Clothes are how we express our inner selves to the outside world – but what if a non-standard body, identity or personality makes it impossible to buy clothes that really fit, flatter or flaunt a unique style?
RTE 2’s exciting new series “The Fitting Room”, presented by Paddy Smyth, is on a mission to prove fashion can be fun and accessible for everyone – celebrating difference and ripping open the seams of what makes us individual.
In each programme a trio of extraordinarily talented Irish designers and stylists (Ruedi Maguire, Zoë Carol Wong and Ciara O’Doherty) will invite members of the public into the creative hub, to help solve their clothing conundrums by creating bespoke outfits that will help how they look on the outside match how they feel on the inside.
This ground breaking series will turn what we think and know about style and identity on its head.
The Fitting Room is a 6-part series, and will air on Mondays at 9:30pm from 15th April on RTÉ2.
Episode 2
This episode’s three participants in The Fitting Room are: Adrianne Elson from Belfast, Ross Good from Dublin and Amy O’Neil from Derry.
Adrianne Elson is a transgender woman who is 6ft tall. She is a dress size 20 – 22 and describes her personal style as “lost.” Originally from England, Adrianne has been living in Northern Ireland for the past 13 years. She needs help discovering her own personal style and finds she often dresses too young for her age. A look Adrienne likes is shorts and tights together, but friends have told her this isn’t suitable. Adrianne works on the railways and has to wear a very utilitarian uniform to work, so likes to wear skirts during her time off. Adrienne wants to take part in The Fitting Room to help other people who are also transgender and are trying to blend into society.
Ross Good (40) was diagnosed with heart disease in November 2015 resulting in four stents being inserted into his heart. He left his sales job to stay at home looking after his two children Mia (6) and Ella (3). Ross went to America over the Summer and put on some weight which he still hasn’t managed to shift. His jeans are now ‘skinny’ i.e. very tight, even though they are supposed to be a regular fit! Ross hasn’t been shopping in a few years – his wife buys all his clothes for him – which he finds a little embarrassing! He describes his problem areas as, “his short body”, and the extra weight he’s gained – around 10kg. Ross is 5ft 6 inches. Ross would love a new suit for two weddings he has coming up. He wants a cool and chilled-out look that doesn’t scream “I’m a middle-aged Dad.”
Amy O’Neill (20) is a full-time student who works in a tanning salon at the weekends. She is 5ft 10 and wears size 26/28. Amy describes her personal style as ‘fun, bright and on trend.’ She loves ‘thrifted’ style which would include ‘Mom’ jeans and sweaters. Amy was bullied in school due to her size but is now more confident and happy in her own skin. However, she can’t find clothes on the high street to fit her frame and she usually does a bulk order from online retailers for her clothes. Amy wants to take part in the programme as she is confident with her personal style and wants to inspire other plus sized people.