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11th Feb 2016

Daisy Lowe Chats Karl Lagerfeld, Pre-Loved Clothes and Dublin Fun

Daisy is currently fronting TK Maxx's #GiveUpForGood campaign.

Cathy Donohue

Approachable, warm and vivacious.

We hung out with Daisy Lowe last week as she visited Dublin to launch TK Maxx’s ‘Give Up Clothes For Good’ campaign and the girl crush is strong.

Daisy was full of chat as she talked about the campaign and why she got involved while also giving us the down-low on what it’s like to be a super successful model.

‘Give Up Clothes For Good’ has raised €1.6 million for Enable Ireland since the charity campaign was first launched in 1997.

The 27-year-old, daughter of Pearl Lowe and Gavin Rossdale spoke to us about #GiveUpForGood.

What made you get involved in the #GiveUpForGood campaign?

The idea of giving up your clothes for something really good is such a lovely sentiment, especially this year focusing on the idea of people having wonderful memories associated with their clothes.

It’s hard to part with stuff that you love but there’s something really lovely about that too.

I think it’s so cool what TK Maxx are doing, you can post photos of what you give up and include the hashtag #IGiveUpMy so that then everyone can see what they’d like to get down to TK Maxx for.

You end up putting importance on the things that you wear because that night, you had so much fun dancing or that gig you went to and the idea that someone else can invest in it. You’ve put your good vibes in that clothing and then someone else can.

I’m giving away a dress I’ve had a lot of fun dancing in, or good craic as you’d say!

Daisy Lowe TK MAXX 4
Daisy Lowe pictured with Ava McHugh (8) from Kilkenny

I’ve been involved in charity campaigns before but I feel like this one is quite different. It’s the most adult I’ve ever felt, I turned 27 and felt like that was it, and I’m an adult now.

I think it’s really important to give back, and you know, I’m a big fan of children. I met some of the kids involved in the campaign today and they’re just adorable, so cute.

Speaking of good craic, have you had a chance to sample Dublin nightlife?

I’ve been to Dublin a bunch of times. I love it over here so much. For nightlife, the Dean is great, we went for a big old dance in the Liquor Rooms before too. I haven’t been to Coppers yet but…

Everyone is so friendly and kind and joyful and everyone wants to have a good natter.

Having famous parents, did you find it difficult growing up in the public eye?

They understood and had the tools to deal with fame whereas parents who haven’t experienced fame don’t always know how to deal with it.

I think it’s really important to try and make young women feel good about themselves. It’s also important to be grateful and know that it could all end tomorrow.

As a successful fashion model, how do you deal with the competitive industry?

It’s always going to be competitive. I think I’m quite a sensitive soul. You just need to have good people around you so you don’t get a massively inflated sense of self.

I also know that I’m very lucky to be in the industry that I’m in. There are always going to be rejections left, right and centre because I’m not blond, or I’m too tall or I’m not tall enough.

Front Row & Arrivals: Day 4 - LFW SS16
Daisy pictured at the Antonio Berardi London Fashion Week show last season

It’s about not taking it to heart which is difficult because it’s so personal, being judged on the way that you look.

Growing up, I’ve realised how kind you can be to anyone, not just someone who can help you out, or how fun you can be, or how you can make someone feel is what’s actually important.

You do get it in any industry and it is the nature of social media too. It’s whether you choose to be completely fearless and not care what people think. I think that’s the treasure of getting older.

You’ve walked for Chanel, the dream. Any personal career highlights?

That was amazing. Being fitted by Karl. I was terrified but I got to wear an amazing dress and having him try on different cuffs with it. I was like “I didn’t know your voice sounded like that”, such a dork I know. That was pretty special.

I was so lucky that when I was 17 that Steven Klein asked to shoot me for Italian Vogue. I didn’t know the impact that it would have on my entire career but also how influential the publication is.

He’s such a genius and such a force and getting to be around that at such a young age is extraordinary.

As my career has gone on, I’ve reached a stage where I’ve been asked for my own creative input. It’s something that I feel incredibly honoured about as lots of models don’t get that opportunity.

Also, writing my cookbook and getting to share with the world my love of sugar, that you can be kind to your body but still have these as treats. I loved doing the creative work on it too.

Any long-term goals?

I’d love to design one day. I had a collection which I launched outside of Britain because I wanted to see how it would do and it sold out. My personal style is a mix of Parisian chic with a bit of London, messed-up, grungy twist.

I’m also obsessed with Saint Laurent and Dior so I’d love to model for them too.

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The model pictured at the British Fashion Awards 2015

Quick-fire Friday

Gucci/Prada = Oooooh, ah. Gucci this season has been amazing but every season I’m obsessed with bags and shoes from Prada.

Bags/shoes = bags, shoes, bags, SHOES.

Flats/ heels = flats.

Pre-loved/ new = I like a bit of pre-loved.

Iris Apfel/ Grace Coddington = they’re both such extraordinary women. I don’t know, ah. Going to go for Grace.

City/ country = a bit of both, eventually the country but the city for now

Paris/New York = I’ve got more friends in New York but Paris as a city.

Winter/summer = winter.

Cake/crisps = cake but yeah, salt and vinegar crisps too.

Gigi/Kendall = Oh, Gigi.

Saturday/Sunday = Sunday.

You can donate anything from clean clothing, shoes and accessories, ornaments, towels and linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware, books, collectables and antiques, CDs, DVDs and mobile phones with donations excepted in all TK Maxx stores.

For full details on how to take part and to locate your nearest store, visit www.tkmaxx.ie or check Facebook / and Twitter using the hashtag #IGiveUpMy.