The colour purple nudges out black

Nothing could be more different than the two fashion shows that took place one after the other yesterday: Khan was about luxury…

Nothing could be more different than the two fashion shows that took place one after the other yesterday: Khan was about luxury, designer labels and big price tags; Sasha about trendy clothes that are inexpensive.

Both had winners in their collections, and it is just the small matter of taste and finance that hangs in the air.

Taking luxury first. Khan, in Blackrock, has collections by over a dozen leading names, with the latest one the remarkable Megan Park, from Australia, but now based in London.

Her clothes are amazing because they always have embroidery, sometimes just a little around the hemline, or on a shoulder, but sometimes all over.

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There is an embroidered coat (£1,000) multi-colours on a beige wool background, that is a once off, once-in-a-lifetime buy.

Or what about a Pashmina shawl, embroidered and fringed at £600? Irresistible. The clothes are not fashionable in the trendy sense but will never date.

The other main story at Khan is in black stretch nylon. From shifts to suits it is in constant use.

And it can look smart. The frock coat with trousers is one of the pieces in big demand, and is for anyone looking for hard-edged chic.

Gabrielle Strenesse is particularly good at this sort of thing.

Between these extremes are the softer, easier pieces: bright colours for chiffons and fluffy knits (Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti), and check mohairs with leather (Rene Lezard).

Deryn Mackay, whose buying skills brought these clothes together, held her show at the Berkeley Court Hotel, with proceeds going to The Breast Clinic at St Vincent's University Hospital.

And the other show. Sasha is trendy, affordable, and wholly Irish. All the clothes are made in Ireland, and there are 25 shops.

Here there is a lot of ocelot, snakeskin and leather. A black leather jacket (£99), teams up with a snake print skirt (£29.99). It's a snazzy, sensuous look, and catching on fast. The emphasis on practical clothes is good, and long overcoats, in teddy bear fabric with hoods (£89-£99), and fleece-lined parkas (£79.99), are attractive, essential buys.

A reversible grey beaver jacket is very stylish worn with wine moleskin trousers and jacket.

If practical clothes are important there is also much that is fun: slip dresses for evening reminds one of party time.

Draped with a mesh coat one of these wispy satiny dresses looks much more pricey than its tag of £49.99 . Also purple is nudging out black, and gold knits are always fetching especially, as seen here, when teamed with an asymmetrically cut flimsy skirt.

From warm coats to pretty dresses, Sasha has the solution, and its Aine Range offers one or two exceptional pieces.