Anna Campbell is the creative director for Bogbean Designs in Cloghan, home of the now world famous Bogman Beanie. Her designs are created for those who do not subscribe to the status quo, they are 100% eco-friendly and hand picked for just the right person.
Anna is a designer, businesswoman and mother, with a love of Levis and her grandmothers’ vintage fur coat.
DW Style Study
How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe my personal style as mad. As a young woman I loved to dress to turn heads, I always wanted people to look at me and admire or be totally shocked by my style. Of course that was the thing to do back then and living in a city full of artists, writers, poets and musicians most of my mates were dressing the same, all in black, back then it was shocking for a young woman to have tattoos and piercings. Now everyone is doing it.
Now I try to be stylish depending on the occasion, mostly its comfort and warmth. I’m sure a lot of mums out there would agree, but no matter how stylish you think you are you still end up end up wearing your teenage kids clothes a lot of the time when you’re not being seen by anyone considered important in your life…. yes I am That mother who takes their kids to school wearing pyjamas yesterday’s makeup and hair sticking everywhere
Who is your style icon?
My style icon is Vivienne Westwood as a teen in the 70’s when punk was the style, fashion wasn’t as available or as inexpensive for teens as it is now, I made my own skinny jeans and added safety pins and zips to black T-shirts, and raided my dad’s closet for braces. I love everything she does.
What is your favourite piece of clothing?
My favourite piece of clothing is my grandmother’s fur coat. It’s real fur from the 1920s so it doesn’t count as murder.
What inspires you when choosing an outfit?
I am inspired by Iris Apfel at over 90 years of age she is still FABULOUS and Sonja Morgan (real housewives of New York City) who hides scuff marks on her Chanel bags with a sharpie…..
How would you accessorize a look?
I would accessorize a look with belts, silk scarves and of course great hair and makeup
What is your most recent fashion purchase?
My most recent purchase is a pair of leopard print ankle boots from River Island
Where do you usually shop for clothing?
I usually shop at …. where-ever. Mostly shopping with and for my teenage daughter at New Look, River Island, H&M. when I lived in America I loved to buy clothes from Nordstrom and a boutique called Betsy Johnson
Do you have any favourite local fashion boutiques?
My favourite local fashion boutique is Blush Boutique in Carndonagh, they have great FB and Instagram posts, I love the way they put outfits together and their style is so classy.
Bogbean Designs
What are your wardrobe staples?
My wardrobe staples are jeans, white T’s, black leggings, black cocktail dress.
Do you follow trends?
Do I follow trends..yes and no..I enjoy the fashion in magazines and runway but more on someone else rather than on myself, I get a kick out of people watching and seeing a well put together outfit on a young woman, however when I go to the city I still like to pull out all the stops and wear my most executive clothes …I find the occasional piece that I MUST HAVE ..as a teen and into my twenties I was deffo a slave to fashion. As I got older I became more discerning in my taste and also more sensible ….no longer wearing a mini skirt and heels on a snowy day!
Heels or flats?
I love love love heels, they make me feel tall and sexy, however after over 30 years of wearing heels and not only walking to work in the city but standing all day my feet have been destroyed so unfortunately now it’s flats.
Shoes or handbags?
Both of course..silly…
What is the best piece of fashion advice you’ve ever heard?
‘You can never be too thin, too rich or too blonde’ – Marilyn Monroe.
What do you think about the fashion scene in Donegal?
The fashion scene here is eclectic, depending on where you live and work and of course, and what occasion you are dressing for. ..I live on a farm so a lot of the time is spent wearing wellies, so I’m dressing from the bottom up, most of the women here in the county wear jeans and a sweatshirt or T-shirt
Women in Donegal of all ages will go all out for weddings and christenings spending a fortune from head to toe and looking absolutely FIERCE
What has been your best investment piece?
Not sure, I’m of the throwaway culture and have gotten rid of so much. Probably my grandmother’s fur coat which I will never part with.
Bogbean Designs
What’s the wackiest item you own?
A zebra print coat, I bought it during the 90’s when I was living in San Francisco, very cool at the time with my black fringed belly top, black shiny plastic trousers and black stiletto shoes (God I was groovy back in the day..lol )
Bogbean Designs
If you could wear only one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That depends on where I would be in the city or in the country…probably a pair of 501 Levis and a high end white t-shirt with heels or Converse and my grandmother’s fur coat.
What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas?
Trying to stuff my size 14 body into something that was meant for an 18 year old supermodel
If money wasn’t a factor, what would you buy?
A pair of black Louboutin stilettos, there is just something about that red sole that shouts MONEY, A Gucci handbag, Stella McCartney blouse, Eadach silk print dress by Sara O’Neill, a pair of 501 Levis ….still the best jeans in the world.
How do you feel when you’re in your favourite outfit?
I feel comfortable and able to take on the world.
Learn more about Bogbean Designs on @bogbeandesigns
Want to share your fashion secrets in the #DWStyleStudy? Email us on news@donegalwoman.ie
