lacey) but the skills required for print, radio and television are all intertwined so it was easy enough to make the transition to television. The same news reporting rules apply for each medium: check your facts twice, keep it simple and succinct and convey the story. The difference with television is that your appearance comes under serious scrutiny and I must admit, I still have trouble with that bit. Q: Working on Xpose has offered you the opportunity to meet many celebrities, but who has been your all-time favourite so far - and who are you simply dying to wave your microphone at?
I was mad about Rod Stewart because he was so engaging and didn't seem affected by his celebrity status. His singing caused some trouble when I was growing up in Shannon in County Clare. My mother loved him and my father couldn't stand he's voice so there was always a scramble for the volume when he came on the radio. Personally I'm with my Mum on this one. Rod is a legend and meeting him put a skip in my step that day.
As for who I would like to get my microphone near in the future - I would absolutely love to interview Bob Dylan. It would have to be a relaxed, informal affair though, anything too stuffy wouldn't suit his temperament. He's the ultimate enigma. Interviewing him would be terrifying.
Q: You've covered a lot of red carpet events, but who stands out for always getting it right in the style stakes?
I like Thandie Newton's understated style. She looks so elegant on the red carpet and I'm always struck by her fine features and delicate beauty, more so than her dresses or jewellery, which is a sure sign that she's doing something right.
Q: Is there any particular trend in fashion at the moment that really tickles your fancy?
I'm really enjoying some of the digital prints that are around at the moment - I think we were afraid of pattern for too long and playing it safe is just boring. Up and coming designers like Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou and Marios Schwab have been on the frontier with this effect and we're seeing it filter down to the High Street in shops like Topshop and Oasis. Basically these designers are using state-of-the-art software programs to create the most fantastical, kaleidoscopic designs before printing them on to material. The technique was pioneered by the Brazilian/British design duo Basso & Brooke only a few years back and it's really catching on.
Q: You've seen and tried lots of beauty treatments for Xpose, but is there any one treatment or product that you would recommend we try out?
I am a self confessed product junkie and I love finding out about the latest beauty technology. The amount of money being pumped into this area is mind boggling, quite simply because it's so lucrative. Recently I did a report on this new machine from Israel called the Applisonix. It uses ultrasound technology to painlessly destroy blond, red and grey hair. Up until now it has been very difficult to get rid of unwanted light coloured hair because of its lack of pigment. Laser works best on black hair on white skin but not so well on other shades. This new machine caused quite a stir when we put it on the show and the distributors received more than five thousand enquires after the report was aired.
I would also highly recommend IPL skin rejuvenation - it more or less makes your skin work harder to create collagen by causing it distress through laser. It sounds terrible but it works and as far as I can see there are no bad side effects. It's better than botox any day because it doesn't make you look like an alien.(Left: Aisling modelling a diamond pendant with Seamus Fahy of Voltaire Diamonds)
Q: How would you describe your personal sense of style?
I'm pretty open minded about fashion. I love experimenting. Sometimes that goes horribly wrong and sometimes it just about works but ultimately that's fashion. I certainly don't play it safe, never have. I do have a great appreciation for the work and craftsmanship that goes into making a beautiful dress or piece of clothing. I would describe my sense of style as Crazy Old Dear chic. As far as I'm concerned the older generations are the ones with the style. I'm always spotting the most wonderfully put together grannies who exude timeless chic. I like to have fun with my clothes and not to take it too seriously.
Q: Who do you admire from a design perspective, here at home and internationally?
I'm simply in love with the creations of a newly established designer called Yasmin Velloza who's just set up shop at 43 Dawson Street in Dublin's city centre. She works primarily with cashmere and silk and her designs would make you cry. I predict she's going to be around for some time to come.
I'm also wearing a dress to the IFTAs this weekend by a designer called Caroline Matthews who's based in Kerry. I love her edgy style and can't wait to step on the red carpet in her creation. Funnily enough the dress I'll be wearing is called Aisling so I think it was meant to be.
Q: What would be your all time favourite place to shop?
It's a toss up between Dublin and London. I've an awful grá for our capital city and adore just rambling around enjoying its many shops and cafés. London on the other hand is shopper's paradise but you'd need an oil sheik to finance the trip. If I had wads of dosh I'd head straight for Liberty and blow the lot (after giving a substantial donation to charity of course!).
Q: What item of make up would you absolutely not leave the house without?
I'm invisible without mascara so I wouldn't dream of leaving the house without a few coats. I'm loving Bourjois Volume Glamour in Ultra Black at the minute.
Also the Serge Louis Alvarez (SLA) photo foundation is the business for a blank canvas effect before the colouring in begins!
Q: If you could buy one thing today from your wish list - regardless of cost- what would it be?
A diamond encrusted Cartier watch!
Below: Aisling (right) with her friend and colleague Lisa Cannon.
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