SLUB silks, pure linen, embossed luxurious cottons, wispy georgettes, stunning brocades, in colours galore. These were chosca by Pat Crowley for her spring collection, which she is taking to the US next week.
"We are making a big thing of dresses and jackets, or dresses with matching coats," she says, because these are not only the height of fashion but fit the needs of those on the move and in conspicuous places.
She handles it well, building on a simple idea such as the street dress and giving it a versatile life. It features in linen, from Spence Bryson of Northern Ireland, in natural coloured slub silk, in fine chevron wool with side fastening, in crepe and in cotton. It comes with long, fitted jackets, or easy, slip on coats - the answer to a long day out or a journey that demands some sense of style.
The collection is mostly in good strong colours. But black does turn up throughout, and there is no arguing that black trousers, worn with a short sleeved linen top in black and white check, is going to be right up with the winners.
Relaxing is done in fabulous silk pyjamas and loose tops unless, of course, there is a call for full evening dress. There still is a need for these, according to Pat Crowley, who uses swishy silk georgette, patterned in blue and green, floating dresses for the lucky who dance till dawn.
Designing for specific needs, mostly of the rather smart and sociable kind, involving lots of travel, Pat Crowley is producing versatile clothes for very specific kinds of people. Some people have all the luck.
Jackets cost about £395, skirts £225 and dresses £395. Some of the fabrics cost £150 a metre.