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In the closet with
Roosevelt: “A woman is like a
teabag; you don’t know how
strong she is until she’s dipped in
hot water.” It’s about a community
that helps to heal each other, and
there are three main characters;
the first one the reader meets
is a man who feels invisible to
everyone, although when he
gets home he has been thrown
a surprise birthday party – but
he has a surprise of his own.
What is your Fair City character
Nicola Prendergast like? She’s
horrible. I play the ex-wife from
hell with a son who has grown up
never hearing the word no. Every
now and then I have to fly in on
my broomstick like Elphaba from
Wicked and stir things up.
What is her style like? She’s a
businesswoman, so her clothes
are all very professional and
tailored, with severe hair and
make-up. It’s a million miles
away from how I dress.
What is the best costume you
have ever worn? I was in Pride
And Prejudice, playing Caroline
Bingley, and the costume was this
beautiful white empire-line dress
with a little train. I adored it.
That shape suits everyone.
I remember thinking that
if I ever got married this
would be what I’d like
my wedding dress
to look like.Do you own more high street
or high end? More high street,
100 per cent. I haven’t really
got anything designer, just a few
accessories and a couple of coats
by my designer friend Peter O’Brien.
Which are your favourite
high-street stores? I love Cos.
Whenever I admire something
on someone, it’s from Cos.
TK Maxx and Ted Baker
are great, too, and
you can’t beat Zara
and Primark for
fast fashion.
Do you own
anything
vintage?
My
ChanelClaudia Carroll
The Irish author keeps it light and summery in pastel
hues and 60s silhouettes Words and styling by Laura Mulley
Bestselling author Claudia, 51,
has written 14 novels, three of
which have been optioned for film
and TV. Her 15th, The Women Of
Primrose Square, is out now.
Claudia has also been a regular
on Irish soap Fair City since- She lives in Dublin.
How would you describe your
style? Comfort over style. I
gravitate towards dresses because
you don’t have to think too much
about it and when I’m at home,
writing, I’ll wear leggings and a big,
warm sweatshirt. It’s not pyjamas
but it’s only a degree above.
Which colours suit you best?
When I was younger I used to
wear a lot of dark colours, but Iris
Apfel said you should wear more
colour as you get older, which is
something I’m just discovering.
Yellow is my favourite colour and
I love blue, pink and other pastels.
I definitely suit a spring/summer
colour palette.
Which is your favourite fashion
era? I love the 60s – the short
skirts, trapeze dresses and
geometric prints. The long, floaty,
floral dresses that are in fashion
at the moment look terrible on me
- I look like I’m wearing curtains.
Who is your style icon? Carolyn
Bessette-Kennedy. She worked
at Calvin Klein and mostly wore
black, white and khaki.
Tell us about The Women Of
Primrose Square... It’s inspired by
a quote by Eleanor