BLAME Sienna Miller in the US movie Factory Girlfor the ongoing revival of 1960s-style fashion which figured as one of the main trends in A|wear's autumn/winter launch yesterday in Dublin.
“How to do the new retro” is the theme of their “magalogue”, a combination of magazine and catalogue using Tara Delevigne, younger sister of leading UK model and socialite Poppy Delevigne as cover girl.
It’s not just the short, pussy bow dresses, tousled blonde hair and long bare legs that evoke the decade, but that fearless youthful attitude wrapped in a fake fur leopard-print jacket.
A new take on the 1970s was similar in spirit. Sweeping maxi dresses and long skirts in dark, rich prints for off-duty wear made the transition of the long skirt from summer into winter seamless with the addition of chunky cabled or alpine knits.
All this adds up to a strong dress season but trousers are back, softly tailored like shorts, some fit and flare and worn with high-necked blouses, the new caped coat or shearling jacket and a cross-body or envelope bag.
Highlights from the collection included petal dresses in tamarind or black and a good selection of coats and jackets from duffels and cropped camel trenches to sharp military brass button jackets and collarless biker styles at affordable prices.
In October, A|wear will launch its first footwear collection with some 60 to 80 styles, a date which also marks its 25th birthday.
“Consumer sentiment is up” says A|wear chief executive Annmarie Flood. “Whatever about the recession our customer is feeling better about life and at €35-€50 for a dress, it doesn’t break the bank.”