In the third part of our series where we ask a well-known face to model local boutique clothes, SARAH HORGAN chats with Ballincollig professional make-up artist, shopaholic and fashionista  Andrea Murphy

“CLOTHES are my armour. With the right outfit I feel like I can do anything,” says Andrea Murphy from Ballincollig, the next Cork town on our fashion destination trail.
And what better woman to style and model the town’s couture as part of our new WOW! series than the self-proclaimed shopaholic herself. Luckily, the outfits were right up Andrea’s street… literally!
The 36-year-old, who specialises in airbrush make-up, is no stranger to fashion. Nonetheless, when it comes to style, one is always learning and Andrea admits she discovered a lot from investigating various boutiques in the fashion hub of Ballincollig.“For some reason I previously associated local boutiques with older women, which I must admit was a huge mistake on my part.
Ballincollig boutiques cater for everyone, young and old, and their pieces exude a timeless quality which transcends generations. Supporting local business is very important. Not only that, some of the stores here are real hidden gems.”
“While growing up I struggled to find suitable clothing and always had to travel to the city in order to locate decent outfits. Ladies’ style around here has definitely evolved over the years and the boutiques certainly reflect this. Ballincollig women are very elegant and the potential for a fashion faux pas sighting is rare. In saying that, I did demonstrate poor judgement on more than one occasion as a teenager.
“I remember once begging my Mum to borrow her ill-fitting blazer which even at that stage had gone out of fashion. It was over-sized with those exaggerated shoulder pads, which
resulted in me receiving some questionable looks from those queuing to gain entry into that particular club.
“That said, nobody gets it right initially and my friends made their fair share of mistakes too. If a polo-neck maxi with matching burgundy hair isn’t classed as one of the seven deadly fashion sins, then maybe it should be! I also wore cream a lot, which made me appear really washed out.”
“My inspiration can come from anywhere from fashion shows to vintage shoots which I’ve worked on in the past.”
Andrea’s partner, who is originally from Shanagarry, moved to the area and in recent years has been very supportive of her career. However, he still fails to comprehend the perceived obsession women have with make-up.
“He says he prefers me without make-up which I’m not really sure I believe,” she laughs “but at the same time it’s really flattering. A lot of the time I feel my position leaves me open to judgement so I am always vigilant about applying it correctly. In a way, I probably pay more attention to my make-up than I would my clothes. I never dictate how a person should dress as my qualifications lie in make-up artistry. Despite this, I love to have fun with different looks and enjoy experimenting.
I adore the new autumn and winter lines from Lily and Clara and Blue Fig, two local boutiques which featured in this shoot.
“All the clothes I’m modelling today are wardrobe staples, which are important in these recessionary times. Boutiques care about quality, rather than
quantity, which is refreshing. It means you always leave with something you like that easily slots into your wardrobe.”
“I also find they offer their customers a lot of time and are very conscientious when it comes to their regular customers. Most shop assistants know me by name, which is a stark contrast to Cork city where you’re just another face in the crowd.

See the full interview in tonight’s WOW!