Richard Lewis staged his spring-summer collection last night in the grandeur of 10 Ormond Quay, a historic house originally built for the La Touche banking family. The event had a particular poignancy because the venue had been chosen by Lewis's long-time partner, Jim Greeley, before his sudden death in Dublin last December.
"Ribbed wool like grosgrain from the Fifties; superfine silk jersey in jewel colours - the Thirties; and long fur-like knitted throws worn with opera coats - very belle époque.
"He always understood what I needed," said Lewis recalling Greeley's last fabric-buying trip in Paris.
The collection featured the designer's signature combination of textured daywear and long silk jersey evening gowns cinched with quilted cummerbunds in colours from brick, black and navy to scarlet, violet and peacock blue.
New this season were skinny, handmade cable knits worn with full silk skirts and long knitted throws enveloping the shoulders like furs, the work of a knitting group in Finglas.
