Interviews - EXCLUSIVE VIP MAGAZINE NTERVIEW

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RONAN'S BEAUTIFUL WIFE YVONNE KEATING IN HER MOST GLAMOROUS PHOTO SHOOT EVER, TALKS ABOUT WORK, MOTHERHOOD AND HER NEW ROLE.

As she launches the flagship store for House Of Fraser, Yvonne Keating models their top labels and talks exclusively to VIP about style, celebrity and motherhood.

When British retail giant, House of Fraser were choosing a face to launch their Irish flagship store at the spectacular new Dundrum centre in Dublin, Yvonne Keating was the obvious choice. The epitome of modern women, Yvonne is sophisticated, confident and vibrant, with many facets to her life - she's a wife, mother and business woman. As Ronan Keating's wife, she also experiences much of the ups and downs of celebrity lifestyle. But House of Fraser's new 'face' doesn't let the media frenzy go to her head. Indeed, she is flattered to be asked to launch the store and in this exclusive interview with VIP, puts her glamorous life in context, "Let's face it - whether you work or not, whether you're at home minding kids or out doing a job, or both, everyone's busy."

Yvonne may be modern women personified, but she's also beautiful, stylish, a former model, and she's one of our own. Like most women, she loves to dress up for a special occasion - we often see her looking stunning on the red carpet, as she accompanies husband Ronan to big international award ceremonies. But life isn't all glamorous gowns and fabulous parties for this mum of two, as she tells VIP, "I find that evening gowns don't really work on the school run!" she jokes.

To celebrate the opening of House of Fraser at Dundrum, on March 3rd, VIP caught up with Yvonne for this stunning photoshoot, where she modelsher favourite choices from the exciting range of labels which will be available at the store, and talks to VIP about motherhood, style and being married to a famous man.

House of Fraser is the biggest thing to happen in retailing in Dublin for decades; how do you feel about launching it?

I'm really excited about it. I've heard so much about House of Fraser opening, and now its finally happening. I just wish it was nearer home! But Dundrum is a great spot for a new centre of fashion.

As a store, it represents women who are working, mothers, wives or partners, something you know all about.

Yes, I'm really flattered that they asked me. I'm representative of what women go through today. Let's face it whether you work or not, whether you're at home minding the kids or out doing a job, or both, everyone's busy. They saw that in me.

Are you working at the moment?

I'm a housewife and a mother and I also work in a number of companies, both property and spin-offs from Ronan's business. I love property and really enjoy getting involved in buying and selling. I do the groundwork.

You're also a busy mum; how old are your two children now?

Jack is six and Marie is four. Jack started school last year and Marie will start in September. She's very confident and all psyched up about school, which is great. It means I don't have to worry about her. It's a new adventure and I'm excited for her. Jack's a typical boy - he loves to get out and play football and get dirty. He's great fun. Everyone thinks their child is different, but at the end of the day, they're all fairly typical!

We see you in the media wearing fabulous designer gowns, so we imagine life is always like that for you - is it?

Not at all! I tend to go from one extreme to the other - its either tracksuits or evening gowns! I find that evening gowns don't really work on the school run! I love extremes. During the week, I throw on a tracksuit and don't wear make-up. Then when there's a big event on, I love the formal wear and all that goes with it, the hair style, the make-up, the accessories. I suppose, because I don't wear make-up normally, I love the whole dressing up thing. It's nice, after being in a tracksuit for three weeks, to dress up and look in the mirror and say, "I do look OK!"

So you go to the supermarket without make-up?

Every day!

Describe your style.

I don't know, I think someone else would have to describe it. I like so many different looks - sometimes I want to look sexy, sometimes classic, or rock chick or 40's. I like to go for a whole look, so if I go for a 40's look I'll do my hair and make-up in that style. I suppose I dress for my mood and where I'm going, whether its ripped jeans and a sexy top, or a demure dress.

Do you enjoy shopping?

Occasionally, when I don't need something. But when I do, it's so hard. I really hate, hate shopping for jeans, it makes my skin crawl! There's just too muchchoice and they are so personal.

When you are walking up the red carpet with banks of photographers clicking madly, is it intimidating?

Not really, because of my modelling background. I think it would have been without that. There've been times when it has been a bit intimidating, such as the MTV awards, when there are hundreds of photographers - that was a bit scary! But I don't get nervous now. I realise it's not about me. It's about Ro, he's the one who's interviewed. So there's no pressure really on me.

