Designer Helen McAlinden launched her autumn-winter collection in the City Assembly House on South William Street yesterday just as the Dublin Fashion Festival was also officially opened.
McAlinden’s collection was a grown-up mix of classic tailoring, affordable work attire, casual cashmere knits and evening separates inspired, she said, by innumerable work and pleasure trips to Manhattan.
It wasn’t all predictable well-mannered coats, slim dresses and silk shirts however.
McAlinden is one of the few Irish designers who uses Irish tweed consistently, this time in bold plaid coats and oatmeal jackets (€310) worn with jeggings (€125) and high boots.
Chunky Aran
For winter she has incorporated sky blue and grey cashmere knits in tunic and poncho shapes (€250 and €125) as well as one in a chunky white Aran style (€185). New versions of her best-selling wrap dresses (€185) included a blue-and- black leopard print, a motif repeated in mohair for a short wrap coat (€350).
In keeping with current trends, there were shots of metallic – a silver skirt and gold faux leather tunics along with 1950s silk brocade full skirts for evening, but the overall look was of easygoing, stylish comfort with a zany orange parka (€320) to brighten up a rainy winter day.
Young designer
Dublin Fashion Festival’s various events yesterday included style workshops in city centre stores and a Young Designer of the Year fashion show in College Green.
Today’s line-up includes a fashion presentation on the Luas and another showcasing the city’s Creative Quarter independents hosted by Angela Scanlon.
The festival organised by DublinTown (formerly Dublin City Business Improvement District) continues until Sunday.
Details can be found at dff.ie.
