"IRISH WOMEN love colour and colour makes the difference between a good and a bad season. Last winter, colours were muted and hard to sell, but this winter it is different. We buy more colour than the UK," said Jane McGann, womenswear buyer for Arnotts yesterday at the launch of the store's autumn/winter collection in the Light House Cinema in Smithfield.
The catwalk show was the first to be held in the venue that opened a year ago to present Irish, independent, foreign-language, arthouse and classic movies.
Strong primary colours, like a lime silk dress worn with purple tights, formed the core focus of the show, which was youthful in spirit and divided into seven parts, including menswear.
Drawn from US and European boutiques as well as from global brands, the themes were the predictable ones of the current season like tartan, folk and "Goth" (meaning black).
However, with the latter exception, colour seeped into all categories and accessories from bright red or apple-green coats and trenches to tartan dresses, striped knits, cute, printed blouses and show-stopping bronze gowns from Oscar designers like Nicole Miller.
A T-shirt under a halter tulle dress defined the collection's breezy styling.
Many alluring though rather pricey black items showed confident, international buying like a black lace dress from New York designer Yoana Baraschi, a padded black silk opera coat by Stella Forest and an ultra feminine cream and a black lace blouse by Nanette Lepore - two classy French labels.
"We are trying to be different and going for more interesting looks that are contemporary and young," said McGann.
Arnotts has streamlined and whitewashed its fashion floor, upgraded lighting and created a more clinical open space to facilitate locating their brands.
A "soft" opening of the former Debenhams in the Jervis Centre targeted at younger customers will open in Henry Street at the end of November.