Dublin city's polished set turned up in their hundreds yesterday for the Brown Thomas (BT) autumn/winter fashion show - held at a €1,500-a-table Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children charity lunch in the Four Seasons.
The event featured some 20 international brands showcasing their wares for winter.
"It is a season of contrasts," Shelly Corkery, BT's head of womenswear, told The Irish Times. "It is all about layering and the return of tailoring. A long-sleeved T-shirt under a short-sleeved sweater is an easy way to get the layered look."
Lining up, the big brands highlighted their particular strengths and styles of dressing.
Hermes does the refined urban equestrian look to perfection, a theme adopted in a more baroque manner by D&G's frock coats complete with bridle fittings and jeans. Shiny fabrics were everywhere, from D&G's gold brocade tulip dresses and empire-line velvets to the glamrock white suits and gold jackets of Gucci. Gold also featured in Lainey Keogh's glitzy new collection - all gleaming crochet lace dresses and lamé-felted coats.
Knitwear, another big fashion story this winter, was strongest in Stella McCartney's collection with its slouchy shawl knits and lean check trousers. At Alexander McQueen, chunky sweaters were worn with tartan skirts.
The best coats in the show were from Burberry in mulberry and black; and at Chanel, layered over georgette tunics and high white patent boots. The most vital accessories this season are leggings, and they were worn the modern way under full skirts.
