Deborah Symond O’Neil, Mode Sportif

“My dad has always told me to trust my gut instinct…

… in business and my personal life. My vision [for Mode Sportif] was a destination for off-duty dressing. I wanted to build a brand known for combining luxury fashion with elevated sportswear – the go-to for finding the perfect dress to style with designer sneakers, and a chic and functional workout look, all under the one roof. Having opened the doors to our first retail space in Paddington [Sydney] in July last year, we are focusing on an omni-channel growth model and have many exciting projects on the horizon. Watch this space!

My mother has incredible skin.

Naturally, I grill her on her secrets hoping they might work for me too! Her advice has always been wear SPF 30+ on your face and get monthly facials from the age of 25. I have memories of being at the beach with friends, and receiving a call from my mum checking I had my 30+ on my face. I would cringe at the time, but I know I’ll thank her one day.

I love bright, clean and fresh skin.

I keep things fairly simple when it comes to my beauty regime. I focus on cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising and get regular facials to keep my skin in check. I use Lauren Napier make up removing wipes (they’re also amazing for travel as they come in individual packets and never dry out) and The Eve Lom cleanser has changed my life. I use it twice a day to clean and hydrate my skin. Once a week, I use the GlamGlow Youthmud Mask. This usually takes place on a Sunday before bed to exfoliate and brighten my skin before the week ahead. I love Radical Skincare Age Defying Pads to gently exfoliate without drying out the skin. Finally, I apply Apot.Care Rich Texture Cream. I tend to have dry skin so tailor my products to focus on bright and hydrated skin.

I discovered Tom Ford Shimmering Body Oil in Hong Kong.

It’s ideal for highlighting your décolletage for an evening out. I also love the Tom Ford packaging. [Makeup artist] Liz Kelsh told me I needed the Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Make Up Base in my life, and I’ve never looked back. Chantecaille Liquid Illuminatorprovides this dewy glow that lasts the entire day. It’s perfect for all the high points on the face, I love to layer over a tinted moisturiser for a natural look. The marbled packaging from Hourglass is seriously beautiful. I use the translucent rectangle as a powder, and the tonal squares to contour and highlight.

I change my hair regularly. I’m talking colour changes from light brown, to black, to blonde in the space of a year…

…so I do a weekly Olaplex treatment on a Sunday. It’s critical to keep my hair health. Coming from a girl with extremely frizzy naturally dried hair, the Dyson Hairdryer and its smoothing nozzle has honestly changed my life. [I started using a] large round brush after watching some tips from YouTube and my hair stylist, I have the at-home blow dry down pat. I use Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hair Spray – it’s everything for a voluminous blow dry. I have quite flat hair, so I spray this on my roots prior to blow drying my hair. It works like a charm! For a slick pulled back look nothing beats the Evo Gangsta Grip Bonding Resin.

I definitely watch what I eat.

I need to be careful, so I always try and eat clean, whole foods. I definitely have a strict diet during the week, and try and stick to proteins, fruits and vegetables. For breakfast I love poached eggs with avocado, for lunch I will have some sushi, sashimi or a salad and for dinner I love salmon with salad. I am definitely not perfect all the time, but I try and find the best balance.

I love working out.

I definitely mix it up to keep things interesting, with a combination of boxing, pilates, hot yoga and walking. I also love trying new workouts, and when travelling nothing beats SOULCYCLE.

I have a relaxed day-to-day style…

… filled with a mix of prints and colours. I love creating a look with my outfits. I am not the type of person that has a uniform, I could be wearing a very minimal and monochrome look one day, and then a bright bold print the next. Fashion is very much about expression and I love playing around with it.”

Story by Rikki Hodge-Smith; Interview by Sigourney Cantelo; Photography by Alice Mahran