Fashion Forward: River Island’s ‘Studio’ collection arrives

If River Island’s last two Studio collections are anything to go by, shoppers will be excited by the next release, which hits stores this month. The Studio collections represent the brand’s premium offering, using luxe fabrics and classic designs to create real wardrobe investment pieces.

This particular collection could be described as 1970s meets modern Moroccan. Balancing modern silhouettes with highly decorative patterns, detailed embellishment and a laid back 1970s style is no mean feat, but River Island’s designers seem to manage it.

The capsule edit is formed of 31 pieces, and includes everything from billowing summer daywear to heavy beaded nightwear. The obvious stand-out piece is this navy suede eyelet detail tunic style dress. Prices for the collection range from €75 to €200 and will be available in select River Island stores and online at riverisland.com. DMcM

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Steal Vs Splurge

Hit all the right notes with this eyelet lace-up denim mini-dress from Gucci for €1,600 at net-a-porter.com or keep your voice with this denim lace-up By Very for €37 at Littlewoods Ireland. DMcM

Satchel for hillwalkers

For hardy souls going trekking, hiking or hillwalking around the wild Atlantic way or elsewhere, Ashleigh Smith has designed a handsome field satchel, a scaled down version of her classic satchel, useful also about town.

In a tough duck canvas with cotton strapping and brass fittings, the satchel comes in four colours (red, black, moss green and tan), is iPad friendly, fits a pair of binoculars, a flask, a diary or other essentials.

Tough, durable and made by hand in a coastal workshop in the west of Ireland, it costs €62 and can be found in Dublin, Sligo, Cork, Galway and Co Down – a list of stockists can be found on atlanticequipmentproject.com. DMcQ

Silk and suede for summer

This easygoing silk shirt from We Are Islanders for spring/summer 2016 is cut from fine woven organic bamboo silk that has been handpainted (€220). It is one of four items – a dress, coat and skirt – as well as some salmon suede pieces from a collection called Journey to Hy-Brazil based on a fictional journey undertaken by two 18th century female explorers posing as men. The pieces are made in Ireland using locally produced materials will launch in store and online on April 27th. weareislanders.com DMcQ

Style Secret from Debbie O'Donnell, head of daytime (acting), TV3

“Don’t be a fashion victim, dress for your body shape and not to be on trend. The trend will fade but the photo will still be there, believe me I know. If you do want to follow a trend then chose one that suits you.”

Wear it

These dreamy wide-legged trousers in a tapestry brocade print make us think of cocktails and warm bare skin. Made from a blend of organic hemp and organic silk, they’re also good for the planet. Find them in H&M. DMcM