WITH THE introduction of new brands, mannequins and store layouts, Arnotts unveiled its autumn-winter collections for women and men with extensive still-life presentations yesterday.
Major changes are afoot from next Monday with a revamped menswear department, the arrival of US shirt range Arrow next month and the opening of a 1,700sq ft Coach accessories boutique in September.
“We’re having a bit of a love affair with US brands at the moment,” laughed buying director Deirdre Devaney.
In womenswear, 20 new international labels will thrill the store’s 25-50 demographic with a wide mix of references from vintage-style lace dresses and 1960s shifts to a blend of 1970s with “country heritage” tweeds, mohairs and leathers.
Many, like Robbi Nikki or Mark James by Badgley Mischka, are diffusion lines from hot new designers with prices ranging from €125 to €350 for dresses and coats around €400. “People are buying fewer pieces, but spending more on one item,” said Ms Devaney.
Menswear is catering extensively for the casual, contemporary and classic with items from a black velvet Patrick Cox tuxedo with beaded edges to a battered leather Steve McQueen jacket from Barbour with quilted jackets, suits (€250 up to €700), shawl-collared knitwear and all sorts of plaid shirts in between.
Womenswear draws not only from the US, but from France (Tara Jarmon), Italy (Patrizia Pepe), Spain (Hoss Intropia) and the UK (Vivienne Westwood) with an interesting range called Anderson Lauth from Iceland.
The Irish line-up features the colourful handprinted scarves from Susannah Grogan and tailoring from Heidi Higgins. Peter O’Brien’s second collection for Arnotts will debut in October.