Thursday is a big day for actress and designer Michelle Keegan as her new collection for Lipsy goes on sale. The 28-year-old beauty, who wed radio and TV presenter Mark Wright in May, showcases every piece to perfection, and says she always gets a buzz when she sees people wearing the designs.
Here she shares her favourite looks, takes us inside her wardrobe, and tells us about life as Mrs Wright.
You love the sun and hot climates so how do you feel when you have to throw on the layers as the weather turns colder?
"Autumn and winter are my favourite seasons. I love wrapping up, wearing layers, dresses with boots."
So is it your favourite season to design for too?
"It is more me, I love chunky knits, cool parkas… Don't get me wrong though I do love the bright colours and boho look but this is definitely more me."
"Autumn and winter are my favourite seasons," said Michelle. "I love wrapping up, wearing layers."
Admirers of your Lipsy collections often Instagram pictures of themselves wearing your designs, do you love to see those photos?
"It never gets old. I get more excited each time. You never really know how the next collection will go so when I see people wearing it – and know that they fell in love with it like I have – it's the best feeling ever. It is such a buzz. Whenever I see someone wearing something from my collection I always have a picture with them, or talk about it, and put it on my HELLO! Online blog."
What is your favourite piece in the autumn/winter collection?
"I wore a grey polo neck dress to the spring/summer collection launch which people really liked – and now we've done a winter alternative with a twist, that's long sleeved with a higher neck in a warmer material."
Fashion is such a passion, can you see it taking over your acting career?
"Acting is my passion, it's what I love to do. But I do love fashion, so to be able to do something like this with Lipsy gives me the best of both worlds."
The actress and model added: "My life hasn't changed. I still have the same friends, go to the same places."
Do you have a massive wardrobe sort out each season?
"I do try when my wardrobe is overflowing which it always is. My wardrobe is always over the floor whereas Mark's is the exact opposite, and colour co-ordinated. But I do try to recycle clothes so if I've got a jumper from last year that I loved I don't throw it out. I think I'll wear it with something new to give it a different look."
What is the most special item in your wardrobe – we're guessing your beautiful bespoke wedding dress by Galia Lahav?
"Yes… but at the moment it's in a bag in the attic. I've got to get it dry-cleaned. I feel a bit sad when I see it as I think I'm never going to get to wear it again. Maybe on our anniversary! Mind you I don't think I'd fit in it! The wedding was a few months ago and since then I've been eating a lot more!"
Does the wedding seem ages ago now?
"Yes I look back at the day and it seems forever ago. We'd been planning for a year and nine months and it goes by so quickly in that one day. I remember when I got back from honeymoon I had the blues for a week!"
"I remember when I got back from honeymoon I had the blues for a week!" said Michelle
How does it feel to be Mrs Wright?
"It doesn't feel different but it's a really nice feeling at the same time. I feel we're a team, we're family now."
For all the attention you and Mark attract at events and on the red carpet, do you love retreating back to your home life together?
"100 per cent at the end of the day we love our home comforts. We go home, have a cup of tea, shut the blinds. I had such a normal upbringing, I worked in a shop, worked at the airport, then I was lucky to get the role in Corrie. But my life hasn't changed. I still have the same friends, go to the same places. The only thing that's different is seeing myself on TV and in magazines and newspapers."
Looking ahead can we expect more from you with Lipsy, and also acting roles?
"Yes definitely. In the next couple of weeks I'm doing a cameo for a comedy. I'm really excited about it. Then in January I am going to South Africa for a few months, to film Our Girl for the BBC, so I'm looking forward to that."
Lipsy Love Michelle Keegan is available across stores and lipsy.co.uk from 10 September.
