PREGNANT WITH PIETRO: Wedding dresses are more about emotion than style, but nuptial attire for the pregnant bride adds a more challenging dimension. Pietro Brunelli is an Italian line of maternity and matrimonial wear, using the most luxurious fabrics and the highest standards of manufacturing.
Stocked exclusively in Nelo in Dublin, it specialises in flattering cuts and expansive shapes. Some of the clothes, in slinky silks and satins, are more like fertility goddess gowns, while others, like sexy baby-doll style tops, are the sort to be worn with jeans. Helen O'Connor, owner of Nelo, swears that the jeans and black satin trousers are a cut above the rest, stressing that the maternity wear is made in the same factories used by Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton. Prices start at around €495, and go up to €750 for wedding dresses with that extra, expensive bit of pregnant glamour. Call 01-6791336 for more information.
FLOWERS ON YOUR APRONS
Adele Hickey may be Ireland's apron queen, but her modern, lightweight aprons are more the stuff of dreams than domestic drudgery. "My work is about looking back in a simple way," she says of her spring-summer collection. Primarily in net and cotton jersey, and featuring Liberty prints with little cap sleeves, the collection harks back to the 1920s. Her dresses, aprons and underskirts have no zips or buttonholes, and only fine elastic waistbands, everything being made to go on over the head or wrap around the body. The floral aprons feature her signature stitching and ribbons, and her most elaborate number is a beaded silk apron, worn over a T-shirt dress or with an A-line skirt. Her "On" collection is sold in Kalu in Naas and can also be made to order. Prices are from €80 for a T-shirt, €200 for aprons and €320 for hand-beaded dresses. Contact her at onedaysoon@eircom.net, 01-8069420 or 087-9819448.
OZZY COMES TO NENAGH
Menswear designer Ozwald Boateng, brother of British politician Paul Boateng, has made the trip to Tipp. His Savile Row tailoring, slim cuts and zany use of colour have given his sartorial style an edge appreciated by high-profile clients such as Daniel Day Lewis, Will Smith and Keanu Reeves. The purple suit Jamie Foxx wore to the Oscars was a Boateng, and this year the designer was appointed official menswear stylist for the Bafta awards. Denise Meagher, owner of Tipperary's most talked-about shop, The Business in Nenagh, has scored something of a coup by becoming the exclusive stockist of Boateng's bespoke couture in Ireland. Adventurous and style-conscious Irish males should head to Nenagh, where a suit will cost around €900-€1,000. Those already in the know include Brian Kennedy, Mark Cagney of TV3 and natty Tipperary jeweller Mattie Ryan. Call 067-43283 for more information.
A DESIGN FOR LIFE
The revamp of the Design Centre in Dublin's Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, now under the ownership of Ashling Kilduff, has given a lacklustre space a dynamic, modern look, with flamboyant use of glass, limestone flooring and white walls. Handmade wallpaper and modern chandeliers add luxury touches to an area that will now house over 30 Irish and international designers. Many of the designers will be exclusively stocked here, such as Man Wing from Hong Kong, who makes one-off pieces in handfinished silk for about €250. Design Centre will also be the place to find Matthew Williamson accessories, interesting jewellery collections from the likes of Biche de Bere and Erikson Beamon, not to mention real French espadrilles and Philip Treacy hats.
CHILD'S PLAY
Molly 'n' Jack is a cute new range of children's wear for infants up to four years. The designs were inspired by Norman Rockwell images of family picnics. There are pretty little sunshine florals and patchworks for girls, plaid checks for boys, as well as motifs of trains, 10-pin bowling, scooters and toy robots. Sold exclusively in Boots stores in Liffey Valley and Jervis Shopping Centre, everything is machine-washable and prices start at €4.29 for accessories, €28.59 for girls' sundresses, and €17.16 for boys' romper suits.
