I talk to model, founder of The Model Sanctuary, ethical T shirt company ‘She Died Of Beauty & co-founder of All Walks For Catwalks Erin O’Connor.
photo Matthew Eades click onephotographic.com
Where are you?
I’m in my kitchen warming my bottom on the AGA and typing this to you Miss Montano.
What are you up to at the moment-at this minute or generally ?
I’m enjoying being a full time fashion model again after a year and a half out. I’m also preparing to make a big splash at Feb 2012 LFW on behalf of the model sanctuary though securing the venue is the first thing.
I hope it will inspire young fashion models and design students by creating a platform for them to use their voice and canvas opinion!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child I didn’t really want a job but I did want to invent a method of putting George Michael (of Wham) into a deep sleep so’s that we could marry, drink Pina Coladas and write songs together as soon as I was a grown up. I also wanted to be a nun, an ice-cream driver, a musical conductor and a palaeontologist. I’m very happy being a model though.
Who was your style or beauty icon when you were an early teen?
My style icon as a teen was Kurt Cobain… the heavy eyeliner, the floral granny dresses and the grungy cardigans were irresistible to me — that and blissfully confusing!
What did they represent to you at the time?
He (Nirvana) represented the power of music as a communicator. Through his lyrics (that read like the most painfully beautiful poetry) he created a movement amongst misfit teens. He allowed us to celebrated the importance of individuality and the need to rebel against conformity at a much needed time. My friends and I conspired against the fluro rave kids by creating our own tribe on our own terms – I am still liberated when I listen to him sing.
Who are your favourite heroes/heroines of fiction? (film/literature/poetry/other) OR in real life?
My favourite heroine is my granny Mrs Mary O’Connor because she is an outstanding woman. So strong and dignified at 95 yrs. of age and Mother to 11 children. She has a strong work ethic and a powerful believe system which gives her faith in the core values of life, something I have come to respect and appreciate as significantly important in my own life. She has lived a modest existence all her life in order to give her children and their children a quality of life to strive towards and believe in — she makes me emotional just thinking about her.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration on the bus as a spectator, I find inspiration on set as part of being an interpreter, I find inspiration in young adults who have the rest of their lives to challenge us. Inspiration is everywhere you just have to unlock your imagination and let it roam. Meeting anyone and everyone is the greatest gift of live and it’s usually the person that feels they have the least to say that turn out to be the most profound of all.
Where do you find peace?
I find piece in sleep and when I’m running across the beach in Ballycastle Co. Antrim. I also find piece when I feel relieved of my self imposed burdens — a fleeting occurrence as I’m the master of creating them!
What creative outlet/s would you-one day-like to pursue that you haven’t already?
I would love to try my hand at photography and art direction. Part of my role is to collaborate with ideas and to evolve them into a finalised vision but it would be a great challenge to instigate more of them.
What quality do you most admire in a woman?
Instinctive sensuality for sure! A woman can be incredibly seductive using the power of her mind and body — both qualities are to be highly admired and celebrated.
What quality do you most admire in a man?
I adore men and I appreciate their direct openness and unabashed persuasiveness. I also fancy far too many of them.
In what ways has your life turned out as planned?
I have never made a real plan — planning should be made highly illegal.
Illustration by David Downton
If money were now absolutely No object, how would you live your life?
I’d be far more frugal.
In one word, what does the world need most right now?
Solidarity Below with her All Walks ladies Debra Bourne & Caryn Franklin
Who/what makes you laugh?
Slap stick humour, as in comedy that accidentally happens or allows us to believe anyway. I loath jokes, they are the most unfunny things in the whole World.
Follow Erin on twitter click @Erin_O_Connor