Clotheslines

Seams smart

The latest clothes from the North Face have "magic seams" which are welded rather than stitched. The effect is smoother, cleaner and makes for a lighter garment that can keep water out and heat in. Such technology has been mainly seen on waterproof gear, but now it's being used for mainstream adventure travel clothing. Though the new products won't be in Irish outlets such as the North Face shop in Temple Bar, Arnotts and the Great Outdoors in Dublin until September, they include quick-drying featherweight pants and shorts which not only look cool exploring the great outdoors, but are practical in these days when travelling light is becoming essential. Other items, such as a women's Capri pants, are in eco cloth, a new soft and supple fabric made from bamboo fibre.  

Class acts

Summertime is student time and this year's 28 fashion graduates of Limerick School of Art & Design were the most numerous since the course began in the 1970s. Their graduate show was notable for a number of stellar collections particular those of Julianne Hennelly (left), Stephanie Foy, Fionnuala Donnelly, Margarite Doyle, Sinead Lawlor, Rebecca Garcia, Aimee O'Beirne, Kieran Kilgallon, Ruth Holland and Deirdre Brennan, winner of this year's Nokia student award. What was remarkable was how different each student's approach was and how varied their inspiration. Some have had placements in New York with Zac Posen, others in Paris with Sharon Wauchob and in London with Camilla Staerk and Ann Sophie Back, but all brought their own aesthetic to their work. Some had powerful commercial potential. Such is the demand for the degree course that 700 interviews take place annually for 27 places.