Light And Dark At Arnotts: Eclectic Mix Showcased

A REAL but stuffed billy goat formed part of the unusual zoological props at a still life presentation by Arnotts of its autumn…

A REAL but stuffed billy goat formed part of the unusual zoological props at a still life presentation by Arnotts of its autumn-winter collections yesterday in Dublin’s Morrison Hotel.

Like King Puck, it presided over scarves and snoods from Gushlow Cole, a UK company specialising in luxury sheepskin accessories, just one of many new brands that the store is introducing this winter in its expanded accessories area.

Buyer Lisa Stanley has brought in good-looking scarves by Beck Sonder Gaard from Denmark, some handsome and affordable bags from Aubrey by UK designer Isla Simpson and Irish hats from milliner John Shevlin. A new jewellery hall will open in September including a boutique featuring some of Ireland’s most talented jewellery designers along with the official launch of the 10,000sq ft Shoe Garden, the biggest in Ireland.

As for clothing, new womenswear brands included M Missoni (a green bouclé knit coat €825), the rather glitzy Just Cavalli (a silk print tee €410) and Eryn Brinie, a stylish New York-based Korean label aimed at the price-conscious city girl (a mannish grey flannel coat €240). This and others like Twenty8Twelve manipulate heritage fabrics like tartan and tweed, complementing Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania signature grey plaids and checks. Tweed will also feature in Peter O’Brien’s collection for Arnotts due in September.

Deirdre McQuillan

Deirdre McQuillan

Deirdre McQuillan is Irish Times Fashion Editor, a freelance feature writer and an author