Nicky's Rag Tales

There is usually a great disconnect between what is shown by designers and at high-end stores like HN and the rest of the fashion world. Not today as a selected audience arrived at HN in Dundrum to see and hear Paula Reed. Paula (ex Grazia magazine fashion editor) took up the position of Group Fashion Director for Harvey Nichols last September and was in Dublin today to present Spring Summer 2013. It was refreshing and interesting to listen to what Paula said as the models were presented today. Usually at these events all eyes are on the catwalk and there is less emphasis on what is said, but today there was rapt attention while Paula spoke words full of fashion insight and commercial nous.

Paula Reed

Her description of the peplum dress which she vowed was’ not going anywhere yet’ as a shape shifter was one I particularly liked. She mentioned that it is harder and harder in Ireland to sell a simple but well cut black dress and that colour was now de rigueur, that women were prepared to spend mostly on special occasion wear and that they were now dressing for their silhouette and less for a particular trend. This applies particularly to denim which has had a resurgence, especially in the prints, but that the days of the in-shape are well and truly gone. Wear what suits you seemed to be the mantra of the day, which in my book is oh so welcome.

It was great to see Irish Designers Susannagh Grogan whose beautiful silk scarves are now in HN and Paula Rowan whose sublime gloves are also in store. Irish label Fee g is well represented and HN decision to bring local designers into their regional stores is, I think, a very good move in line with my own personal ethos of supporting Irish fashion.

FeeG

Vivienne Westwood

Susannagh Grogan and Paula Rowan at Harvey Nichols 31/01/2013