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viewed and why? Predictably it was Sarah Jessica Parker. She was wearing a green dress and I remember being distracted by how good she looked…how put together she appeared.
Where did you grow up? Killiney, Co Dublin Single/married/dating? Going out with John for two years. Did you like school? I didn’t hate it. I was a bit of a goody goody, so I did what I was told, which made life easier.
What got you interested in celeb/fashion? My mum remembers how as a child, I would prefer to go to a shoe shop, rather than a sweet shop. I don’t know where that
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Interview
Karen Koster xposed
Most memorable childhood memory? Tasting a club milk for the first time. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.
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came from. My most treasured shoes were a pair of red slip-ons I vividly remember begging my mum to buy for me in Dunnes. I proudly showed them off in the sandpit the following day. Who is the best dressed female celebrity you have ever inter-
What’s your favourite going out outfit and why? My new nude heels with stacked platform soles that are strictly sitting down shoes, my Salsa Jeans from bt2’s, a white vest top, and my leather fur trimmed gillet. It’s comfy and cool and makes me feel tall! I wear so many dresses for work that I’m always in my jeans come the weekend. In your opinion, who is the most stylish Irish male celebrity you have interviewed and why?
I think Nicky Byrne dresses well. And himself and the rest of Westlife always have good hair days. I love it when a guy has a good haircut. Makes such a difference. What is your favourite piece of clothing you have? At the moment it’s my embellished Uggs from Lara, on Dublin’s Dame Lane. What are your favourite pieces of clothing you wear round the house when chilling out? Uggs, jeans, and a new look college type sweater. Who is your favourite fashion designer or label? Karen Millen. Great fit – every dress feels like a diet. Where would you shop for your clothes? I love Karen Millen, Oasis and Warehouse mainly. And bt2’s for shoes and jeans. Are you conscious of what you eat,? Yes, but I’d never deprive myself of anything. I would just eat a bit less of it. What are your favourite foods? Carbs! I love bread, pasta, rice and could gorge on them all day long. What is your most embarrassing fashion moment? Probably wearing a white puffa jacket when I presented the weather on Ireland am. I was like Mr Staypuft in Ghostbusters.
Karen Koster, presenter of TV3's Xposé, talks to fashion.ie's Kevin O'Brien
senter and researcher on Ireland am for three years, when I was asked to film a demo reel for a new show that was potentially going to be produced by tv3. I was then on high alert that something exciting was in the pipeline and I made sure the bosses knew that I was interested in being involved. Luckily I got the job on the basis of that original screentest. But then again I guess I’d been auditioning for three years when I was doing the breakfast show! Do you think Irish women are as well dressed as their European counterparts? Yes, I think we are! I actually hate when our European counterparts look like they’ve tried too hard. I think we look like we’re effortlessly stylish…even though we’ve killed ourselves to look like that! Briefly explain a working day in the life of Karen Koster? Always eat breakfast first thing, always running ten minutes late, always forgetting something. Arrive in work, head to production meeting, check mails and set up stories. Then into hair and makeup, change into my studio outfit, read through scripts, record the show, grab a bite, head into town to film an interview/fashion feature/ beauty piece. And finish up for the evening, exhale, and decide what to do that night. What annoys Karen Koster? Clampers, unprofessionalism, putting petrol in the car, too many questions in the morning,
putting on fake tan…I’m gonna be great at being a grumpy old woman. Gone the grumpy down path already. Funniest chat up line someone has said to you? 'Are you yer wan off da telly?' You are running the women's mini marathon for Irish autism action, are you training hard? Although I work out, I’m no runner. So I’ll be introducing some gentle jogging into my work out routine so that my body doesn’t go into shock after the mini marathon. Why Irish Autism Action? Because of the work they do with young children and the fact that they can deliver concrete results and really change the lives for whole families. The people behind the organisation are inspiring. Your most embarrassing moment while presenting Xpose? Probably getting a heat rash while interviewing Zac Effron and turning into a cougar in the matter of minutes. If you could have lunch with three people (dead or alive) who would you chose? Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah, and Vince Vaughan.
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What does the future hold for Karen Koster? More of the same please!
Check out the extended interview with Karen Koster at www.fashion.ie
What type of music do you like? I’m a complete poptart and wish I had cooler taste in music. But at the moment I’m loving Adele’s new album 21. That’s as cool as I get. Who is the rudest celebrity you have ever interviewed and why? Bruce Willis. He didn’t get me at all and it made the whole interview really uncomfortable. How did you get your job as presenter of tv3 Xpose? I had been working as a pre-
n Lisa Duffy and Karen Koster helping Irish Autism Action