“THE MOOD of customers has lifted and so have the colours for spring. Consumer confidence has come back,” said general manager Jean Ann Taylor at House of Fraser’s spring-summer fashion show in Dublin yesterday.
The lighter, girlish mood showed in the selection of clothes and in the ultra-short skirt lengths aimed at the very young and supple of limb.
Styled by Paula Hughes, from brands such as Top Shop, Lipsy and Whistles, with Alice in Wonderlandin mind, the soft flyaway fabrics like lacey vests and skirts, floral print shorts and silky playsuits were worn with crimped hair, high blocky shoes and rabbit-themed jewellery. Who for such dainties would not stoop?
The show also debuted popular footwear brand Pied a Terre’s first womenswear collection exclusive to House of Fraser stores and also launching online. In silk, cotton and chiffon, the neat pintucking, tiny covered buttons and beading details betrayed its Chinese manufacture and made for some pretty blouses and one lovely dove-grey dress. But the multicoloured shifts seemed garish rather than flattering.
The rest of the show concentrated on seasonal favourites like leopard print skirts and tops from Gerard Darel and Miss Selfridge with African batik prints from Oasis.
Other grown-up items included navy harem pants and silk blazers from Whistles shown with rabbit print T-shirts and Disney jewellery from jeweller Tom Binns.