Clothes lines

A round-up of fashion news by DEIRDRE MCQUILLAN

Curves in mind

“It’s all about working casual or the wedding option,” says Helen O’Connor of Nelo Maternity about the types of maternity wear pregnant women are prepared to spend money on. Having set up Nelo seven years ago with partner Annette Waldron, the women, who are both mothers of three children, have clocked up a lot of experience about clothes worn in expansionary times.

With budget-conscious options in mind, the pair decided to create a collection of basic items which are made in Portugal. They have just launched the collection, called Ooh Mama!, and it will be sold in their Dublin and Limerick shops and online. It comes in machine washable viscose/lycra and is composed of four dresses and several tops in a variety of plain colours. They have also designed elasticated-waist jeans (€79). Prices start at €39 for a long V-neck top, and go up to €89 for a wrap dress. Non-pregnant customers are buying the tops for yoga classes. nelomaternity.com.

Dress up time

I love this combination from Warehouse of velvet jacket, embroidered dress and feathery accessory. It’s an easy, partygoer look that ticks all the trend boxes.

There’s another beaded dress in the collection shown with a faux fur worn just over one shoulder, showing how not to overwhelm an outfit.

Even simpler is this black tuxedo worn with silver sequin trousers and chunky heels. If you don't have a Warehouse branch nearby, you can buy online, with delivery to Ireland for just €5.95. See www.warehouse.co.uk

As seen . . . everywhere

Marketplace is yet another initiative from online boutique ASOS, which has just posted an impressive 59 per cent rise in half-year profits. It is a new digital platform where boutiques, vintage collectors, individuals and designers, established or undiscovered, can open virtual shops. It will open up a global reach – initially to UK-based sellers – of two million active customers. Although not yet open to Irish-based sellers or designers (though open to Irish buyers), it is hoped that it will become international once the roadmap is developed. Some of the first participants include Browns Focus, which hosts labels such as Alexander Wang and Nicholas Kirkwood; Fairground, popular with emerging actors and musicians; FUD, brainchild of designers Laura Boyle and Louise Halswell, who have created a luxury line of hoods, and Boutique by Susan Caplan, a collection of bold vintage jewellery. See asos.com.