green glamourThe green georgette bow dress from Karen Millen caught our eye in the current season's catalogue. Glamorised with crystal sandals and a crystal ring, it costs €215, while the sandals cost €205 and the ring is €65. The collection also includes a green taffeta trench coat for €370, worn with a floral skirt, €145 and shoes, €180.
revamp neededDebenhams released a profit warning last week, and came in for a strong attack from Drapers Weekly, which complained of "shabby stores and poor editing", while acknowledging that some improvements had been made in menswear. It gave full marks to Betty Jackson's Black Collection and to Jasper Conran's womenswear. But Butterfly by Matthew Williamson was panned for "out-of-step boho embellishments", and so was John Rocha's range "which has lost focus". The magazine concluded that Debenhams "needs to put its foot on the gas . . . for a broad sweep of in-store redesigns." Although there are some terrific items, its Jervis Street outlet in Dublin would benefit from a revamp.
following suitOn her return to Dublin from Sydney, banker Susan Daly found that there wasn't a shop in the city dedicated to the kind of tailored style she liked. So she decided to change career and open her own shop. Pitt & Bond (named after the two streets in Sydney where she worked) opened on March 16th in the Westbury Mall with a well-chosen mix of European and Australian brands. French brands such as Patrick Gerard, Tara Jarmon and Facconable are already well-known here, while Villa Gallo, from Spain, scores with its colour and fine detailing. Strenesse has won awards for business fashion, and Daks (pictured) have collaborated with Giles Deacon, the hip British designer who reckons that businesswomen are ignored by designers. Daly is proud of introducing the sophisticated Farage label, from Australia, along with Yasmin Velloza, a young Irish brand. The shop also stocks Egyptian cotton shirts, wrap and shirtdresses, fine knits and accessories. Pitt & Bond, Westbury Mall, 01-6728976.
girly gearMonsoon's latest collection for little girls is one of its best. There's a cute little patchwork top worn with pink bloomers, a black and white polka-dot halterneck, and a sweet little crochet cardigan worn with a salsa spot dress. Still on the subject of little girls, Petit's new collection shows that when it comes to Holy Communion wear, the Italians do it with panache. Apart from conventional white frocks, there are little luxurious T-shirts edged with ribbon, frills and organza that elevate an everyday item into something special. We liked the lurex linen cropped trousers worn with a spotted organdie tunic edged with satin. Petit's lovely shop is at 234 Merrion Road, Dublin 4, opposite the entrance to St Vincent's Private in Elm Park.