Making their debut at Showcase this month (January 2018) are Hannah Mullen and Grainne Finn, the duo behind Tissue, a hip young Irish brand steadily making its mark in fashion. Both women bring significant experience to what they create – Mullen spent eight years as a pattern cutter with John Rocha and has a degree in art history, Finn is a talented graphic artist responsible for the distinctive prints and both work part time to support their label.

For the show they will focus on scarves and knitwear alongside a small capsule clothing collection. Their knits, for example (samples were knitted by Mullen’s mother Aoibheann, an expert at the craft), are a new take on the classic Aran in cream and reddish orange. The oak leave prints for the silk scarves are based on 18th-century embroideries samplers that Finn saw in Bath, echoes of which are in the accompanying dress, skirt and T-shirt top.

“We know what people want to wear as professionals – we are both working, but we want to do things slowly. It is very satisfying to do your own thing having worked in fashion for so long. We have achieved a lot and are mature in our approach,” says Mullen. This collection will be one to watch.

Your Highness
The one welcome denim trend of last year was the return of high-waisted jeans. It's a style that suits most figures, is comfortable and flattering and whether the leg is cropped, flared, slit or skinny, worn with flats, heels or boots, makes no difference to the way it sits on the waist rather than on the hips, as this pic from River Island shows. At River Island, jeans are priced from €50-€55 and its plus collection now has more alternatives; sizes overall go from size 4 (petite) to size 28 (plus).