Antonia O’Brien, 25 // Fashion journalist and TV presenter
The We Want Your Job! section was essentially created so I could quiz inspirational lay-dees carving out exceptional careers for themselves, a) so I could make detailed notes in an attempt to steal their jobs and b) to share their professional pearls of wisdom with y’all.
I’ve always fancied adding ‘fashion journo slash teevee presenter’ atop my CV, and Antonia O’Brien is one such lady who can happily boast this.
You’ll recognise her from fashion features for top TV proggies like Daybreak and Lorraine, as well as E! Entertainment, having previously appeared on my-wardrobe.com‘s TV channel as well as writing for Grazia magazine. Show-off.
Antonia is also an ambassador for the UK’s most fashionable charity, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC), and what with the FTBC 2012 campaign kicking off today – this year’s patriotic product is ruddy gorge; have a, er, look at the Look Book here) – we’re yelling into our TV screens: Antonia O’Brien, We Want Your Joooooob!
Hiyas! When people ask you what you do for a living, what do you say?
Fashion journalist and TV presenter.
That’s mega impressive *sigh* But what did you want to be when you were little?
An actress or singer (doesn’t every little girl?).
Did you get a degree? What are your thoughts on needing a degree to succeed?
I have a degree but I don’t think anyone has ever asked! I worked hard and enjoyed my course, but in the fashion and media industry it isn’t necessarily required.
OK, so how did you land your presenting job for My Wardrobe’s TV channel?
I met My Wardrobe founder Sarah Curran in 2008 which was my first step into presenting really; we got on brilliantly and she was working on launching an online fashion TV feature on my-wardrobe.com. After a funny (and awkward) screen test I started straight away, it was a case of being at the right place at the right time.
Lucky you! When/where/how were you first spotted by Grazia mag?
I was approached to do a video blog and interview for Grazia back in summer 2010, who I had recently met through my then job at my-wardrobe.com. They wanted me to talk about my style and recent purchases, whether good, bad, or ugly. That video blog was then seen by ITV (where I have been presenting now for nearly 2 years) which is so incredibly lucky, so thank you Grazia.
Tell us about your work for charidee – how did your relationship with FTBC come about?
The Fashion Targets team work closely with my-wardrobe.com, we met three years ago and I have worked (and loved) them since. They are a fantastic and very hard working team who are always pushing forwards for the same thing, a future free from breast cancer (with a bit of good style and fashion thrown in.)
An excellent combo. So, what can we expect from FTBC 2012?
The campaign is all about Great British nostalgia so that’s days at the seaside, festival fields and of course the Golden Jubilee – just think red, white and blue.
We know how good Brits are at coming together whether it’s getting behind our sporting heroes, throwing street parties for all our neighbours or showing the “blitz” spirit and that is what this year’s campaign is all about. Standing together in unity to fight this disease.
The tag line for FTBC 2012 is “buy it, fight it, wear your support” and that’s what I’d encourage everyone to do.
What do you know now that you wish you knew in the formative years of your career?
It sounds obvious but in work environments, whether that is waitressing or as a TV runner – be professional. I used to always get in trouble for chatting and not taking things very seriously – but now I know better. Ahem.
Career highlight so far?
It has to be presenting for E! Entertainment with Fearne Cotton and Dermot O’Leary at this year’s BAFTAs. I looked around and saw I was on the same side of the rope as Brad Pitt and Colin Firth, which I couldn’t quite believe.
Well jel (as they say)! How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
I have brilliant friends who make me laugh, a lot, so I see a lot of them and I love going to the cinema and eating Mexican food.
Top fashion tips for staying stylish in this crappy wet weather?
Wear layers (vest top, long sleeve jersey, blazer/leather jacket) so when you’re drenched you can peel them off, steer clear of leather trousers (they’ll cling) and denim takes ages to dry.
Recently I’ve worn tailored shorts, tights and chunky boots for rainy days, I can stomp through puddles and the tights will dry quickly – ta-daaaa!
Cheese or chocolate?
Chocolate, always.
Vodka or wine?
Vodka.
Flats or heels?
Heels.
Song that best describes your life?
I love Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ – it doesn’t quite describe my life but it makes me happy, and isn’t that just the best feeling, when you’re driving home?
What would you like to do before you die?
I would love to have a year-long holiday with my whole family (I am one of five children, and they all live overseas).
Follow Antonia on Twitter @AntoniaOBrien or see her on the internets at antoniaobrien.com.
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2012 means you shop brands like M&S, Toppers and River Island AND do your bit for charidee – at least 30% on each product goes to Breakthrough Breast Cacer and their life-saving work. Now that’s what we call retail therapy.
See our top three picks from this year’s collection here and visit fashiontargetsbreastcancer.org.uk for more info.
Comments
wannabe
OK, so I still really wanna know how you got your first big break; how did the meeting with My wardrobe come about? how did you get onto their radar???
Ruby Roo
Great article. I love the we wnat your job section. I want all the jobs! (not at once, that would be greedy. and insane).
Lady Luck
Sounds like a dream job. I should be jealous but you also sound really nice! GRRRR! x