A little bit of spring with some autumn was the theme of yesterday's 38-piece collection from couturier Jen Kelly, shown in his elegant Dublin house and headquarters on North Great George's Street.
It's been two years since he staged a fashion show, always a glamorous occasion in such surroundings, but his enthusiasm for clothes made in the haute couture manner with the best fabrics money can buy remains as undiminished as the demands for such grandeur from his devoted clientele.
The guest list last night included prominent figures such as Celia Larkin, Mary McEvaddy, Siobhán Brady, Sharon Smurfit and Carmel Naughton.
To preserve the high standards of finish in his designs, Kelly recently bought the last company in Ireland which makes buttons by hand.
The show drew inspiration from US couturier Arnold Scassi, who was prominent in the l950s and l960s and who dressed many of the leading movie stars of the time.
Among the signature pieces were a hostess dress in cherry-red satin duchesse, a figured graphic-stripe silk kaftan and a number of lavish velvet opera coats. One dress in green silk with black beaded lace bustier was worn by Moya Doherty at the gala opening of The Pirate Queen in New York.
"Everything caresses the female form: the soft shoulders, the silk dresses cut like a tailored wool dress rather than on the bias," Kelly said.
These slim silk dresses, with flattering front pleat in south sea island or tribal print, were some of the stars of the show. Equally feminine were trim day suits with rounded collars in pale wools or bright apple-green shantung. One in cream was lavishly embellished with black French lace.
