japanese style

There's a kind of mad exuberance about the clothes of Tsumori Chisato, a Japanese designer who worked for Issey Miyake as head of Issey Sport and launched her own collection in 1990.

Earlier this year in Paris I saw her winter show, which was a mix of print and elaborate patterning with a Nordic theme, even featuring an igloo in the presentation; strange territory for an Asian designer. Her dresses (left), with their bold patterns, elaborate cut-out details and appliqués are now being stocked by Smock in Dublin's Temple Bar. Other labels in the boutique comprise a selective edit from hip European collections such as Vanessa Bruno from France, Veronique Branquinho and AF Vandevoorst from Belgium, along with Australian labels including Easton Pearson and Mayle. Smock is at 20-22 Essex Street West, 01-6139000.