Actress Ivana Milicevic and Catherine Kelly bring their friendship, fashion and a diverse line-up of guests to their podcast – we talk to them about it all …
What’s the inspiration behind the podcast?
Catherine: It started while I was at NCAD studying Fashion Communication. I’d already done fashion shows and pop-ups when my husband joked that we should do a podcast since we never stop talking … and he was right!
Ivana: The first time I heard that someone had “notions” I thought it was the most amazing saying. Subtle. To the point. It’s a whole, big up yourself, grandiose idea. It’s so absurd to an American since we have (or at least used to have) such an aspirational culture.
You cover a wide range of topics, from sexual health to weight loss, so what else have you lined up?
Ivana: We just aired an episode with Lili Simmons, the actress who stars in the series Banshee, and renowned celebrity photographer Randall Slavin. We also have Kate Walsh of Grey’s Anatomy in the pipeline, as well as Sheena Zadeh, founder of Kosas Cosmetics, and Christy Dawn Petersen of Christy Dawn Dresses, as well as criminologist Dr Ian Marder.
Catherine: What I love is that we don’t box ourselves in, we just go with the flow! We’ve covered everything from fashion and beauty to wellness and bigger cultural or personal topics. The goal is always to keep it real and have honest conversations. Guest-wise, we’ve got an amazing line-up from Ireland also, including Ashley McDonnell from Tech Powered Luxury and Laura Nolan Hogan, plus founders, actors and designers who bring fresh perspectives. That’s the fun of it, you never quite know who’s next, but you know it’ll spark something great.
“With Ivana’s Hollywood contacts, let’s just say a few more stars might be on the way too!”
Who are your fashion muses?
Ivana: I love ’60s babes. Jane Birkin and Audrey Hepburn. For a more modern look, it would be Kate Moss and Zendaya. Carine Roitfeld is a badass as well.
Catherine: I love the elegance of Carolyn Bessette – for my wedding, I even wore a very similar Vera Wang dress to hers, so I guess she’s my style icon – that effortless, pared-back chic. But I’m equally inspired by Dua Lipa with her edgy look. Closer to home, Irish women like Sinéad Burke and Simone Rocha are such strong influences; they remind me that style can be powerful, playful and deeply personal.
What trends are you welcoming this season?
Ivana: Catherine has finally convinced me to embrace funky jeans, so I now have a pair with penny-sized studs all up the front of the legs. I also got a new Cult Gaia clutch that is an image of golden boobs!
Catherine: I’m trying to be smarter with how I shop, so it’s less about chasing trends and more about adding a couple of chic pieces that work with what’s already in my wardrobe. On my wishlist is the LLJ cropped shrunken jacket as I know it’ll work with my barrell leg jeans. I also need a good tote that feel smarts and elegant, something to fit my laptop. I’m looking at a pretty brown suede tote by DeMellier that I spied on Jodie Wood‘s Instagram.
“Shopping [has become] less about big events and more about everyday wear – chic, cool, understated elegance.”
What’s your favourite Irish boutique?
Ivana: Is Brown Thomas a boutique? If not, then Havana in Donnybrook, Dublin would be next.
Catherine: It has to be Loulerie, Costume and Electra, I love them all. They each have such a great edit and they happen to stock Isabel Marant, so I might be a bit of a fan! And Seagreen for Anine Bing, also a favourite of mine.
How does street-style in Ireland compare to LA? Have you found your style has changed?
Ivana: Oh my God, yes! I really had to step it up. We’re so casual there as it’s really a beach town, so people go out of their way to make it seem like they don’t make any effort. The outfit might be so expensive, but it looks like it’s been thrown on! I really appreciate women who take it to the next level. Like my girl Catherine and Marija of Parfumarija.
Have you noticed a change in how Irish women dress, since owning your shop?
Catherine: Yes! When I opened my store in 2006, everything was extra, every outfit needed a heel and a flashy name-tag. I stocked brands like Givenchy, Pucci, See by Chloé, D&G, with people often matching the bag to the shoes, which feels so of that time. When the downturn came, I noticed that women wanted to be more practical and pared back. I actually brought Belstaff and Pretty Ballerinas into Ireland, which was a big shift. Shopping became less about big events and more about everyday wear – chic, cool, understated elegance. That move towards a quieter kind of luxury really resonated with me, and it’s still a style I love today. Irish women know how to dress!
Follow @the_notions_pod on Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channel @the_NOTIONS_pod.
