"I love Laura Jackson's style, I am always asking her where her clothes are from."

"After pregnancy, having a baby in lockdown, a full year of tracksuit bottoms and zooms - I am desperate to get dressed up again and go to a party."

Acclaimed director Dee Koppang O'Leary has worked on the TV shows we all binged on during lockdown, NETFLIX's acclaimed Bridgerton and The Crown; as well as just being named lead director on BBC One's, The Split. Koppang O'Leary talks to ASCENO about having the confidence to pick up the camera, coveting Emma Corrin's style and the women who are making important changes within the film industry.

Shot by husband Dermot, at their London home

Styled by herself in ASCENO SS21

Interview by Steph Sleap

Dee wears our ANTWERP BLACK LINEN JUMPSUIT

PICK UP THE CAMERA AND SHOOT SOMETHING.

Starting out in television in 2001 I was surprised to find it was such a male dominated industry. In my experience, there weren't that many women in senior creative positions. I think I only got to work with one female director, in the early days of my career - that was it! I really loved filming and camera work - but found that quite often the camera would be given to the male runners as they were deemed more 'into tech', whereas the girls (traditionally) were given the more organisational roles. I'm sure this isn't everyone's experience - but I found that girls had to really stick up their hand and say "I can help shoot second or third camera!" and try to position themselves front and centre. Back in the day - people seemed to trust the boys with the camera kit more than girls - which is so bad! The world has very much changed now, thank goodness, and things are starting to balance out slowly. I meet with younger people who want to get into film or TV and I always say to them "believe in yourself and your capabilities and just pick up the camera and shoot something." Also it's so easy now to be creative. With just your phone you have incredible access to experimenting - and filming and editing things yourself, without the need for expensive kit.

"I only go to work with one female

director in the early days of my career

- that was it!"

I COMPLETELY FELL INTO TELEVISION.

I was very lucky to get my break into the industry. I managed to get a Runner's job in London through some Producer's I had done work experience with when I was at University. Half the battle - is getting your foot in the door. My first job was on a music show - hosted by Lauren Laverne (who I ended up living with for a couple of years!) After that stepping-stone, I ended up on a couple of other music shows, breakfast television and then very fortuitously (because I spoke several languages) ended up in a world of extreme travel documentaries as a self-shooting director. Which meant I got to spend a few incredible years climbing mountains in Africa, trekking through jungles, and camping in the Arctic. I even got to shoot an incredible documentary on humpback whales in Tonga with Minnie Driver. I was very lucky. I probably should have had the confidence to make the jump from non-scripted TV to drama earlier, but I don't regret it as I got to travel the world, going with the flow and falling into that role was a brilliant mistake which led to where I am now. I also would never have met Dermot!

Dee wears our PARIS WHITE PIPED OVERSIZED SILK PYJAMA SHIRT

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, NO ONE ELSE WILL.

I've found there's quite a difference in the television industry between men and women. Guys always seem to be quicker to put themselves forward for opportunities, whereas (and this is a huge generalisation) girls seem to be more hesitant. Sadly it can often mean it takes them a little longer to get ahead. My Mum is a total power house. She was one of the first women to run foreign exchange/ banking dealing rooms in Oslo during the seventies. She was very used to being the only woman in the room. She always says typically "boys will be able to do 3 or 4 (out of 10) requirements for a job but still go for it. Girls tend to wait until they can do 9 or 10 before they are confident to apply" which I think is quite interesting. Having confidence to put yourself out there is important.

"Guys always seemed to be quicker to put themselves forward for opportunities, where as girls seem to be more hesitant."

Dee wears our PARIS JET BLACK STRIPE OVERSIZED SILK PYJAMA SHIRT

SHONDALAND IS AMAZING.

Shonda Rhimes and her company Shondaland have the magic touch with creating his shows. Bridgerton was an incredible show to be a part of. It's an enormous production, a real military operation. Huge amounts of crew, cast and supporting artists were needed for some of the giant ball sequences like Vauxhall Gardens and on those big days on location we were taking up something like 4680-hotel rooms per night. It is exciting to be working with people who are taking diversity incredibly seriously and going "OK if it isn't balanced, why isn't it balanced and how can we change it."

