CLOTHES LINES "I know what's under the bonnet", says Louis Copeland with a grin and he doesn't mean cars. He's talking about Canali suits which he was the first to introduce to Ireland and which, he argues, are the best value in town, citing all sorts of telling details.

At €900-€1,000, they are twice the price of his own-brand suits, but he is now making jackets to order at a fraction of the price of a Canali jacket. These are customised for clients. The service takes about four weeks, costs around €250-€350, and suits fussy dressers or those who don’t fit conventional sizes.

FLYING THE FLAG

A lot of testosterone may have surrounded the opening of the Abercrombie Fitch store in Dublin last week, but alongside it the new Dubarry flagship had already opened its great wooden doors, quietly celebrating its 75th birthday. The brand, which now includes clothing and other accessories, has become well established internationally. Everything is designed in Ballinasloe by a five-strong design team. Manager of the new shop is Becky Gray, an NCAD fashion graduate.

BABY LOVE

Gifts for newborns can be those kept and treasured or those that are forgotten or discarded. When Karen McGinley's children were born she received some beautiful cashmere blankets which she passed on to her grown up children. She has set up a company called Leanai, making heirloom baby and children's knits in the softest of cream, pink and pale blue cashmere, in traditional styles. The range consists of blankets, hats, cardigans, leggings, pram suits, snoods, mitts and bootees, at prices from €35 to €180. They come in keepsake boxes and can be ordered from leanailittleknitwear.ie.