LAST NIGHT’S showcasing in their Grafton Street restaurant of Marks Spencer’s spring/summer collections displayed their broad appeal and affordable prices.
More than 50 outfits styled by Catherine Condell were served up in nine self-explanatory “scenes” with headings like Think Pink, Modernist and Sports Luxe drawn from their various ranges including Portfolio, Indigo and the revamped Per Una.
Guests were invited to comment on the show on Twitter and Facebook, a spokesperson for M & S claiming they had 7,500 Irish Facebook fans.
Notable this season were many variations on the summer trench in everything from pink nylon, blue denim or metallic grey to the conventional beige from Autograph, at €95 the most expensive item on the line-up.
Likewise parkas, occasionally worn slung around the hips, came in khaki, navy or in a convincing leather look-alike fabric. Cargo pants, crisp white linen Capris, shorts or tribal print skirts were cool and summery.
Following current catwalk trends, the vogue for softer structures was evident everywhere from slouchy knitwear and draped, striped jersey dresses to pretty beaded tunics and tangerine silk dresses.
Many jackets were tailored like schoolboy blazers in striped jersey or in graphic black and white from Per Una that referenced Givenchy’s monochrome jackets of the season. Accessories such as Lurex trilbys or strappy cone heeled shoes with socks offset the urban, utilitarian look. Knits were strong in all sections and Sports Luxe with its racer-back bras, puffa jackets and ruched leggings was as much about daywear as real working sportswear.
Some of the more radical pieces like an embellished military jacket and a zany digital print dress that featured in their November press presentation were missing – they are due later in the season.