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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Ellen Kirwin

Liverpool costume designer who has worked for Britney Spears, Cher and the world’s biggest pop stars

A Liverpool designer who has worked with some of the worlds biggest pop stars now has her very own shop in Merseyside.

Heather O’Reilly, from Speke, previously worked at Hollyoaks in the design department but left to focus on her own creations.

The 31-year-old was then recommended to work as a wardrobe assistant for American mega-star Taylor Swift and the A-list work carried on from there.

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The long list of musicians she has worked with includes the Spice Girls, Paul McCartney, Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue.

Speaking to the ECHO, Heather said: “Once I was in they kept contacting me for other tours and shows.

“I got invited to do Dua Lipa this year which would have been going on tour and then covid happened.

“I meet all of the stars, you just see them in the canteen and stuff it’s a bit surreal.

“It was funny when I did Justin Timberlake, I was next to him in the canteen and I didn't even realise it was him, he just seemed like a normal person.

“Everyone is really nice, Cher has been my favourite. I was never a massive fan but afterwards I thought she was amazing, she has this sort of presence.

“I couldn’t top her now but I prefer doing my own thing, and working in the shop.

“People always ask what's your next concert but I prefer doing this for customers because I get to be more creative.”

Heather is best known for her bespoke swimwear and party clothes but has gained recognition across the world for her celebrity Halloween costumes.

She was taught everything she knows by her mum and said even from a young age she had always gone ‘over the top’ for Halloween.

Her costumes are bought by people across the world, with Americans particular fans of her work.

But closer to home, passers by regularly stop at her South Liverpool shop, on Garston Old Road, to marvel at her window display.

Though Heather has been selling her designs online for years, she only opened the shop this year, a week before lockdown in March.

She said: “The Halloween window, at the minute people are driving past and reversing to look.

“It's just a really weird time to have opened it, but at the same time I’m being positive thinking if i can make it through this I’ll be around a long time.

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“I’ve worked from home for two years and I thought I just needed space, the shop was just perfect, the rails were up and everything.

“It just all felt right.”

Customers can get Heather’s designs in her shop Life of O’Reilly, or order online at jacksonsfashionliverpool.com

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