Clothesline

Vuitton valueIf you're not a fan of Louis Vuitton bags (and many people are scared off by the prices and the endless imitations), some of this winter's new offerings might make you change your mind.

This is a terrific collection, and though there are many well crafted pieces not overburdened with hardware costing more than a grand, the good news is that the company has brought out a well-priced capacious bucket bag with deep interior pocket which will sell for around €400. It's called the Neverfull, and customers will not have to dig too deep into their pockets for what is a useful and good looking city shopper.

Other interesting pieces in the collection include a squishy, dark denim bag with subtle monogramming, a monogram print sheepskin frame bag with plastic finish, perfect for race meetings, and a sporty waterproof keep-all made in Germany by wet suit manufacturers - for posh surfers, no doubt.

Va va Velloza

Yasmin Velloza's collection for winter uses fabrics as soft and sensuous as the curvaceous shapes of her clothes. Velloza is an award-winning graduate of the National College of Art & Design, and has worked with Michael Mortell. She spends nearly six months of the year in Shanghai and as a self-described Euro Asian, has the added advantage of being able to speak Chinese. Her winter collection uses luxurious silk grosgrain, hand-beaded duchesse satin, and bamboo, which resembles a superfine cotton. There's a lovely black and white hand-printed organic cotton dress, with a jacket in the same fabric, but in a limited edition. Though her fan base for her red-carpet cocktail dresses, wrap shirts and classy evening coats is growing, she also does some lovely knits. Her main stockists are Tippe Canoe in Limerick and Pitt & Bond in Dublin's Westbury Mall. www.yasminvelloza.com.

Carlow chic

As well as being a fashion designer, Elaine Curtis owns a chic shop in Carlow which stocks some up-and-coming Irish and international brands, the most popular being Tara Jarmon, Just In Case and Malene Birger. This season she introduced Pocket Venus from Hong Kong, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel from Paris and Plenty from the US, along with Rupert Sanderson shoes. Irish labels include Tim Ryan and Rachel Mackey. Next Sunday she is staging a one-day clearance sale in the Herbert Park Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, from 10am to 8pm. Further information from 059-9141790. Her autumn/winter fashion show will be held on Wednesday, September 12th in Dinn Ri, Carlow. Tickets cost €25. See www.elainecurtis.ie.