The new Prada outlet store in Kildare Village is a big one and a significant newcomer in the Irish branch of value retail. Bright and spacious, it has womenswear, menswear, bags, jewellery and other accessories all under one roof.
Spotted on a recent visit were elegant pleated navy silk dresses for about €500, stylish Miu Miu coats about €700 and various bags at reduced prices along with alluring jewellery.
Male shoppers hovered around quilted jackets with fur hoods and there was a lot of interest in shoes displayed along one wall. A major design flaw in an otherwise cool and modern interior were the double decker rails, the top one too high to access. You had to ask a staff member to hook down anything of interest. It is not comparable to Prada’s beautiful flagship in Milan, but then neither are the prices.
Shawl for nursing mothers
Electronic Sheep, known for their graphic, printed knits have recently launched a collaboration with the National Maternity Hospital. It’s a large shawl specifically aimed at breast-feeding women to encourage and support nursing mothers.
An oversize blanket in the signature Electronic Sheep illustrative style, it comes in 100 per cent merino in bright colours with an image of a mother feeding her baby.
Brenda Aherne who founded the brand with her London-based partner Helen Delaney has a special affinity for Holles Street as both her children were born there. The limited edition shawl sells for €155 and can be found on www.electronicsheep.com. 10% of all sales will go to the NMH Foundation.
New knitwear
The knitter Edmund McNulty will be presenting his winter collection of handknits in Frewen & Aylward in Dún Laoghaire today from 10am-5pm. It includes this blue hoodie (which also comes in grey) in camel and merino wool for €349.
