IN THE atmospheric surroundings of 41 St Stephen's Green - now a private club - House of Fraser's autumn/winter fashion show yesterday had a well-mannered ladylike elegance perfectly in tune with the stylishly refurbished interior and the smartly dressed members entertaining their guests in adjoining rooms or on the terrace.
The show, divided into five sections, offered grown-up looks for both the twentysomethings and fortysomethings, with flirty little headscarf-print skirts, silk print wrap dresses and puff-skirted shifts from their own Therapy/Untold Range worn casually with "boyfriend" cardigans.
Tight black trouser suits for office workers by Linea were softened with frilly shirts, while alternatives were sleek block coloured shifts or snowy tweed suits by Episode reminiscent of Chanel. Dresses for day or evening, in silk or tweed, came in mostly shift styles with more elaborate decoration from Irish designers.
A dozen little black dresses closed the show. They included racer-back sequined numbers by Ted Baker and Sand, sheer-wrap styles from Coast and simple little scoop necks belted at the waist from Mango. In all, a classy if conservative show, free of frippery and fuss and at mostly affordable prices.
The company, now privately owned by Icelandic giant Baugur and private investors, and whose chief executive is Irishman John King, is spending over €1.3 million on the revamp of its Dundrum Centre flagship store, relaunching on October 2nd. A new shoe department is to open as well as a new lingerie boutique, along with brands like Mulberry, Armani and DKNY accessories.
"We are also increasing our Irish brands each year," general manager Jean Ann Taylor said, citing names such as Aideen Bodkin, NC Kilkenny, Regine, Helen McAlinden and Irish jewellery label Juvi, all of which are due to open this month in the store.