"It is exciting to be working with people who are taking diversity incredibly seriously."

SOME OF MY GIRLFRIENDS ARE GOING TO END UP RUNNING THE COUNTRY.

My friend and actress, Charlotte Riley has co-founded Wonder Works with Mark Radcliffe which delivers affordable childcare to cast and crew on film productions both in studios and on location. She has set up this double decker bus initiative (with studios and productions assisting in the funding) which acts as an affordable drop in nursery for all the crew, cast - making it easier for families to get back to working in the industry after having a child. Another power house is the wonderful Josie Naughton who founded (with Dawn O'Porter) the charity Choose Love/ Help Refugees. In 5 years - Josie has helped over 1 million refugees - and raised 10s of millions in fundraising initiatives.

Dee wears our MILAN PETROL BLUE OVERSIZED BAMBOO SATIN SHIRT

"I love Laura Jackson's style, I am always asking her where her clothes are from."

I AM OBSESSED WITH EMMA CORRIN'S LOOK.

Harry Lambert styles Emma, Josh O'Connor and Harry Styles and produces just amazing looks. I really love all the androgynous styles he does with Emma, all very monochrome, shirts, bow ties & ruffles. My absolute favourites. I was totally obsessed with Emma's Pierrot look for the Golden Globes. I also absolutely love Laura Jackson's style, who is a great friend - whenever I see her I am always asking her where her clothes are from.

MY LAST HOUR IS SPENT SCROLLING THROUGH INSTAGRAM!

But I have finally started reading again which is heaven! I wasn't able to read when the baby was in the cot next to us - as was terrified of waking the baby up! (Dee and husband Dermot have a 9-month old son, Kasper) but once he moved into his own room I was able to start reading again. I love the feeling of holding a physical book and reading. I can't quite commit to Kindles. I feel like I'm cheating on books.

Dee wears our MILAN PETROL BLUE BAMBOO SATIN OVERSIZED SHIRT

"After pregnancy, having a baby in lockdown, and a full year of tracksuit bottoms & zooms - I am desperate to get dressed up again and go to party."

I AM DESPERATE TO GET DRESSED UP AGAIN.

Since becoming a mother my body has definitely changed - I'm gradually getting my shape back, but things are a little different. I was a very high waisted jeans person, but my jeans just don't quite fit the same as before. I'm sure I'll get back there eventually, but I'm not going to give myself a hard time. Your body goes through so much in pregnancy. Although you end up adapting to your new body - I definitely don't want my style to change completely just because I'm now a mother though! After pregnancy, having a baby in lockdown, a full year of tracksuit bottoms and zooms - I am desperate to get dressed up again and go to a party. The thought of throwing on something fabulous, some actual heels & lipstick. Cannot. Wait.

HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF.

I wish in my twenties I would have had more confidence and worn that bikini! I look back at pictures and I think "oh my goodness you were in your twenties and you looked great!"

I AM DEFINITELY A HOARDER.

I have a glass wardrobe where I keep all of my fun clothes and it is my grown up dressing up box. You know the saying 'if you haven't worn it in 6-months you should get rid of it' - I am more, if you haven't worn it in 6-10 years then contemplate parting with it!

Dee wears our PARIS WHITE PIPED OVERSIZED SILK PYJAMA SHIRT

WE USED TO GO ON ONE BIG ADVENTURE A YEAR.

Dermot and I spent four weeks travelling around Brazil a few years ago and went to this incredible island off the North East Coast called Fernando de Noronha. Out of the ten best beaches in Brazil - it has 7 of them! It's the most beautiful island/ nature reserve and looks like a combination of the opening sequences from Jurassic Park and The Beach. It is incredible!

I HAVE DONE A LOT OF DESERT ISLAND LIVING.

I directed the TV reality show Shipwrecked for three seasons and the crew had to live on the island for 9 months so I am pretty well versed at living on a deserted island.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, HAVE A CUP OF TEA.

My Mum always said, when it all goes to shit have a cup of tea and everything will be OK in the morning. So true.

