Compiled by DEIRDRE McQUILLAN

Va va voom

Miuccia Prada, with her latest focus on women and cars, set off a trend that has gathered speed this season. Louise Kennedy's latest collection draws inspiration from 1950s soft-top convertibles, in tune with her ladylike aesthetic and well mannered designs. Her fabrics are top class; a fresh little daffodil yellow dress (left, €1,195) is made in lace sourced from the same French house that supplied the bride's fabric for the British royal wedding last April. And the pastel metallic tweeds used in a number of stylish suits is Linton, a favourite of Chanel. These and other items from the new collection were photographed in the Corinthia Hotel in London's Whitehall. See louisekennedy.com

Boutique of the week: Elaine Curtis

Elaine Curtis in Carlow celebrated her shop’s 10th anniversary last September. A month later, she launched her online shopping site which has been steadily gathering momentum: “We actually sold a Danish pair of shoes to a Danish customer,” she says.

Based in the Potato Market in Carlow, “bang in the centre of town”, she is the only small boutique selling Diane von Furstenberg and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel clothes and accessories in Ireland. Those designers head up her stable of Belgian, Scandinavian and French brands, many of which, like Just in Case and Sandrina Fasoli, have a strong following.

"Our market is driven by religious occasions, weddings, communions and other events," she says, adding that the shop has a reputation for both daywear and occasion dressing. See elainecurtis.ie

Dare to bare

The Greeks may have their economic woes, but it hasn't stopped them buying bikinis, according to Jonathan McKeever of clickini.com, the Irish online swimwear boutique run from Taylor's Hill in Galway. Sales for his stylish two-pieces and accessories from designers such as Jil Sander, Balmain, Chloé, Nina Ricci, Melissa Odabash and others have been increasing in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Far East, though orders from Ireland, US and Portugal are down. McKeever will be launching a pop-up boutique in Berlin from May 1st-19th, and plans are afoot to have "one-piece wonders" on site soon. This two-piece is the "Dalia" model by Roksanda Ilincic and it costs €340.