Shades of Gray in Anrotts winter fashion show

A highlight of the Arnotts autumn/winter fashion show last night was Peter O'Brien's fourth collection for the store. It was "a different story with the same words", according to the designer.

Fresh from two months in London and France creating costumes for The Price of Desire, a movie about Irish architect Eileen Gray in which Irish actor Orla Brady takes the lead role, O'Brien said that some of the pieces in his new collection such as the colour-blocked cardigans and tunics, "must have been inspired by Gray's rectangular shapes".

Yellow shots
A new departure from his familiar monochrome and navy is a surprising shot of bright yellow for a limited edition coat in a quality fabric sourced in Portugal. The main thrust of the whole collection, however, was a new take on the tuxedo, which was reworked in a sleeveless black crepe dress with full skirt or in a neat jacket with high-waisted trousers with side satin seams.

There are six coats (from about €400) including a handsome fit and flare number in black wool, one in a more rounded style with drop shoulders and gathered sleeves and another in moss green with a trompe l'oeil effect of waistcoat and jacket lapels.

Streetwise styling by Niamh O'Rourke (tuxedos with Converse runners) kept the overall look of restraint and elegance fresh and modern.

Cotton shirts
The 32-piece collection, which includes three white cotton shirts, goes on sale today as part of the Love Irish Design initiative in Arnotts. Prices go from €90 for short-sleeve knits up to €470 for a dress coat.

The Arnotts show also included collections from Orla Kiely, Goat and US brand Jill Stuart along with Pour La Victoire, the French footwear and accessories brand for which actor and former model Cameron Diaz was named as artistic director.