It has been four years since Dunnes Stores had a fashion show, but yesterday in the cool, glass-fronted new service restaurant on the top floor of its remodelled Henry Street flagship, it broke its silence with a small but well chosen selection from its autumn/winter collections.
"We are dropping 'Stores'," Michael Heffernan of Dunnes said, explaining that from now on all Dunnes shops will be called simply "Dunnes" as part of an extensive nationwide revamp.
Twelve new shops will open next year, with a further 30 scheduled for 2009. A major overhaul of the original Patrick Street premises in Cork is due for completion that year. The expansion continues apace. "We have five shops in Spain which has been fantastic for us, both with expats and locals," said Mr Heffernan.
"Hollywood Glamour Meets Contemporary Style" was the theme of the show, which concentrated on some of the season's current trends such as tunics, glitter tweeds, crop jackets and shift dresses. An elegant black coat for €100 with jewelled cinched waist and three-quarter sleeves was right up to the minute, as was a chic grey cable tunic (€35). Black skinny jeans, still a street favourite, were €25, as was a graphic print dress for €40.
What was noticeable about the show was the standard of finish on the little black dresses, of which there were at least half a dozen varieties - from a simple V-neck waisted silk dress (which also came in teal) to a dainty black pleated chiffon number with waterfall sleeves.
A simple but flattering item was a jewelled grey silk tunic that could be worn on its own or with jeans. It was all very demure, low key and ladylike with a few items showing a raunchier, glitzier side, like a leopard print satin dress and a tight gold and black sequin shift.
Most evening wear was from the design range Savida.