“IT’S ABOUT the 1950s, the 1960s and 1920s”, said Deirdre Devaney, buying director of Arnotts, yesterday describing forthcoming fashion trends at a special preview of the store’s spring-summer collections.
The 1950s was most in evidence showing in the more structured silhouette and fuller skirts, in buoyant colours and playful prints like a toothbrush print silk dress by Anna Sui. “They are great shapes for real women’s bodies – far more suitable for Irish ladies than the androgynous look,” said Devaney.
Peplums, bows and other feminine details embellished ladylike labels like Badgley Mischka, Tara Jarmon and Ted Baker, but a plain navy jacket and shorts from NW3 cut a sharper look while Anderson Lauth’s cold Icelandic colours were a contrast to its romantic vintage-style lace dresses and sequined tops. Dresses predominated, but some like those from Gestuz, a Scandinavian brand were darker and more linear and armed with a lot of rock chick hardware. Both Victoria Beckham and Sienna Miller’s ranges featured flattering tunics, cropped trousers and narrow jeans in keeping with the store’s widening offer of denim, in yellow, pink, orange and red as well as the usual blue shades.
Next spring the store will open a 10,000 sq m “shoe garden” with about 40 footwear brands almost doubling its present offer, part of its general expansion of accessories. Having successfully opened the Coach handbag boutique last year, the store will also launch Longchamp’s new collaboration with Mary Katrantzou next season and new bag ranges like the Z Spoke by Zac Posen and See by Chloe.
A scarf design competition for Irish designers in association with Beta Fashions was also announced yesterday.