Fashion

Fashion Forward: Party jumpsuits and velvet wrap dresses

Deirdre McQuillan and Dominique McMullan on fashion news and style tips

(Left) Luxury knitwear by Elaine Madigan from her new shop in the Westbury Mall; (Right) this rust and navy striped cardigan jacket (€250) is by Alexis Bernstorff from her debut collection at The Design House on Dawson Street

Deirdre McQuillan's face
Deirdre McQuillan
Thu Nov 24 2016 - 05:00

WEAR IT

This reworked trouser jumpsuit, for €125 from COS, cosstores.com/ie, is perfect for the more style-conscious office party attendee. DMcM

STYLE SECRET

(Left) This Luisah wrap dress is €42 from prettylittlething.com; (centre) this velvet wrap dress from Reformation is available for €431 on net-a-porter.com; (right) this jumpsuit is €125 from COS

Lorraine Keane (left) will be hosting “Keane On Style” at Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry on Friday, January 6th; (right) Navy and black “Outlaw” fake fur jacket by Bandit of London at Arnotts, now €318.50, down from €455

“Do not follow trends just because it is ‘on trend’. What suits one person may not necessarily suit you . . . and normally you are looking at it on a model who, let’s face it, probably suits everything! It is their job to wear clothes well.” Lorraine Keane. See Keane On Style at Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry on Friday, January 6th. Tickets on eventbrite.ie

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STEAL VS SPLURGE

This velvet wrap dress for €431 from cult brand Reformation – available on net-a-porter.com – is a show-stopper but the show will go on in this Luisah wrap dress €42, from prettylittlething.com DMcM

KNITWEAR CHIC

Alexis Bernstorff, a textile conservationist who was artistic director of the Ros Tapestry in Wexford, and who attributes her passion for colour and wool to years of living in a cold house, has just launched a range of knitwear, a series of coat cardigans in Donegal Aran tweed and merino yarns.

With their striking stripes and beguiling colour combinations, based on Bauhaus influences and her experience of woven and embroidered tapestries, the pieces – in small, medium and large sizes – have skirted hemlines and handmade, handpainted buttons.

Prices are €250 each and €280 for bespoke items. Find them in The Design House, Dawson Street, Dublin; The Lighthouse, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny; and The Store at Inistioge, Co Kilkenny. Visit alexxidesign.com DMcQ

COLOURFUL CASHMERE

The Westbury Mall will be home to a new Irish knitwear shop opening this week by Elaine Madigan, well known internationally for her colourful cashmere scarves which she sells in her shop Couture Boutique in Naas and online.

The new shop will house not only her knitwear but also the knits made in collaboration with fashion designer Mariad Whisker – Madigan Whisker – which were part of the Create exhibition earlier this year in Brown Thomas.

Plans in the pipeline include a special jewellery collection to complement the knitwear by her husband, Richard Madigan, a fifth generation jeweller.

The mall continues its regeneration with the Design Ireland pop-up retail shop now up and running until December 24th, along with Stable at the mall's entrance – and all run by women. DMcQ

FAUX FUR

Chilly days demand winter warmers and this is the season of velvet and faux fur for that extra look of luxury and comfort.

These zany faux fur jackets are by Bandit of London in the Burlington Arcade – a label established by a Brazilian designer called Ana Konder that includes coats and fun fur scarves that are now sold in Arnotts.

This particular navy and black number called The Outlaw jacket is currently €318.50, on arnotts.ie, down from its original price of €455. DMcQ