Clothes lines

Compiled by DEIRDRE McQUILLAN

At the recent RDS panel discussion about the future of Irish fashion, Dermott Rowan of Orla Kiely stressed the importance of the internet for up-and-coming designers. Now Dave Smyth of Greenlight, a Dublin-based communications company specialising in maximising the business potential of the internet, is offering to put together a specific package for those in the Irish fashion industry, on an individual basis, and then talk to Government and private agencies to help develop an overall strategy for the industry. For further information, contact dave@greenlight.ie

Heaven sent collection

There are 86 different types of jeans made by MIH (Made in Heaven), the London brand first established as the Jean Machine in 1969, which is now being revamped by the goddaughter of the founders. The more popular mid-rise styles are named after cities such as Monaco (kick flare), Paris (cropped, slim leg) or Milan (column leg), and its range of clothing to match the jeans is slowly expanding, season by season. The latest spring collection, called the Portobello, references the 1970s, but in modern fabrics, some specially made for them. There's a pretty blue silk print blouse, a transitional piece that fits both winter and spring, Breton striped jersey tunics, dungarees, a cute white cotton lace blouse and a striking multi-stripe "Aztec" jacket (below). Everything can be bought online at mih-jeans.com, and BT2 has a selection of the jeans.

Easy to wear wedges

The newest shoe shapes are called flatforms, and are midway between flats and platforms, like this little red suede number from Office. It’s called a Weave Me Up wedge and is now in stock, selling for ¤80. There’s also a royal blue suede wedge called a Wassup for €95 for those in need of more of an uplift.