Deirdre McQuillan's style file
DRESS THE PART As outdoor and "spirit" sports increase in popularity in Ireland, so do outlets selling street and action fashion. A new outdoor store, one of the largest in Ireland, has just opened in The Park in Carrickmines. 53 Degrees North is a 1,115 sq m (12,000 sq ft) specialist store stocking clothing, footwear and accessories for travel, trekking, walking, skiing, snowboarding, sailing and surfing. Names such as Roxy, Quiksilver, Oxbow and Oakley are already familiar, while others such as Musto, (as worn by round-the-world sailor Ellen MacArthur, pictured above), Helly Hansen and The North Face are long established outdoor sports brands. Each leisure activity has its own area, rather like those big French retail park stores, and for those who like exploring off the beaten track, there are all sorts of GPS tracking systems on offer. There is free parking and a coffee area.
STELLA PERFORMANCE Fashion buffs should mark Thursday, November 10th as affordable Stella McCartney day. That's the date on which H & M will launch her once-off collection in 400 stores in 22 countries worldwide. The move follows the success of H & M's collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld. The McCartney collection will consist of 30 pieces, a mix of daywear, tailored classics, evening, lingerie and accessories. Look out for signature items such as narrow denim jeans with ankle zip, oversized slouchy sweaters, silk embellished cami tops, sharp tailored suits and even a belted mac. What's missing is, of course, Kate Moss, who was photographed by Mario Sorrenti for the print and outdoor advertising campaign planned for Europe and North America.
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French Connection purple jumper dress, €100.
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