Name: Domino Whisker

Age: 21

Profession: Sales assistant in Tower Records

From: Dublin city

Wearing: Cardigan, $5, thrift store in Brooklyn, New York. Top, €12 and belt, €20, both Urban Outfitters. Jeans, $50, Urban Outfitters in New York. Head-scarf, €1, Wild Child. Glasses, JR Manuel opticians -- have them so long I can't remember how much. Bracelets, bought in different markets. Shoes, $150, Trash and Vaudeville.

What is your favourite shop?

Trash and Vaudeville on St Mark's Place in New York.

What was your best bargain buy?

A houndstooth pencil skirt for £5 in Portobello Market in London.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

These shoes.

Who do you think are the best and worst-dressed celebrity or style icon?

The best is Carmen Miranda and the worst is Kerry Katona.

Approximately how much would you spend on clothes every month?

At the moment, about €50.

What or who influences your style?

Anyone from Lucille Ball to Debbie Harry to Siouxsie Sioux.

What was the last fashion item you bought?

An oversized, three-quarter-length, blazer-style coat in black wool with long, narrow lapels that drape into a frill at the front for €120 in Topshop.

What was your worst fashion mistake?

Leopard-print tights.

Name one thing you love and one thing you hate in fashion.

I love ponchos and I hate jeggings and also leather leggings like the ones Lady Gaga wears; they make me feel ill inside.

Name: Amber Rowan

Age: 17

Profession: Model and student

From: Clontarf, Dublin

Wearing: Dress, €55, and boots, €200, both Topshop.

What is your favourite shop?

Topshop.

What was your best bargain buy?

A short, tight, black silk dress with cap sleeves and a V-neck reduced from €70 to €35 in Topshop.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

A plain cream coat with an oversized collar by DKNY for £600 in Harrods years ago that I still wear.

Who do you think are the best and worst- dressed celebrities?

The best is Sienna Miller and the worst is Helena Bonham Carter.

What is your favourite label or designer?

Dolce & Gabbana.

Approximately how much would you spend on clothes every month?

Between €200 and €300.

What or who influences your style?

Celebs, Vogue as well as browsing on the internet.

What was the last fashion item you bought?

A dark-navy, knitted, baggy jacket with fringing from Topshop.

What was your worst fashion mistake?

Black trousers with a polo-neck, sneakers and a beret when I was younger; I thought I was doing the Parisian chic look but I looked ridiculous.

Name one thing you love and one thing you hate in fashion.

I love leather jackets and I hate ponchos.

Name: Laura Gilsenan

Age: 20

Profession: Fashion student

From: Dundalk

Wearing: Coat, €70, Warehouse. Green jacket and hat, €5 each, both Dublin flea market. Top, €10, and bag, €30, both Topshop. Skirt, was my Mum's. Boots, €5, Bernard Shaw car-boot sale.

What is your favourite shop?

The Dublin flea market in New Market Square in Dublin 8.

What was your best bargain buy?

A pair of red, corduroy dungarees with a transfer bear on the front for £12 from Rokit in London that I cut into a playsuit.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

A black, double-breasted, belted winter coat with a big collar for €100 from Topshop that got stolen.

Who do you think are the best and worst- dressed celebrities?

The best is Alexa Chung and the worst is Britney Spears.

What is your favourite label or designer?

Luella.

Approximately how much would you spend on clothes every month?

About €15.

What or who influences your style?

My friends, my budget, style.com, i-D and Dazed & Confused.

What was the last fashion item you bought?

A red-and-white polka dot leotard from Beyond Retro in Soho in London.

What was your worst fashion mistake?

Denim hotpants; they were good in New York in the heat but they're not good in Ireland.

Name one thing you love and one thing you hate in fashion.

I love ankle boots and I hate VPL.

Name: Sanne Berntsen

Age: 23

Profession: Drama student

From: Norway, living in Dublin

Wearing: Jacket, €20, Penneys. Cardigan by Nicole Farhi, my Mum's. Scarf, €5, second-hand shop in Barcelona. T-shirt, €28, American Apparel. Bag, €25, H&M. Jeans, €60, Topshop. Socks, knit by my granny. Converse, €60, Office.

What is your favourite shop?

A chainstore called Urban in Norway, it's like a cross between American Apparel and Topshop.

What was your best bargain buy?

I guess the best is a red floral, knitted scarf for €5 from a second-hand shop.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

A white, loose chiffon, sleeveless dress with a grey print by Diesel for €200 in BT2.

Who do you think are the best and worst-dressed celebrities?

The best is Kate Bosworth and the worst are Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

What is your favourite label or designer?

Chanel.

How much would you spend on clothes every month?

About €100.

What or who influences your style?

My mood, magazines like Vogue and Elle, muted tones, second-hand shops.

What was the last fashion item you bought?

A skintight, black-lycra jersey minidress from American Apparel.

What was your worst fashion mistake?

A pair of bright pink, skintight trousers by Miss Sixty.

Name one thing you love and one thing you hate in fashion.

I love plain jeans and a white T-shirt and I hate neon colours and wedges.

Irish Independent