Loves

My garden I have a new garden that was designed and put in late last year and I'm tending to it lovingly at the moment. It's the first time I've had a garden and I'm so excited. I'm doing the little steps to get it what I want to be. It's quite architectural – there's an underlit concrete plinth and a vertical garden. It's a town garden so small but perfectly formed.

Shellfish I often say that if I was I allowed one food group for the rest of my life it would be shellfish. In pursuit of purest form, my partner and I went to the most renowned sushi restaurant in Paris where I had sushi of escargot, which pushed me to my limit. Lobster is probably my favourite, which isn't very recessionary.

Sonia Rykiel After two decades of working in fashion I can finally say I have a favourite designer, Sonia Rykiel. What she does is classic French with gallons of sex appeal and boldness. Her designs (left) have an element of fun and make a woman feel well-dressed and bold as brass.

Intelligent enthusiasm Enthusiasm on its own can be a little bit pointless but when you have intelligent enthusiasm, it can drive success in all walks of life. What I'm saying that you need to have a positive attitude without the unfounded optimism – your optimism needs to be tempered and as a nation we need to stop focusing on where we are but how we can get out of it.

Loathes

Ugly shoes I see the value in MBTs (right) and Uggs, I really do, but I just can't bring myself to wear them. I have plenty of flat pumps and one pair of trainers so this isn't about comfort but to do with aesthetics.

Rudeness Funnily enough, I think we're going to see less of it. A lot of the rudeness we saw in the past 10 years was born of pomposity and that can't be fuelled anymore. It's little things like saying 'thank you' or when you're walking through a door to see if anyone is behind you. Spread the love.

Beautiful girls with too much make-up I I know it's a trend that gorgeous young girls in their early 20s slather themselves in orange – but let it breathe! You haven't a wrinkle and nothing to hide. Irish women have luminous skin that people in other countries would kill for.

Trophyism Wanting things because of what they are instead of their value to you. I hope that the 'it' bag is over. It was a horrendous trend. When I started out in fashion and had no money, I remember yearning for things and not being able to afford them and feeling that I was going to die if I couldn't have them and that's what we should return to. It's about beautiful clothes that you can pass on to your children. I met a girl at the Meteors who was carrying her grandmother's handbag and it nearly made me cry. That's true style.

Sonya is running Wardrobe Workshop, a four-hour interactive private session at the Dylan Hotel, 3-5 April. Each session will cost €250 per participant. Booking is essential. More info at www.sonyalennon.com