Swinging 60s look is back to the future
Cream of fashion crop showcase their latest collections
Jude wears a red silk jersey dress by La Petite Salope and a black patent headband by Ophelie hats. SASKO LAZAROV
More photos:Thursday April 02 2009
Ireland's hottest designers and several international labels took centre stage yesterday as 'The Collective' fashion show was the focus of Dublin Fashion Week.
The enduring popularity of Paul Costelloe ensured that there was a strong turnout at the Westbury Hotel, where he met the audience and chatted to his fashion fans.
Looking tanned and relaxed, the London-based Irish designer was casually dressed in his signature white shirt and denims.
On the ramp, his collection of autumn/winter evening dresses captured a youthful creativity teamed with years of tailoring expertise.
Paul is the designer whose show opens London Fashion Week so he knows how to wow the audience. "To succeed and stay at the top of the game in London you have to keep updating the look and push your creativity to the limit," he explained.
"These knitted lurex dresses on the ramp today pay homage to the 1960s with futuristic high necklines and short hemlines."
Another grey mohair dress with brocade trim and wide hips could be worn over denims or glamorous hosiery.
"These are all limited edition pieces," said Paul. "There will only be 50 or so of each garment as they are special exclusive range.
The designer dresses of Joanne Hynes also stand out both on the rail and the catwalk. They are masterful creations, from the stunning black velvet cocktail dress with a front panel of shimmering discs to her extravagant wool and fur mix coat full of interesting embellishments and beading.
The new dress shape is the waist-pincher with a balloon skirt and a blouson upper body. The bare cleavage look has been replaced by beaded necklines with a jewelled finish.
Stephen Kelly of Zeba hairdressing achieved a sleek, shiny style for the models who mainly wore their hair up.
Amanda Pratt must be delighted with the success of the Avoca Anthology label, from the ultra-cute spotty pink mac and welly boots to the purple knit cardis and matching leggings.
Lainey Keogh's cashmere collection of chiffon light knits in tones of lavender, oyster pink and aquatic green are given a fresh silhouette with the addition of rope belts inspired by the crios belt of Aran life.
Sinead Doyle is an emerging designer who has studied couture finishing in Venice and tailoring in London. Her classic wool suits come in soft dove grey plaids and her fine knit coats in shades of tan and navy bring the tones of autumn home in an ethnic fashion.
Motorola Dublin fashion week concludes today.
- Kathleen O'Callaghan
