In part two of our series asking well-known ladies to model local fashion, Cobh mayor Sinead Sheppard tells us about mixing her love of fashion with her interest in town affairs

BY SARAH HORGAN

WHOEVER said politics was showbiz for ugly people has obviously never met Sinead
Sheppard.

During her three-year period as councillor, the 30-year-old who owns a dance school in her hometown of Cobh has certainly proved she’s more than a pretty face.
The former pop star who shot to fame with the group Six 11 years ago was elected to serve as mayor of the town in June. Renowned for her chic fashion sense, Sinead wears the chain with the ease of a Tiffany
necklace and now it transpires Miss Sheppard has even more bling to weigh her down in the form of an engagement ring given to her by fiancé Eamon who she will wed in September.
Despite her punishing schedule of wedding preparations Sinead took time out to participate in a fashion shoot for WOW!, showcasing styles sourced from Cobh against the backdrop of this beautiful town.
“I can genuinely say my style while in Six was certainly not my own. Being in the band helped me appreciate the freedom I have to express myself through fashion. When you’re in a pop band,  you have to conform to the record company’s mould. You’re part of a line-up so it’s important that you don’t wear anything that will deflect attention from other members of the group.
“Singing with the group gave me the opportunity to travel all over the world and experience different
fashions from across the globe. This stood to me  immensely as it made me more open to different styles. Nonetheless, I still believe Cobh women are up there with the most stylish ladies in Cork.
“The boutiques in Cobh are   beautiful and certainly worth a trip to the town. As mayor I have a lot of occasions that require formal dress and love to look my best at all times. A lot of people are taken aback when I tell them I am mayor of Cobh. People have these preconceptions of a man in a three-piece suit so it’s amusing to see their reactions when I don’t live up to their expectations.
“Shoes are something I struggle with a lot as I’m a size 3 and a lot of shops don’t cater for that size. I do find the odd pair in Cobh, it just means I have to spend a little more time browsing.
“All the shops in Cobh which I borrowed from today had such beautiful stock. I love to support Cobh boutiques as much as I can since they have so much to offer. ”

See the full interview in tonight’s WOW!, free with the Evening Echo