"We felt we were too old and that older customers were looking for something younger. We needed to move forward," said Marion O'Gorman of the Kilkenny Shop at the launch of its winter collections yesterday in Dublin. Deirdre McQuillan, Fashion Editor, reports.
There's a new coolness and modernity not only in the shop, which has been stylishly revamped, but also in a more adventurous buying policy. The clothes, a combination of Irish and unfamiliar European brands, bridge a gap between the high street and upmarket international designer labels. "We wanted something different," said Michelle O'Gorman, of the new buying team.
The results are impressive. This was a show in which names and labels didn't matter as much as the quality and design edge of the clothes.
Current trends were well illustrated from high-waisted trousers and demobbed military jackets to stylish parkas and glamorous scooped neck coats, all making for an enticing line-up of sleek urban wear.
In fact, the selection of coats and jackets was one of the strengths of the show with labels such as Zapa from France and Eva Kayan from Spain introduced to Ireland for the first time.
Irish designers including Quin & Donnelly and Aideen Bodkin were well represented and the shop not only stocks Orla Kiely bags, but also her clothes, including her cute new lampshade print silk tunics.
For evening, metallic gold crinkle dresses, ruffle front organdies and beaded black chiffon numbers were elegant and appealing. Bags and jewellery have been similarly sourced from hitherto unexplored designers such as the jewelled bags of Vittadini from the US. Along with its invigorated new stock, Kilkenny is to open two more shops in Ireland.
