Styled By Niamh: Evanne Kilgallon on getting her 'Big' break with Chris O'Dowd and working with a Mad Men icon

Growing up in Sligo, actress and musical theatre aficionado Evanne Kilgallon was a small girl with big dreams - dreams that are now coming to fruition.  

In fact, Evanne is preparing to set the small screen alight with her big break as Shelly in the Chris O’Dowd-produced Sky series Small Town, Big Story.

It was apparent from an early age that feminism, fashion and a flair for the dramatics would play integral roles in gaeilgeoir Evanne’s life.

‘I grew up in Sligo and was very lucky to attend Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré which solidified my love of the Irish language and culture,’ the actress says. 

‘Growing up my life mainly revolved around Chapel Lane School of Performing Arts where I studied tap, jazz and contemporary dance as well as performing each year in the musical - which I took very seriously! 

‘I then went on to study Musical Theatre in the Institute of the Arts in Barcelona until I switched to straight acting, and that’s when I really found my flow,’ Evanne told Styled.

Evanne got her first ‘small break’ in a local production playing the iconic and precocious character of orphan Annie.

‘The first musical I did was ‘Annie’ in the Hawks Well Theatre aged 5 or 6 and I will never forget being pre-set on stage before the curtain opened and shaking with excitement. Nothing compares to that feeling for me and from that age I was hooked. 

‘I see creativity as a gift and although lots of creative activities bring me joy, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of performing, whether live on stage or on screen. To be given the opportunity to dissect and interpret a character within a different world from your own is pure magic.’

Evanne is now perched on the cusp of greatness, having been cast by Irish A-lister Chris O’Dowd in his new Sky drama series Small Town, Big Story - which she says is already one of her career highlights.

‘My career highlights would have to be writing and starring in my first play ‘AN LÁR’ which ran in the Glass Mask Theatre. And of course playing Shelly in ‘Small Town, Big Story’ because I relate so much to her character and she will always symbolise that first big break for me. 

‘It was just brilliant. Chris is a wonderful director and made everyone feel so valued. Christina [Hendricks, star of Mad Men] was so inspiring to watch and I felt very grateful to get to perform with her. I learned so much from being a part of this production.’

A dreamer with big ambitions and the talent and drive to match, Evanne Kilgallon is going places.

‘I’m definitely a dreamer. I’m constantly writing down and trying to manifest my goals. Spirituality is a big part of it for me and staying spiritually and mentally well while traversing this industry is a must. 

‘There are no limits on what I hope to achieve in the long run but I am looking forward to a long career full of interesting and fulfilling roles as well as continuing to work with kind and inspiring people. 

‘Some dream roles for me would be to play Grainne Mhaol, an iconic Irish woman whose story needs to be told. Another Irish legend I would love to play down the line is Sinead O’Connor.’

Over the years her sense of style has evolved, but she says she is never fully dressed without a smile and - of course - her trademark corset. 

'An item of clothing I would consider to be my trademark is the corset. I’m not quite sure when that love began but I’ve always seen corsets as a symbol of womanhood. 

‘Although their original use may be considered an oppressive one, I choose to wear my corsets outside of my clothes and that, to me, is freeing. I think corsets really suit my body shape and elevate any outfit. 

‘They also have a romantic link to other things that I enjoy such as burlesque, Victorian fashion, and some of my favourite designers such as Vivienne Westwood.’

She believes that straying beyond the mainstream in fashion is a form of liberation - and insists you don’t have to break the bank to do it. 

‘I have always had a real grá for anything unusual and outside of the mainstream in fashion. I started thrifting when I was about 15 and that has been a basis for most of my style evolution - buying once off second hand and vintage pieces that you won’t find on the high street. 

‘Virginia Woolf has a brilliant line in her novel Orlando “Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, they say, more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world's view of us.” I believe this to be true. 