IN BED I WEAR.

Silk...but never silk sheets!!

@deekoppangoleary

Acclaimed director Dee Koppang O'Leary has worked on the TV shows we all binged on during lockdown, NETFLIX's acclaimed Bridgerton and The Crown; as well as just being named lead director on BBC One's, The Split. Koppang O'Leary talks to ASCENO about having the confidence to pick up the camera, coveting Emma Corrin's style and the women who are making important changes within the film industry.

Shot by husband, Dermot at their London home

Styled by herself in ASCENO SS21

Interview by Steph Sleap

Dee wears our ANTWERP BLACK LINEN JUMPSUIT

PICK UP THE CAMERA AND SHOOT SOMETHING.

Starting out in television in 2001 I was surprised to find it was such a male dominated industry. In my experience, there weren't that many women in senior creative positions. I think I only got to work with one female director, in the early days of my career - that was it! I really loved filming and camera work - but found that quite often the camera would be given to the male runners as they were deemed more 'into tech', whereas the girls (traditionally) were given the more organisational roles. I'm sure this isn't everyone's experience - but I found that girls had to really stick up their hand and say "I can help shoot second or third camera!" and try to position themselves front and centre. Back in the day - people seemed to trust the boys with the camera kit more than girls - which is so bad! The world has very much changed now, thank goodness, and things are starting to balance out slowly. I meet with younger people who want to get into film or TV and I always say to them "believe in yourself and your capabilities and just pick up the camera and shoot something." Also it's so easy now to be creative. With just your phone you have incredible access to experimenting - and filming and editing things yourself, without the need for expensive kit.

"I only got to work with one female director, in the early days of my career - that was it!"

I COMPLETELY FELL INTO TELEVISION.

I was very lucky to get my break into the industry. I managed to get a Runner's job in London through some Producer's I had done work experience with when I was at University. Half the battle - is getting your foot in the door. My first job was on a music show - hosted by Lauren Laverne (who I ended up living with for a couple of years!) After that stepping-stone, I ended up on a couple of other music shows, breakfast television and then very fortuitously (because I spoke several languages) ended up in a world of extreme travel documentaries as a self-shooting director. Which meant I got to spend a few incredible years climbing mountains in Africa, trekking through jungles, and camping in the Arctic. I even got to shoot an incredible documentary on humpback whales in Tonga with Minnie Driver. I was very lucky. I probably should have had the confidence to make the jump from non-scripted TV to drama earlier, but I don't regret it as I got to travel the world, going with the flow and falling into that role was a brilliant mistake which led to where I am now. I also would never have met Dermot!

Dee wears our PARIS WHITE PIPED OVERSIZED SILK PYJAMA SHIRT

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, NO ONE ELSE WILL.

I've found there's quite a difference in the television industry between men and women. Guys always seem to be quicker to put themselves forward for opportunities, whereas (and this is a huge generalisation) girls seem to be more hesitant. Sadly it can often mean it takes them a little longer to get ahead. My Mum is a total power house. She was one of the first women to run foreign exchange/ banking dealing rooms in Oslo during the seventies. She was very used to being the only woman in the room. She always says typically "boys will be able to do 3 or 4 (out of 10) requirements for a job but still go for it. Girls tend to wait until they can do 9 or 10 before they are confident to apply" which I think is quite interesting. Having confidence to put yourself out there is important.

"Guys always seemed to be quicker to put themselves forward for opportunities, whereas girls seem to be more hesitant."

Dee wears our PARIS JET BLACK STRIPE OVERSIZED SILK PYJAMA SHIRT

SHONDALAND IS AMAZING.

Shonda Rhimes and her company Shondaland have the magic touch with creating hit shows. Bridgerton was an incredible show to be a part of. It's an enormous production, a real military operation. Huge amounts of crew, cast and supporting artists were needed for some of the giant ball sequences like Vauxhall Gardens and on those big days on location we were taking up something like 480-hotel rooms per night. It is exciting to be working with people who are taking diversity incredibly seriously and going "OK if it isn't balanced, why isn't it balanced and how can we change it."

