‘Focus on your assets!’ Joan Collins advises any aspiring fashionistas

“Accentuate the positives and eliminate the negatives!"

This was the style advice which legendary actress Joan Collins had to share with SHEmazing earlier today at the unveiling of her collection at the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons.

"Focus on the good parts rather than what you don’t like,” she replied when asked what advice she would give to any budding fashionistas.

The actress was on hand to unveil her incredible collection which boasts a range of fashion and jewellery  belonging to the Dynasty actress that are a must-see for any fan of fashion or indeed film.

And certainly, Ms Collins did turn heads when she arrived in Newbridge earlier.

She was wearing an outfit which she designed herself and had previously debuted at Buckingham Palace when she received her DBE (meaning she's a legitimate Dame).

The white peplum hemmed dress and matching capped jacket were paired with some very elegant Newbridge Silver pieces, naturally. This particular ensemble is one which Ms Collins said will be auctioned in December at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills.

Some of the pieces include personal favourites such as the couture halter dress which she wore on the red carpet of the Doctor Dolittle premiere.

Another personal favourite which the star included in the collection- a beaded Yves Saint Laurent jacket; which was her "go-to Christmas party piece for over 20 years."

Speaking about her personal style, the actress noted that she believes it does require a certain amount of disciple to maintain such ‘effortless’ glamour.

She added a healthy lifestyle would help and avoids excess sugar whenever possible- and it certainly shows as the 82-year old is quite radiant despite joking she had recently experienced something of a "cola hangover" after she had her first soft drink in almost two years. 

She noted Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren as some of her favourite designers along with Donna Karen as they design clothes “for women and not for teenage girls.”

Working alongside some of Hollywood’s most well-known faces, including Elizabeth Taylor and recently Elizabeth Hurley in the E! drama series The Royals, the screen legend said it is "incredibly difficult" for young actresses to get started now.

Meanwhile, she noted that older actresses are still feeling the pressure to be as thin as possible for certain roles:

"I have heard from some fellow female actresses that even though they weigh 8 stone, they may be told to lose even more weight."

Helen Mirren and Judi Dench were two actresses whom Ms Collins noted as rising above the film industry's body image trends and producing great work in fascinating roles. Something which she herself seemed keen to do-  in Ireland no less.

While she has not worked in Ireland before, she did reveal that it is her intention to work on a project based here in the future. 

"A modern Thelma and Louise type buddy film about two women who travel from Ireland through England and into France to find happiness," is how she describes the film. 

While no official word was given as to who would take on the role of Joan's pal in the project she did note that she's a big Meryl Streep fan- aren't we all?

CEO of Newbridge Silverware William Doyle said of the collection: “It is an honour to have the legendary Dame Joan Collins represented at the Museum of Style Icons. The collection is filled with a number of show stopping pieces and we are proud to introduce them all to our visitors.”

The Museum of Style Icons will display the Collection of Dame Joan Collins free of charge to the public until Sunday 8 November. The exclusive exhibition will give fans the chance to see the prized pieces before they go on sale at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills. You can find more information on the Newbridge Silverware website here.