What I wear to work: Mother and daughter special

Q.You work together every year for the Cork French Film Festival. What are your roles?

Nora: I am the festival director, and it has been such a joy to work with Emily as festival stylist for press and opening launch.

Emily: As festival stylist I coordinate the style for the press launch photo shoot, which usually reflects the theme of the key film of the festival – this year being Parisienne, starring the stunning French actress Manal Issa.

Q.When was this picture taken and what are you each wearing?

Nora: This picture was taken at the official opening launch of this year’s edition. I am wearing a Red Valentino tulle skirt, and the top is an LK Bennett favourite from my wardrobe.

Emily: For the official opening I chose a dress by French designer Maje – a very classic dress with a hint of 1950’s Dior glamour.

Q.What are your day-to-day style staples for work?

Nora: My favourite colours are black and grey for every day. I like a layered look in the office – I like to feel comfortable. But for meetings, receptions, events, etc, I dress to suit the occasion.

Emily: My work staples are black dresses and midi skirts – I never wear trousers – accessorised with pretty blouses, collars and belts. I particularly love Victorian lace blouses.

Q.What’s your favourite thing in your wardrobe?

Nora: I have a few staples in my wardrobe that I am really attached to. If I were to mention one, it would have to be a black ankle-length dress by Richard Lewis. For me, it’s elegant and timeless.

Emily: My favourite item has to be my Edwardian-style vintage lace cream dress, which I wore to the opening of the French Film Festival a few years ago, and to my daughter’s Communion last year (see insert).

Q.Describe your signature style in three words.

Nora: Groomed, casual, elegant.

Emily: Simple, elegant with a hint of vintage.

Q.Tell us a little about the Cork French Film Festival and how it went this year.

Nora: This year was the 28th edition of the festival – the biggest French film festival in the British Isles.

It was hugely successful, with 13 premieres and previews featuring this year.

We were very honoured to welcome two outstanding guests this year: the great humanitarian Yann Arthus-Bertrand, with us in Cork to introduce his film HUMAN.

We also welcomed the star of Parisienne, Manal Issa, who joined us from Paris to introduce her film to a packed audience on International Women’s Day.

The audience on the night fell in love with her, and she fell in love with Cork. We appeared together on the Today Show on RTE, with Manal’s five-month-old adorable daughter, who never stopped smiling in her mum’s arms – it was such a lovely moment.

The festival was an amazing success, largely thanks to a small but very effective and talented team. Our audiences were superb, enthusiastic and discerning.

Emily: The French Film Festival is the highlight of the year. It is wonderful to see the French atmosphere throughout the city for the week, as French film is taken beyond the cinema and into more diverse locations – combining culinary and gastronomic experiences as well as live music premieres.

For me, the most spectacular event in this year’s festival was the cine concert in the School of Music, listening to the haunting live score by Raymond Scannell while watching a film from 1919. For a vintage-loving girl, what could be more authentic!