Arnotts presents spring/summer 2014 collection

Buyers at Arnotts were tight-lipped about a possible takeover by Selfridges at an upbeat presentation of their spring/summer 2014 fashions held in Smock Alley yesterday.

The new season’s trends were for bright colour and print with a strong emphasis on short dresses, many 1950s style with fuller skirts. The few trousers on show were narrower and usually worn with silk shell tops. Some of Orla Kiely’s dresses were sportier while Missoni’s separates were zany and graphic. White oversize dresses by D.Efect were lacklustre.

New brands included Milly, Halston Heritage and Clover Canyon, all from the US. Clover Canyon's flamboyant shapely dresses with prints that could be compared to Mary Katrantzou come in fine neoprene while some of Milly's prints draw from Hawaiian/Japanese florals – one dress featured parrot motifs.

"Our ladies love colour. They like to dress up and they are unapologetically feminine," said Deirdre Devaney, head of womenswear.

New to menswear were Gant, Lyle & Scott and Jack & Jones and again there was more colour and print. Suits were fitted with narrower lapels and trousers, some in linen “for weddings abroad” according to Valerie O’Neill, menswear buyer. Casual separates from Lyle & Scott, Gant and Gagliardi were strong. In a departure from the usual format, menswear closed the show.