ClothesLines

party girl central:Her new shop is as sparkling and bright as her personality, so Emma Barrett should have no shortage of customers for her party frocks.

She has called it Emma, and it's full of all kinds of gear for the party girl. "I want the store to look like Betsey Johnson," says Barrett, who has served a global apprenticeship having worked in New York, in the Hamptons, in David Jones in Australia, and for three years in Whistles in Brown Thomas. For the past five years she has worked at Rococo, and managed the new Noa Noa store. Barrett has all sorts of goodies in stock, including a zany range from Copenhagen called Mille K (great knits and chiffon dresses) and another called Lie Down I Think I Love You (granny-knit bags), along with lots of layered silks and satins. Emma, 33 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2, 01-6339781.

sun and ski value

Dunnes Stores has just launched a new range of swimwear and skiwear aimed at the increasing numbers of Irish people taking to the sun or the snow at this time of year. A white ski jacket with a faux fur trim for women carries a €75 price tag, while girls' and boys' ski jackets are €40. As for the swimwear, they're practically giving it away, with nothing priced over €15. Look out for a particularly good floral halter vest top with matching briefs, more flattering than a bikini, and only €5 and €3. In Dublin the ranges can be found in Stephen's Green, Cornelscourt, Blanchardstown and Swords.