Feet prints:The revival of Celia Birtwell and her zany prints continues apace. Literally so, for some of her signature designs now feature in Irish-born Olivia Morris's new spring footwear collection on sale in Ireland for the first time.
There are sugary-coloured high heels; flat and heeled black and white graphic prints; a lovely latticed floral and, inevitably, a peep-toe wedge in a brown and white print. Prices from €430 at Brown Thomas.
Special lunch
The fashion designer Miriam Mone, who died last year at the age of 42, will be commemorated on February 18th at a special charity fashion lunch in the State Apartments of Dublin Castle. The pre-lunch reception will be attended by President Mary McAleese, a patron of Armagh-born Mone, who designed her inauguration ensemble in 1997. The event will showcase the Design Centre's spring/summer collections, during which David Norris will host a charity auction. All proceeds will go to ARC Cancer Support Centre in Eccles Street, Dublin, a walk-in centre caring for people with cancer. Miriam Mone and her husband Willie were supporters of ARC and donated many outfits for charity auctions that raised much-needed funds for the centre. Most tickets (at €200 each) have been sold, but for further information about ARC, contact 01-8307333.
New york bound
There's no stopping the successful international career trajectory of Julie Peelo (right, top) and Beatrice McCabe (right), two Irish designers working for John Galliano. The pair, who worked in Italy for Marni before being headhunted to design accessories for Galliano in Paris are now moving to New York, where they will assume responsibilities for the new accessories collection of Diane Von Furstenburg. They left Paris for New York after their final show for Galliano in January and take up their post this month.
Cut-price cashmere
F & F Signature is the name of Tesco's new cashmere sweater range, which is in selected stores around the country, including the Nutgrove Centre in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. At prices from €33 upwards, but not much further, they're a good buy at this time of the year. Styles include roll, cowl and v-necks, tunics and cardigans in colours including red, black, pink, brown and purple, sizes eight to 20. There is also a grey and pink Argyle print, and a selection of men's cashmeres. M & S has also considerably increased its cashmere offering this season, with colours including camel, pale blue and grey cable being universal favourites.