In My StylewithEmma Young

The 24-year old from Ballygowen works in the high powered world of banking and business, supporting local entrepreneurs. In her spare time she models for ACA Models.

Tell us us a little bit about yourself Emma?

I am an Entrepreneur Lab Manager. I work for a global bank currently based at the iconic Ormeau Baths. At Ormeau Baths we currently house 62 resident businesses, with 200+ co-workers – everyone of which is a dream to work alongside and support every day! Working alongside so many entrepreneurs is a real passion of mine and I have been so fortunate to get into my role.

How we support our members in Ormeau Baths and seeing them follow their passions is so inspiring and uplifting to support with on a day to day basis. I always make sure when they come in, they feel like they are coming into a home and that they can come to any of the team with any problem.

My day could vary from running about to meetings, running events, looking after members, doing technical work for the bank.

I also model for ACA Models which is a bit different from my day job but I love the variety! I definitely wouldn’t change my jobs for the world I am in such a lucky position. When I’m not juggling my work schedule, I am still living at home with my mum, dad and brother where I have three extremely mad little Yorkshire Terriers, I’m not sure if I’m even more mad having three, but they are my little babies. I try to keep fit as much as possible - one of my best friends is a professional MMA fighter, so when I get the chance, I would train with her in her home gym doing some fitness and Brazilian Jujitsu. Although I’m far from great at it, it’s a little bit of effort!

How would you describe your personal style?

My day to day job can be a little bit hectic – with this hectic lifestyle comes a bit of a mixed style! In work I tend to keep it casual and comfy to run about on a busy day, but still smart! I would still have some fashion trainers or little ankle boots, a cute jumper (I love jumpers that have built in shirt tails as they look a little more professional) and some black jeans (Zara Hi-Rise Super Elastic Jeggings at £19.99 are my go to, and great for shapes that have slightly bigger hips like myself!). While I’m relaxing my go to is always gym clothes – you can’t get any comfier, can you? A style like this makes night out fashion so much more exciting, and a chance for me to go a little extra with my style choices!

Where do you find style inspiration?

I’m a big fan of Instagram, I suppose in 2020 so are a lot of people! I enjoy keeping up to date with influencers to see what they are wearing and what they put together. As much as I think Instagram can sometimes set unrealistic expectations in your head, sometimes it’s really useful to get style ideas whether it be for a night out or a casual day at the beach! I love watching YouTube shopping hauls also to see latest clothes from brands.

Do you read fashion magazines and if so, which ones?

To be honest I don’t really read a great deal of fashion magazines back to front. I used to read Look Magazine for years before it went online, but even now I do flick onto the website and look through the articles, I love how they include less expensive brands and do great skincare and makeup rating/comparison articles. I look on fashion magazine websites more, looking up specific articles when I’m looking for some style inspiration, or even for listings/reviews on skincare and makeup.

What is the best style advice you’ve received?

One of my good friends and Ormeau Baths member Niamh Crawford Walker who is a fashion writer, content creator and career coach told me not so long ago (which I think is the best advice I have ever heard!) to ‘make sure your style stays true to you, and what makes you feel fierce and fabulous despite it being on trend or not!’ whether that be jeans and a baggy jumper or dolled up, if that is what makes you feel your best and most confident then you will always look your best and have a glow about you.

What is your favourite fashion trend at the momenty?

It would have to be mules – I absolutely love items coming back into style again that were staple years ago...and the chance to have a snoop in my mums’ wardrobe! Something else which I’m loving is more a staple piece trend that everyone seems to be wearing, is the Zara basics double lined bodysuits (£12.99) – I have them in four different colours and they match with everything. They are super comfortable and just really suit my body shape. I am matching them with so many items at the moment.

What’s the oldest item in your wardrobe and what is so special about it?

The oldest item in my wardrobe is actually my most special also! Not a clothing item, but an accessory, I was passed down my Nana’s engagement ring. I only wear it on special occasions as I am petrified of losing it. It’s very dainty and unique and people always comment on it – makes it even more special I get to tell them where it came from.

And the most recent?

This would be a beautiful Karen Millen faux fur coat I picked up from TK Maxx as a complete bargain at just £24! I am a sucker for a faux fur coat they are so cosy and always add some statement to any plain outfit. I was so happy with my bargain find – TK Maxx is great for this!

Do you keep things in your wardrobe that you haven’t ever worn?

