Radio host, model, and former Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher on dressing for the colours of the season and the activewear wardrobe that empowers her

I love being active, whether it’s hiking, sea swimming, rollerblading,or going to the gym. I would say that my lifestyle changed a lot during the pandemic. I find the glamorous lifestyle of pre-Covid – which I was accustomed to during my time as the Rose of Tralee – has become less important to me, and I prefer focusing on life’s simple things now.

I love the mix that my working life brings: in any given week you’ll find me presenting on Beat 102 103, working for a digital marketing agency called Double L Media, or working with the modelling agency Andrea Roche. It’s always a thrill knowing that there's something new coming down the tracks.

I have always been creative and arty growing up. I struggled with academics a lot while in school – it didn't come naturally to me. I deferred my college course to focus on the Rose of Tralee in 2018, and I went back to study digital marketing at 23 – which was, for me, an example of going with my gut feeling and knowing the timing was right. All of my friends went straight to college from school, and I felt that pressure, but things came full circle for me – just at a different time.

The distinction between my work and life wardrobe can often be blurred: I’ve gone on air in my hiking boots after coming straight down from the mountains. But there are days when, if I’m feeling a bit down in myself, I’ll piece together a colourful outfit and put on some makeup before heading to the studio – it’s an instant pick-me-up.

Rollerblading is such an expressive activity that wearing colour is almost essential. I like to wear a lot of neon and bold colours – it’s nice to be in a space where you can really push your own boundaries in a non-judgemental zone.

As a presenter, one thing I'm learning is how important it is to allow my personality to radiate on air. I don’t feel like I have to look, act, or be a certain way.

I'm mixed race, so I've always had darker skin than most people I met. Growing up in Kilkenny, there weren't many people who looked like me.

I used to Irish dance when I was younger, and my first ever solo dance outfit was a canary yellow dress with a billowing tutu. I still attribute that dress as the moment I fell in love with wearing colour. I actually brought those subconscious colour choices with me to the Kildare Village shoot – I wore a beautiful bright dress that was similar in style to my first Irish dancing dress. And during my time as the Rose of Tralee, canary yellow was one of my colours of choice: I wore a canary yellow dress for a ball and another for the races – which I still rewear today. The colour suits my skin tone, it makes me feel confident, and really boosts my mood.

I like to be adventurous, fun, and bold with my occasionwear wardrobe. I always get compliments when I wear colour, and whenever I spot someone out and about embracing dopamine dressing I will always make a point of stopping them to pay them a compliment.

I dress for the colours of the season: as we head into the summer months, I’ve found myself digging out my summer dopamine finds – I can’t wait to wear my beautiful lime green jumpsuit from River Island again.

My activewear wardrobe is almost exclusively colour. I have a bright yellow Columbia raincoat which is my bag everyday irrespective of the weather – and my rain cover for my rucksack is also bright yellow. When I’m sea swimming, I love to wear bright, patterned swimsuits, and my dry robe is a neon disco purple colour that changes colour in the light.

The boutique that best fits my style in Kildare Village is Kurt Geiger. Shoes are my weak spot and I like to invest in a good pair of boots every year, and Kurt Geiger always fits the bill. My favourite pair are a cream, chunky platform boot that are perfect for transitioning from season to season: I wear them for festivals during the summer and with tights and a dress in the winter. For activewear, you’ll always find me in the Nike outlet browsing its Metcon trainers range – I recently got them at such a good price that I ended up buying two pairs.

I also love the Guess range in Kildare Village. I bought a gorgeous hot pink Guess handbag with a black strap and it's become one of my essential colour pieces – it adds pizzazz to any neutral outfit.

On my summer itinerary this year are festivals, a potential trip to Zambia to visit some of my family, and some staycations in our micro camper van, which my partner and I are renovating. Our first staycation will probably be along the coast of Waterford – it will be myself, my partner, and our dog Winne. We hope to use it for Body and Soul and All Together Now too – which we’re lucky to have on our doorstep.

I’m trying to be more mindful of my fashion consumption, so I’m focusing this year on finding ways to build a summer wardrobe that can transition into a festival wardrobe, by adding pieces like sparkly or colourful tights, or a funky jacket. I’m also swapping my Doc Martens this year for my hiking boots at festivals – I’m taking it as a sign that I’m getting old.

Being on the cusp of summer has a big influence on the requested songs from listeners of Beat 102 103. People love throwback songs from summer's gone, or they want to hear the new fresh music of the season. One of my favourite songs at the moment is called Giving Me from the Irish-Jamaican artist Jazzy. It’s just the perfect mix of chilling out in the back garden during the summer, or getting ready for a night out when the sun is shining. There’s so many brilliant Irish artists on the scene at the moment – it’s great to be able to support them on air.

I don't have a music genre box that you can put me in. I sing in a two-piece band and we perform everything from Britney Spears to Fleetwood Mac.

My favourite piece from the shoot was the orange maxi dress from Claudie Pierlot. It’s a dress you would catch me in if I was going to dinner or on my holidays – I wanted to feel really confident on the day so that’s why I picked that bright, punchy colour. The pink jacket from American Vintage and my green shoes were the ultimate dopamine outfit.

Kirsten Mate Maher discovered the thrill of the new at Kildare Village, which is home to more than 100 boutiques of the world’s most exciting designers. Discover luxury shopping, exquisite eateries, and five star guest services including hands-free shopping, virtual shopping, and reserved parking.

Now is the perfect time to embrace colour at Kildare Village. With the Perfect Palette experience at Kildare Village you can enjoy a 45 minute consultation with a Kildare Village Style Expert, and discover the colours you should wear to take your style to the next level. Consultations are priced at €100 per person; to arrange your appointment phone 01 453 4930 or simply email PersonalShopping@KildareVillage.com

See www.thebicestercollection.com to explore the latest offers from iconic designer brands at Kildare Village and to plan your visit: fashion, food, and five star services, all less than an hour from Dublin.

Kildare Village, Nurney Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Eircode: R51 R265