Jenni Falconer has gone from making her TV debut on Blind Date to being a popular GMTV presenter, appearing in FHM and becoming a regular on the red carpet circuit. We caught up with her to chat about handbags, dresses and stalking Vivienne Westwood.
You've been quoted as saying you are obsessed with shoes and handbags. Is this true?
Shoes especially. I love handbags too but unfortunately my handbag obsession is hard to please. Handbags aren't as cheap as shoes most of the time. Although you can get some really good ones from the high street. Jaeger do some great ones, Karen Millen, Reiss do great ones which are a little bit better quality than the Topshop type ones but they are a bit cheaper than your Prada, Gucci and Chloe bags.
If I had my way I'd buy them everyday of the week. I love anything that is a handbag really. But shoes are my real downfall.
Describe your dream pair of shoes.
They vary. I like, on the high end spectrum of things I like Gucci and Mui Mui and Louboutin's and all those designer type shoes but then Office and Faith and Reiss I buy a lot of shoes from there too. Faith do some brilliant copies at the minute. They are very clever and even put red soles on some of them to make them look like Louboutins. It's is really great if you want to make your shoes look more expensive. All you can even paint them yourself.
What is your favoruite item in your wardrobe at the minute?
I'm pretty obssesed by dresses on the whole and I've just bought a really amazing dress from Jaeger and I really like it. I've not had a chance to wear it yet but it's silk and cream and has pastel coloured flowers on it. I love it! My mum always shops in Jaeger so for years I wouldn't go in there but when I went finally I realised they have some really lovely pieces. But it's still always a bit disheartening when you come out of a changing room and your mum comes out of another one. You're never meant to wear the same as your mum.
Do you have any fashion tips for this season?
I always wear stuff that I feel comfortable in. It's just not worth following fashion just for the sake of it. Everywhere has got those amazing gladiator high heels and they always look amazing but I can't wear them. Because they've got buckles around the ankles they always make me calves look short and dumpy.If you just follow the fashion it might not always fit you so it's best to just wear what's comfortable for you. Dresses are my favourite so there are a lot of one shoulder dresses out there at the minute so I like to wear them.
Is there anything in your wardrobe that you have never worn?
I have lots of stuff I've never worn- but I always plan to wear. Like I told you I wore that Jaeger dress- I've not wore it yet but I will wear it.
Do you ever donate to charity shops? And do you shop in them?
A lot of my clothes go to charity shops however I don't shop there a lot. Only because a lot of the stuff I wear on TV I have had given to me by high street stores so I'm required to wear them to promote the stores. Also I'm a bit rubbish at finding the good things in charity shops. Some people are really good at it. Like Mary Portas- she's brilliant at it- I need to go shopping with her.
Also the charity shops I've been in are full of Primark stuff and Primark is cheap enough anyway. I need to go to these ones that have like Vivienne Westwood things in.You need to go to where Madonna lives because apparently she donates a lot of her stuff and so does Vivienne Westwood so I need to find out where they live and find their local charity shops- but perhaps that's bordering on stalking!
Who's style do you admire?
There are loads of people really. Cheryl Cole does it really well. I'm usually at the lottery on a Saturday when XFactor is on so me and my friend sit and wait to see what she comes out in. When it comes to Hollywood- Cameron Diaz and Diane Kruger always look amazing. But it's easy for them, they have a team of stylists and they are friends with all the designers and are lent clothes for wherever they go so no wonder they always look immaculate.
You have been working with Disaronno on the parasol they have had made by Antoni and Alison...what's this all about?
It's a really beautiful parasol. It's quite chic and goes with everything. If we are going to have a hot summer it is essential that you cover up and this is a great way to do it. Red raw skin and flaking is not a good look. So a parasol is a great way to keep cool and look good.
Jenni Falconer is fronting the Disaronno Boutique Parasol campaign. Visit www.disaronno.co.uk/parasolboutique to purchase the limited edition piece designed by Antoni & Alison for just £45.
Tagged in Jenni Falconer