All the time! I am so bad at telling myself I will wear something, but in the back of my mind I need to remind myself ‘will you really though?’ I have recently done a massive clear out, which has allowed for even more un-necessary but fabulous purchases. I always make sure when I do clear out to donate to some of the great causes, we have around Northern Ireland such as the NI hospice stores, Cancer Focus or even the pretty ‘n’ pink clothing banks around the country.

What was your worst fashion mistake?

When I was slightly younger and started to go on nights out, clumpy thick wedges were the item to be wearing! I look back to pictures now wondering why I ever thought they were a good look on me! I grew up having quite slim legs and I always looked like I had blocks of wood attached to my feet wearing them! Now I’ve found my love of court shoes I don’t think I will ever be pulling out the platform wedges again thankfully!

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought, clothing-wise?

Definitely my Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag! I find it really difficult to justify spending lots of money on clothes, but accessories I can justify them more as you can pare them with more. I use that bag all the time, as much as the price scares me when I think about it, it was definitely worth it!

What is your favourite item of clothing and why?

This is definitely not an everyday choice but my favourite item of clothing in my wardrobe would have to be my final gown from Rosie’s Closet that I wore in the Miss Northern Ireland 2019 final. I went to pick it with the mindset that I wanted a dress I wouldn’t usually have a chance to wear it at another occasion, so i wanted to go all out! I chose a fabulous gold and white ballgown, this definitely has a really sentimental place in my wardrobe with lovely memories of wearing it.

What are your favourite colours for clothes and why?

Although I am always fond of black when it comes to casual clothes just as they are easy to wear, I love pastel colours for party wear – especially baby blue (to the point I should probably start to wear a different colour now!). I think I love pastels due to my complexion and hair colour. I always have fake tan on (I usually wear Bellamianta dark lotion), so I think lighter colours show that off.

What shoes do you wear most often and do you have a particular favourite pair?

I have two favourite pairs of shoes which I find myself reaching for one for going out and one for casual wear. My favourite pair of shoes for dressing up Is most definitely my nude court heels (Mine are just River Island £35, and are so comfortable). I love jeans and a pair of nude courts for a night out, I think they always look so elegant! For my casual wear I recently treated myself to a pair of Chelsea boot style Doc Martens with fur inside, and I wear them all the time now! They dress up little dresses but also look quite funky with heels. Previously I wasn’t a big fan of doc martens because I wasn’t sure my style would suit them– but I just love them now and have learnt that they go with so much!

What are your fashion pet hates?

Socks and sandals always! They are not meant to be paired together. I’m ashamed to admit you will find me to be a culprit of this at home – but it will always stay behind closed doors!

Who are your style heroes?

To be completely honest I find it hard to name one style ‘hero’ so many amazing women I know are my style heroes! I am that girl on Instagram who will see someone looking incredible in an outfit and message them to see where they got it. With social media, it’s easier now to see incredible women who dress impeccably opposed to formerly having icons on the television walking on red carpets. We are so lucky now we have so many angles to get outfit inspiration from.

What fragrance do you wear?

My go to fragrance is L’Interdit by Givenchy – I just can’t change I’m obsessed with it! I used to be a big fan of Thierry Mugler – Alien also. I have always been a fan of stronger more distinctive scents.

What accessories do you normally use?

I love earrings, especially plain stud pearls! I would never really go anywhere without them in, it’s just my little item I love to have on as I think pearls stand out so much. I recently picked up a bargain when I was in New York in January, where I purchased lovely pearls set in rose gold for $12 in the Kate Spade outlet store (these are my favourite!). If I was on a night out I would always pair statement drop earrings with my outfits.

Do you think you can be fashionable without spending a lot of money?

Definitely! There are some great sites online however fast fashion is becoming such a huge problem in the world so I try as much as I can to avoid shopping on fast fashion sites. There are other ways to save money while shopping – I try to use Depop as much as I can to avoid this, as well as local shops like 21beautique who sell lots of beautiful resell items! Rachel from 21beautique does lots of dress up Instagram stories which I love to follow with all her resell items matched in outfits.

What are your favourite local shops and why?

There are so many little gems of shops we have in Northern Ireland! I have just mentioned 21beautique which I love for preloved fashion pieces. My Sisters Closet is fabulous, I think their items are so quirky and lovely quality. Another store I love is Sarah Alexandra Boutique in Newtownards! There are so many others I could mention, being in my job supporting home grown entrepreneurs daily, I try to shop local and support small businesses.