Flippery and frivolity, design in the round, and in the trenches

Artful abandon

Feathers and frippery might sound like the ultimate in frivolity, but with her new spring collection Miucca Prada said that she wanted “to take care of the present and find elegance”.

To this end, she scattered ostrich and marabou all over the clothes, on sleeves, on necklines, slashed down tweed or slit skirts, and decorative features that spread right down to the footwear.

Colours and patterns were fresh, quirky but artful, and in her inimitable way she could mix a graphic blue and white print trouser suit with a kimono-style jacket trimmed with black feathers and touted with red and white sandals. Not an easy one to copy. DMcQ

Wear It

Squirrel Versus Magpie is a brand new Irish ethical and sustainable womenswear brand. The first collection contains some beautiful hand-drawings on pieces such as this Margo bodysuit for €140. DMcM

Childrenswear all rounder

Vaida Rasciute is a Dublin-based Lithuanian textile designer and mother of three children, the third of which, Liepa, inspired UPA, her new childrenswear brand which won the textile design category at the recent IDI awards.

Rasciute designed every element of UPA, from the clothes themselves to the logo and website, and was also responsible for the playful, creative styling. Most of the clothes are in plant-dyed silk and linen in earthy tones. Some are handpainted while others are embroidered. Delicate details perhaps, but alongside the fairytale dresses and cobwebby knits are shaggy waistcoats, fur vests, woolly dresses and scarves. See upa.ie. DMcQ

Style secret

"A key style tip I've learned over the past few years would be not to take fashion too seriously. I always like to style simple pieces with fun accessories and patterns to add my own twist and personality." Niamh Doherty, digital fashion co-ordinator. DMcM

Active apparel

If, like many, you hate the colours used in a lot of fitness clothes, this ensemble from River Island (crop top €40, leggings €35) is an affordable alternative. In black, grey, navy and purple, it draws on camouflage and oriental patterns in new ways and features deep waistbands (always a help), double layers and added support. There is also a slick 14-piece collection for men, with digitally printed microfibre T-shirts and vests in the same sombre colour palette with shots of acid yellow and blue. DMcQ

Steal vs splurge

The Kensington long cotton gaberdine trench (€1,795 from Burberry) is a classic for a reason, but this trench (on sale while stocks last for €109 from whistles.com) is a great alternative. DMcM