Deirdre McQuillan's style file
MILITARY MOMENT Bring on the brass bands; fashion is having a serious fling with regimental regalia at the moment. Silver buttons, frogging and epaulettes are the key decorative details of the moment. Cossack-style military great coats and bellboy jackets can be found in everything from red Melton (at Penneys) to midnight blue velvet (at River Island). Marc Jacobs started the vogue some seasons ago with oversize buttons that immediately became his trademark, and an easily copied style statement. A set of small silver or brass buttons will transform last year's coat or jacket into this season's hot item. However, a mere €45 will purchase this well-buttoned, sleek, black coat from Penneys; a short, white, bandbox jacket, similarly decorated and dishy with jeans, is €15.
HATS OFF Holly O'Hara makes wacky yet very modish hats. At the University of Ulster, O'Hara specialised in millinery, and worked with Stephen Jones in London before branching out on her own, setting up a base in Glasgow, where she now teaches part-time, as well as designing for the theatre. Many of her creations have a pert, quirky, 1940s edge, and are designed to perch at an angle on the crown, while others are more fanciful. She draws her influences from both couture and cuisine. Her current collection, with cut out felt and corduroy details, can be viewed on her website at www.hollyoharamillinery.com.
OFF TO MARKET The Cow's Lane Market in Dublin's Temple Bar, with its collection of fashion and accessories stalls, has been the starting point for many young designers. Lingerie maker Caoimhe O'Dwyer, for example, now works with La Perla in Bologna and Chupi Sweetman has been commissioned by Top Shop to produce a range for their new shop which opens in St Stephen's Green in November. The designers at the market include Heather Finn, whose stripey, glitter knits have a dedicated following, and Dee Collier, who created these little shrugs for Oshun and who also knits and crochets scarves and funky hats. Look out also for Dancing Dragon wooden bracelets (€8), butterfly hairclips from Chile and the lovely carnelian and fused glass necklaces from Uccelli. Great for a mooch on Saturdays, between 10am and 5.30pm.
BEST FOOT FORWARD Gordon D'Arcy, the 26-year-old Irish rugby international, is to be the new face of Magee of Donegal, in a new marketing initiative for the company. "We are convinced this partnership will prove to be extremely successful," says Lynn Temple, chairman of Magee. The two-year agreement with D'Arcy, who made his international debut at the age of 19, against Romania in the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Dublin, was announced at the unveiling of the new autumn/winter clothing range. The collection includes modern classic suiting, as well as more familiar casual separates. Here he wears a two-button pinstripe suit with slant side pockets in pure wool (€340). Magee is taking to the field in other ways too; is has become the official formal-wear sponsor for Munster rugby, due to kick off at the end of the month.