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A week in motion with IMAGE stylist Sinéad Keenan
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From call sheets to couture rails, IMAGE contributing fashion editor and stylist Sinéad Keenan takes us inside her world as she plans and preps for the magazine’s latest cover shoot, cutting a dash in the all-new, all-electric IONIQ 9 as she darts around the city.
Prep days
For me, prep is everything. The lead up to a big editorial shoot is a whirlwind of location sourcing, set design discussions, model castings, editing and pulling together the right mix of pieces that tell the story of the season.
I love shining a spotlight on Irish-owned boutiques and designers, so you’ll often find me darting around the city, from independent gems in Dublin’s suburbs to some of my favourite haunts in town, before heading down to Kildare to visit the amazing boutiques in Naas.
These longer drives are a joy in the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9. The car is so comfortable and smooth on the motorway that I arrive feeling relaxed and ready to focus, which is a real luxury during such a busy prep week.
Prepping for a shoot is honestly like a workout some days. I’m constantly in and out of stores, arms full of clothing bags and bulky accessories to collect, before loading everything into the car. Normally, it’s like a game of Tetris trying to fit it all in, but the extended space of the seven-seater Hyundai IONIQ 9 makes life so much easier. With the third row of seats down, the boot opens up to a super generous 908 litres of space, so I didn’t have to stress about how to get everything in.
Yet, while it’s a big car, it feels so light to drive around town. The car boasts an array of driver-assist features, including clever cameras and easy-to-read digital dash displays, which make navigating the city streets so much easier. The remote smart parking assist is also a godsend in multi-story car parks.
Shoot days
Shoot day always starts early. I usually have the car packed up first thing in the morning with everything from garment bags and rails to shoes, handbags, tool kits, and my mobile steamer. This is where the super-roomy boot in the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 comes into its own, especially in autumn when those oversized coats, chunky layers and large handbags and accessories take up so much space.
When I arrive at the studio, we unload the car, I welcome the team and run through the brief, then it’s straight into hair, make-up, and styling with our beautiful model. There’s a real buzz on set, and while it’s a long day, the energy of creating something special for the cover is always exhilarating. I love those moments when the whole team sees “the shot” come together. Of course, when shooting a full fashion editorial, there are always little stresses, like making sure everything is perfectly steamed, keeping to schedule, ensuring each look lands just right, but that’s all part of the job.
For the magazine this issue, we were shooting in a studio location, but when I’m out shooting on location, I love the fact that I can plug straight into the car thanks to Hyundai’s unique Vehicle-to-Load technology. It means I can steam clothes in the middle of a field, which is a stylist’s dream.
Then, at the end of a long but exhilarating day, I treat myself to the Ergo Motion Seat function. A back massage while driving home? Now, isn’t that how all days should end!
Family days
After a busy week, weekends, for me, are for slowing down and spending time with my daughter, Emma Rose, and our dog, Bonnie. We love heading to Herbert Park for a long walk and a coffee, or sometimes we’ll just go for a drive as a family with my husband Stefan, up to the Dublin mountains or out to Portmarnock beach.
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 is perfect for family time, carrying me from fashion editor to Mam’s taxi in style. Three rows of seats mean there’s more than enough space for Emma Rose, her pals, and Bonnie to settle in comfortably.
When it comes to family life, the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 is a perfect fit for us. There’s loads of storage space for all the bits that come with teenagers and a fur baby! The car also boasts no less than six USB-C charging ports, so nobody has to argue over the charger, and there are so many high-tech touches that make it fun for everyone. Emma Rose loves the Hyundai AI assistant, where you can ask Hyundai to change the song playing or open the sunroof at your voice command!
I love that everything feels effortless, whether we’re driving across town between shoots, doing the school run or out for a Sunday spin.
Favourite features
Discover the All-New IONIQ 9, the 7-seat electric SUV. Built for comfort, built to belong.
- All-electric seven-seater – The IONIQ 9 is the first in the Hyundai range to offer seven seats as standard in a fully electric vehicle. This premium car is perfect for large families who are looking to make the switch to EV.
- Up to 620 km range – The IONIQ 9 has a 110.3kWh battery that provides up to 620km of driving range. It also includes ultra-fast charging, which allows you to charge the car from 10-80% in 24 minutes.
- Vehicle-to-load technology (internal and external) – This allows the car to be used as a mobile power source to charge external devices. An example would be using the car to power electric devices while camping (lights, electric cookers, etc).
- Hyundai AI assistant – The IONIQ 9 is fitted with an AI-enabled voice recognition system similar to a home virtual assistant. It is activated by announcing ‘Hey Hyundai’ while in the vehicle and prompting it to provide results to your search. An example would be asking it to locate nearby shopping centres and providing directions through the navigation system.
- High-powered USB-C charging ports – The IONIQ 9 is fitted with six 100-watt USB-C charging ports distributed across the three rows of seats, making it easy for all passengers to charge their electrical devices while on the move
- Ergo motion seat – The IONIQ 9 driver’s seat is fitted with multiple functions designed to provide comfort to the driver. These include a massage function and smart-posture assist.
- Generous storage space – The incredible size of the IONIQ 9 means you have a 338-litre boot space with all three rows in place, and 908 litres with the third row folded flat. The FRUNK (under bonnet storage) also has 88 litres of storage space. This allows families to pack every essential they need when embarking on any journey with the IONIQ 9.
- State-of-the-art safety systems – The IONIQ 9 is fitted with outstanding safety features that help contribute to a smooth and safe driving experience. Some of these features include a 360-degree surround view monitor, remote smart parking assist, and smart cruise control.
Photography by Christos Celniku.
Step into tomorrow today with the Hyundai 261 Time now underway. Discover exclusive offers and experience the all-new, all-electric innovation of the Hyundai IONIQ 9 at your local Hyundai dealership. The future is today; the future is Hyundai. To learn more, visit hyundai.ie.
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