Biggest trend of the Impulse fashion show at Arnotts? "Denim" said buyer Mari Roche. Denim - whether ripped, paint-splattered or bleached - was an element in many of the looks shown.
A denim skirt by Diesel had a winged panel at the back and was splattered with white dye. Naf Naf's cord jacket came with denim pockets and sleeve trim.
Most striking was how well the labels at Arnotts translate designer fashion into accessible - and saleable - clothing. Almost everything shown could be traced to clothes shown in Paris or New York last February.
The best included Diesel's version of Balenciaga's biker look - a grey ruched sleeve zip jacket and very slim trousers. Morgan seemed inspired by Veronique Branquinho - a black silk mix off-the-shoulder top with loose, triangular sleeves. A multicolour Firetrap sweater could pass as Missioni (well, almost) and a black Guess quilted coat for Miu Miu.
One of the most popular items at high price level is YSL's €900 black poet sleeve blouse (flared from elbow) and there are plenty of reasonable versions at Arnotts for about a tenth of the price. The best are from Morgan.
Although these clothes are not as well finished as designerwear, they are well made and affordable enough for young women to get trendy.
The show covered two of the new season's most popular looks: bohemian and gothic. The main pieces for bohemian dressers might be sheepskin coats with thick fake fur trim by Miss Sixty and DKNY; a patchwork knit coat in red, purple, and brown from Hooch Femme; and a wraparound three-quarter length brown cardigan from Morgan.
Other looks included an Avengers suede coat dress from Diesel, a black 1920s day dress from Mango, and trousersuits from French Connection.