"It's a dress season," said Louise Kennedy at the launch of her summer collection yesterday in her Georgian headquarters at Merrion Square. "It's a great way to introduce colour, texture and print."
The designer emphasised her point dressed in a kaftan trimmed with green Swarovski crystal over black jersey trousers. The jewelled kaftan was a recurring feature of the collection, whether in bright Indian sari colours or in night-time shades glittering with lavish embroidery.
Many were worn with tight white jeans or flowing flamboyantly over palazzos. Kennedy spends every 14-16 weeks in New Delhi working with Indian craftsmen and the collection was threaded with their intricate handwork.
For a designer who has long been associated with sophisticated tailoring, suits and jackets hardly made an appearance in this 48-piece show, their role going to dresses, superfine knits and beaded boleros. Notable exceptions were an exquisite gold-embroidered lurex linen coat and a couple of jackets including a cardigan-style number in a lovely bronze Linton tweed. Dresses ranged from wraps in white or turquoise jersey to summery primrose prints and navy fluted silks trimmed with bugle beads. The overall look was one of soft elegance and the use of silver and gold even down to the footwear seemed to reflect a lifestyle of leisured luxury.
These are promising times for Kennedy. Forthcoming ventures include opening a bridal boutique at Merrion Square next year, developing a table-top range for Tipperary Crystal and working with developer Donal Caulfield designing the interiors of 22 luxury homes in Streamstown, Malahide.
Described as being the most exclusive property development ever launched in Ireland, starting prices for the houses - which are due to come on stream next year - will be €4 million.