Any tips on posing for the cameras?

Perfect women will always say, stand there and look natural, but you can't say that to someone with a big tummy or wide hips. I have a few problem areas that I've learned to hide! So it's really a case of knowing your best assets and learning how to diminish your faults.

How do you choose your red carpet outfits?

Sometimes I like to wear something new, usually from next season, but I often wear something that's in my wardrobe already and change the way I wear it, maybe an evening skirt and change the top, or change the accessories so it looks different.

Can you be seen in the same thing twice?

No - I made that mistake once, I wore the same outfit six months apart, and I think it was Now! Magazine reported it! You've got to laugh!

Do designers want to dress you and give you free clothes?

A lot of designers are very generous. I think there can be a great relationship between a designer and a celebrity, particularly if the celebrity is very famous and photographed a lot - and I'm not talking about myself!

Do you miss modelling?

I don't miss full-time modelling. I always remember it was so cold! You were always in some draughty old house, or outdoors in the middle of winter in light summer clothes. I used to bring my own heater with me! But I really enjoy days like this with VIP and House of Fraser. Anything I do now is usually for someone I know and I have a personal reason to do it. But in terms of full-time modelling - been there, done that!

Do you still hang out with your modelling friends?

Amanda Byram is one of my best friends. She's doing extremely well and I'm so proud of her. She's really hardworking, she's ambitious and absolutely lovely and talented. I always knew she'd do it.

What are the pressures of being in the public eye?

I suppose bad publicity. But to be honest, I've had very little of that. It's not about me. Fame by association is different to being famous yourself. Some say it's worse that being famous, because the famous person is prepared for all the publicity and the partner isn't. I haven't had a downside. We're very down to earth and we're pretty careful - you don't tell everyone your business.

Do you travel a lot with Ronan?

I used to travel with Ronan a lot, but when Jack started school I couldn't. Ronan travelled more when he was with Boyzone but since he's gone solo, not so much. It's hard when you're in band, you can't control things and you have to do what everyone else is doing. As a solo artist, he can control where he goes and what he does. When Brian McFadden decided to leave Westlife to be with his family, despite what happened since, I really understood that. It's important to be able to say when you are travelling, "I want to go home and spend time with my family."

Has Ronan's solo career made a difference to your lives?

We got together when Boyzone were nearing the end, so it hasn't changed that much. The big thing for Ronan is that he makes his own decisions and he's doing what he wants, so he's happier and that makes me happy.

How did you meet Ronan?

We met when we were 13, briefly. Then we met again years later, around the time that Ronan was presenting the Eurovision. We were friends for about a year and a half and then it gradually progressed to falling in love. We're married almost seven years now.

What age are you?

I'm 31.

You're very honest about your age.

Well I have to be! My birthday was last week and Jack stood at the gate of his school and shouted, "My mummy's 31 today!" So there's no point in lying!

What do you like to do with the children?

I hate to see them sitting around the house. I love to get them out, but at this time of year the weather is often battling against you. For a treat, they love to go to the movies. They're really happy playing with their friends and cousins. They're good travellers too, they're used to it.

Do you have a house abroad?

Yes, we have a house in Portugal and we go there for the summer. I used to think that going to the same place every year would be boring - that was before I had children. Now I think it's great, there are no surprises. We're very lucky we get to go other places too, the odd time.

What do you and Ronan like to do together?

Regular stuff. We love to travel and love to discover new places. We also love to put our feet up at home too! We're movie buffs, we see every movie that comes out! And we've got friends who love movies too, so we hang out together. They're not in the business, they're from years ago. We've a close circle including family, brothers and sisters, so we go to each others' houses. Occasionally, we go to a charity ball to support a friend. We know that Ronan turning up will help them raise money.

Would you ever get involved with a charity?

I'm not on any boards, but I do help our family foundation, The Marie Keating Foundation. I haven't got attached to one charity and won't while the children are still small.

What are your plans for the future Yvonne?

In the immediate future, I'm really looking forward to launching House of Fraser. It's nice to be able to use my modelling background for special events like that. I love what I do, especially the property. As the kids get older, I'd consider a retail business, but not while they're small. You have to give retail so much time.

Are you ever surprised how life has turned out?

Not really, thing happen gradually, like falling in love, so you never think, "How did I get here?" I suppose there are elements of my life that are bizarre, but day-to-day it's like everyone else's - you make the dinner for the kids and fill the dishwasher!