"It is exciting to be working with people who are taking diversity incredibly seriously."

SOME OF MY GIRLFRIENDS ARE GOING TO END UP RUNNING THE COUNTRY.

My friend and actress, Charlotte Riley has co-founded Wonder Works with Mark Radcliffe which delivers affordable childcare to cast and crew on film productions both in studios and on location. She has set up this double decker bus initiative (with studios and productions assisting in the funding) which acts as an affordable drop in nursery for all the crew, cast - making it easier for families to get back to working in the industry after having a child. Another power house is the wonderful Josie Naughton who founded (with Dawn O'Porter) the charity Choose Love/ Help Refugees. In 5 years - Josie has helped over 1 million refugees - and raised 10s of millions in fundraising initiatives.

Dee wears our MILAN PETROL BLUE BAMBOO SATIN OVERSIZED SHIRT

"I love Laura Jackson's style, I am always asking her where her clothes are from."

I AM OBSESSED WITH EMMA CORRIN'S LOOK.

Harry Lambert styles Emma, Josh O'Connor and Harry Styles and produces just amazing looks. I really love all the androgynous styles he does with Emma, all very monochrome, shirts, bow ties & ruffles. My absolute favourites. I was totally obsessed with Emma's Pierrot look for the Golden Globes. I also absolutely love Laura Jackson's style, who is a great friend - whenever I see her I am always asking her where her clothes are from.

MY LAST HOUR IS SPENT SCROLLING THROUGH INSTAGRAM!

But I have finally started reading again which is heaven! I wasn't able to read when the baby was in the cot next to us - as was terrified of waking the baby up! (Dee and husband Dermot have a 9-month old son, Kasper) but once he moved into his own room I was able to start reading again. I love the feeling of holding a physical book and reading. I can't quite commit to Kindles. I feel like I'm cheating on books.

Dee wears our MILAN PETROL BLUE BAMBOO SATIN OVERSIZED SHIRT

"After pregnancy, having a baby in lockdown, and a full year of tracksuit bottoms & zooms - I am desperate to get dressed up again and go to a party."

I AM DESPERATE TO GET DRESSED UP AGAIN.

Since becoming a mother my body has definitely changed - I'm gradually getting my shape back, but things are a little different. I was a very high waisted jeans person, but my jeans just don't quite fit the same as before. I'm sure I'll get back there eventually, but I'm not going to give myself a hard time. Your body goes through so much in pregnancy. Although you end up adapting to your new body - I definitely don't want my style to change completely just because I'm now a mother though! After pregnancy, having a baby in lockdown, a full year of tracksuit bottoms and zooms - I am desperate to get dressed up again and go to a party. The thought of throwing on something fabulous, some actual heels & lipstick. Cannot. Wait.

HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF.

I wish in my twenties I would have had more confidence and worn that bikini! I look back at pictures and I think "oh my goodness you were in your twenties and you looked great!"

I AM DEFINITELY A HOARDER.

I have a glass wardrobe where I keep all of my fun clothes and it is my grown up dressing up box. You know the saying 'if you haven't worn it in 6-months you should get rid of it' - I am more, if you haven't worn it in 6-10 years then contemplate parting with it!

Dee wears our PARIS WHITE PIPED OVERSIZED SILK PYJAMA SHIRT

WE USED TO GO ON ONE BIG ADVENTURE A YEAR.

Dermot and I spent four weeks travelling around Brazil a few years ago and went to this incredible island off the North East Coast called Fernando de Noronha. Out of the ten best beaches in Brazil - it has 7 of them! It's the most beautiful island/nature reserve and looks like a combination of the opening sequences from Jurassic Park and The Beach. It is incredible!

I HAVE DONE A LOT OF DESERT ISLAND LIVING.

I directed the TV reality show Shipwrecked for three seasons and the crew had to live on the island for 9 months so I am pretty well versed at living on a deserted island.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, HAVE A CUP OF TEA.

My Mum always said, when it all goes to shit have a cup of tea and everything will be OK in the morning. So true.

IN BED I WEAR.

Silk...but never silk sheets!!

@deekoppangoleary

@deekoppangoleary

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