SOME 300 women flocked to see the launch of Ian Galvin's first collection at The Georgian Room, in the Powerscourt Town Centre, Dublin.
The 200 pieces that make up the collection are close copies of the clothes that have sold well over recent decades. Galvin knows about the popular trends, having been one of Brown Thomas's main fashion buyers for 10 years.
Not only are these Italian made clothes the best of their period, they are selling at wholesale prices, a happy once off not likely to be repeated as the newly fledged interpreter gets established.
This is just the first stage of what may become a long term triumph. Galvin is never short of inspired ideas. Certainly the clothes, mainly suits and coats, are top quality, whether in the most dramatic black and white or in bright pastels, usually used only for 1950s retro.
One very effective short, belted, cotton pique coat in a swirly animal print jumped out as one of those garments useful to cause a stir and deep envy, long coats tend to be narrow with beautiful buttons - almost everything has marvellously decorative buttons.
This collection is glamorous and smart with a high degree of sophistication. Prices start at £350 and rarely exceed £550.
The money might be spent on a classic white shirt, wider black fine wool trousers and a matching ankle length black coat. The coat is £550, the trousers £150. Comparable clothes by well known makers would be double that.
The 1950s is one of the most popular decades, according to Galvin, who has a great line up of colourful wool and silk suits; short jackets and skirts (£350), and a very dressy one in scarlet silk (£595), marvellously effective in that effortless way which means everything is spot on.
When the 200 pieces are sold, and they will only be in the Powerscourt Centre for the next eight days, the I.G. spring collection will be over.
However, this is no once off spree as Ian Galvin - he doesn't call himself a designer but an interpreter - plans a similar autumn collection.