‘There was a time when I was really into loud retro prints when I was quite young and confident. When I lived in Spain by the sea I had a more bohemian style. My style changes as I change, and it’s often my first port of call when I feel like I’m evolving into a new era of my life. “Who am I now, and what does she dress like?”’

Evanne also enjoys nothing more than getting creative with style whether she’s on-set or just busy going here, there and everywhere. 

‘I think one of the reasons I enjoy fashion so much is because it is inherently creative to spend time assembling an outfit, deciding what statement you want to make and dressing to feel a certain way. 

‘As an actor, I always see the costume as the final link in truly becoming the character. Once I’m in costume, I’m ready to go.’

STYLE NOTES

1. Small things, Big style

A quote often ascribed to fashion icon Coco Chanel is ‘Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.’ 

Considering Madame Chanel herself rarely stepped out without strings upon strings of pearls and jewels, statement handbags, and intricately adorned hats it seems she may have failed to abide by her own rules of style. 

In fact when it comes to accessorising - I believe the more simple the outfit, the more simple should be the accessories. And the more dramatic the look, the more elaborate the accompanying items. 

Take Evanne in this photoshoot. It was jewels, pearls and hair slides overload when she was donned the lace corset and skirt ensemble. But for the more simple corset and trousers, pared back earring and bracelet suffice and delight. 

2. Of corset you can

If there is one style that has stood the test of time it’s the corset. From the Elizabethan, to Tudor, to Renaissance era - form-fitting corsets have been adorning the bodices of women for centuries. From Anne Boylen, to Anne Hathaway - and even Anne Robinson - anyone can wear a corset with great aplomb. 

There are also corset dresses and belts to suit any shapes and sizes. And corsets are no longer just nighttime attire. A front zip corset over a shirt and pair of jeans can give a daytime outfit that royal court seal of style approvable.

3. The dress-skirt

If you invest in one wardrobe addition this year then I would wholehearted suggest the AmyLynn Alexa Puffball Dress.  

The Alexa dress comes in a variety of 48 different colours and styles. Everything from demure black to cherry red to polka dot print,  in both maxi and mini lengths. 

Voted best summer dress by Marie Claire and most affordable luxury summer dress by Vogue, and costing just €98 the Alexa dress is truly the dress of dreams. And the genius of the Alexa is, it's not just a dress. 

For a genius style hack the soft bodice material of the top can be tucked into the underskirt and rolled over the waistline - just how Evanne wears in the photoshoot - to create a beautiful form-fitting skirt. So you get two dream outfits in one stunning package. 

4. Say it with Stable

Stable of Ireland located in Dublin’s Westbury Mall is a decadent trove of the most beautiful pieces.

Rooted in the ethos of sustainable fashionable, timeless pieces, the Stable brand was founded by two friends Sonia and Francine who curated  exquisite Irish hand crafted clothing, scarfs, bags and home accessories.

5. Claddagh Couture

The Claddagh ring, with its distinctive design of two hands clasping a heart topped with a crown, is  deeply rooted in Irish tradition and culture. The ring originated in the early 17th century in the fishing village of Claddagh in Galway, Ireland. 

According to local lore, a young man named Richard Joyce was captured by pirates and sold as a slave where he learned the craft of goldsmithing.

Upon release he returned to Claddagh and created the first Claddagh ring as a symbol of his love and loyalty.

The Claddagh ring embodies immense Irish cultural significance as its intricate  design embodies three core values: love, loyalty, and friendship. The heart symbolises love, the hands represent friendship, and the crown atop the heart signifies loyalty. 

Contrary to popular belief, the Claddagh ring is not a symbol of bad luck if worn in a certain way or bought for oneself. Now four hundred years on the Claddagh ring has been given a 21st century couture makeover with the rings now encircled by gemstones of all colours. And there are also pendants and earrings for some timeless jewels.

STYLE CREDITS 
Photography by Evan Doherty 
Shot on location at Evan Doherty Studio 8 St George’s Street Dublin 2
Hair by Jessica Dowdall
Makeup by Sarah O’Brien