Signature style: Noelle McCarthy

Noelle McCarthy's Irish eyes light up at the mention of vampires, country music and brightly coloured dresses. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

Noelle McCarthy arrived here on holiday three years ago and has had some difficulty leaving. A native of Cork City, Ireland, she is now ensconced as news and editorial director at Auckland radio station 95bFM. The job involves reading the news, organising editorial content for the station and sparring with the likes of Winston Peters on her Tuesday Wire show.

A former history tutor, she isn't sure what career trajectory led her into broadcasting but she has no intention of giving it up. She loves brightly coloured dresses, vampires and country music.

Who are your favourite fashion designers?

I love Viktor & Rolf clothes because they are so inventive and original. I loved it when Alexander McQueen was doing all that medieval stuff.

I think New Zealand fashion is great because it has that darkness, that edge to it, and I like that it's quite restrained. I went home to Ireland at Christmas and it was so loud and brash - everyone was dressing like Adrianna out of The Sopranos, and not in a good way.

My favourite designer of my grown-up life, though, is Kristine Crabb. I have loved her clothes from the first time I walked into Rip Shit and Bust on K Rd. The first thing I bought from her was an ivory, silk, reversible dress with the most amazing kick pleat. I wore it to a wedding and was mortified when people asked if I was the bride. I didn't care, though, because it makes me feel like Audrey Hepburn, but fiercer.

What do you wear to work?

Whatever I can find in the dark that maintains the pyjama vibe. 6am starts take a sartorial toll.

Today the breakfast host asked if I was wearing a curtain. Actually it was a stylish, tulip-shaped skirt from Fat 52 in Melbourne. Sometimes I am too fashion forward for breakfast radio.

What is your favourite accessory?

A green, wooden cat on a metal chain. It's homely bling, apparently. I just scored some marvellous leather belts on K Rd as well. I'm a big fan of belts. My life sometimes feels like a quest for the perfect belt, the holy girdle, if you will.

What do you wear when you're relaxing at home?

My "Tamihere 67%" T-shirt from World and a pair of grey drawstring pants that I got in Budapest about five years ago. They say "pash" on them, which has been the cause of much hilarity this side of the world.

What is your biggest fashion indulgence?

Fancy matching underwear. My mother swears by nice frilly knickers. She also told me to always judge a man by his shoes.

What is the last item of clothing you bought?

A pair of Earnest Sewn jeans from the Superette sale.

Who does the best handbags?

Bottega Veneta. My beautiful, big, white leather Deadly Ponies number suits me just fine, however. Mimco rock as well.

Name your favourite CD?

Its cyclical, but The Cure's Faith, all of The Smiths and Depeche Mode's Violator get a spin every single day. I have been listening to Jacksonville City Lights by my great love Mr Ryan Adams every moment since it found its way into my hot little hands. He is a genius and makes me cry. In a good way.

What was the last book you read?

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. A large part of my now sadly neglected master of philosophy thesis is about Dracula and the figure of the vampire in Victorian culture.

I took a short break from the work to come to New Zealand for a holiday. Three years later my supervisor has retired and I'm still here. Dracula is still my favourite novel. The Mills and Boon books by my bed are just an ironic decoration.

Who inspires you?

My dad because he works hard, loves his dog and taught me to appreciate country music and a full beard on a man. Christopher Hitchens because he is smarter than everybody else and doesn't care who knows it. Robert Smith for beautiful, mournful music and the power of red lipstick. Jane Eyre for not letting her plainness and a madwoman in the attic stop her from kicking arse. Mikey Havoc because he is so funny and smart and so good on the radio.

Any style icons?

Joan Collins and Molly Ringwald. I was paid £60 ($155) to dress up as Joan Collins for a club night once. It is still the best job I had.

Any fashion disasters you'd care to mention?

When I was 15, I was a mini-goth. I used to go round Cork City in a long, black velvet coat and Rimmel black cherry lipstick. All the young fellas in the street would follow me shouting, "Where's the funeral?"

What's your idea of relaxation?

Three DVDs for a tenner from Video Ezy, the most comfortable couch in the world and the right companion.

Best fashion bargain?

A black, lace, empire-line negligee that's my special party frock. It's even been on the red carpet at Cannes (though not on me, alas). So hot right now and only $2 from Savemart.

* Read more about what's happening in the world of food, wine, fashion and beauty in viva, part of your Herald print edition every Wednesday.