A good section of Denise Van Outen's wardrobe is a homage to 90s fashion, with vintage designer clothes, sentimental dresses and a very special tiara. As she A approaches her 50th birthday, Denise talks to OK! about how her style has changed over the years, what her teenage daughter Betsy "steals" from her wardrobe and why she'll never airbrush her selfies.
"I think it's nice to keep certain clothes because they evoke certain memories, so I've got loads," Denise says, laughing. "I always thought, 'I'll keep these in case I have a girl.' I've got a little shift dress I bought from Vivienne Westwood that I wore on TFI Friday around 1997.
"I've kept it and I really wanted my daughter to be into it because it would fit her perfectly now, but she's like, 'It's not really my thing.' But there are some other things she takes out of my wardrobe. I've got a really old vintage Vivienne Westwood necklace from the 90s and she keeps stealing that to wear. I'm like, 'Please don't wear it to the school disco in case you lose it!""
Another of Denise's treasured pieces is a tiara she wore on The Big Breakfast, which she presented from I 1997 to 2001 alongside Johnny Vaughan. While not especially valuable in monetary terms, it's hugely important to Denise. "When I used to do The Big Breakfast I always used to wear a tiara and Johnny would call me Princess Denise of Basildon," she grins.
"I've had it since 1997. I love the fact that I've still got it." Denise's big break into television came just at the end of the so-called "heroin chic" era of fashion, which was characterised by waifish, emaciated features and started around the time of Kate Moss's Calvin Klein Obsession perfume ads in 1993. The trend subsided in 1997 as campaigns began against the glamorisation of heroin.
This story is from the May 27, 2024 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 27, 2024 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I'm trusting the process and the professionals'
Olympian Sam Quek on her Strictly challenge and why the elitz and glamour of the ballroom is a dream come true
'I was wise for my age but I had to grow up fast
Coleen Rooney on her long-distance relationship with husband Wayne, the pressures of bringing up her boys in the public eye, and her new business venture
I want to examine what it means to be human'
Nicole Kidman opens up on her latest award-winning film role and praises the director for her guidance through its controversial storyline
'It felt natural to want to share this really happy thing'
Reality star V Pattison and her husband E; Ramada invite everyone t to eri oy wr their second spectacular wedding
CHEERS TO 40 YEARS OF LONDON STYLE
The world’s style icons flocked to celebrate the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week
'There's not really anything like Dynasty any more
Actress Dame Joan Collins on the current crop of TV shows and taking to the stage for a one-off special celebrating a stellar career working with some of the greatest names in Hollywood
If Strictly doesn't go well, I won't be Pete Wicks, I'll be Pete Icks'
TV favourite Pete Wicks opens up about his Strictly experience, new autobiography, grief and friendships
SOPHIE VISITS TANZANIA
The Duchess of Edinburgh promotes gender equality and sets a target on eye health during her tour in East Africa
"We sent Save the Date cards before we were engaged!'
Love Island’s Amy Hart tells OK! about her incredible Spanish wedding to Sam Rason following two years of meticulous planning
Savoury saviours
Get ahead with simple spicy suppers from Nadiya Hussain
