The Gresham Hotel and Arnotts department store, two of Dublin's best known landmarks, joined forces for a fashion show in aid of Cerebral Palsy Ireland (CPI). Though long established, both have recently undergone substantial facelifts.
The Gresham, where the show was held, has added 100 new bedrooms in what is called the Lavery Wing, where luxury reigns, a new restaurant and an additional car-park. But it still keeps all the good old traditions going.
Arnotts has been even busier, and the shop in Henry Street would baffle anybody who had not been there for a while.
One of the many additions is a highly fashionable part called Impulse where party-goers will head in search of a sexy number. But here again the store has kept intact all the old favourites.
The show was a quick, effective reminder that this is where the smart number is stocked. Long jackets (£159.95 by Gerry Weber) are usually worn with a long skirt, but slim trousers are almost as popular, and either way the look is clean cut in a dark grey, black or aubergine. Much the same prevails for evening where an update on the tuxedo is still around, and looking good. Variations come in damask, brocade and velvet (around £150 for a jacket, about £90 for trousers). It is classic dressing, easy to wear and always attractive.
The Impulse collection is more fun, younger and in clingy fabrics like Lycra jersey and slithery satins. It is very figure-fitting stuff, though jackets give some comfort. Dresses, with a touch of embroidery, are around £60, and a silver embroidered jacket, by Fransa, is a modest enough £99. But here, too, the tuxedo gets a look in with French Connection doing it in black with satin trim and a glitter top.
There is much burnished gold, copper and silver around, always good for evening wear. Some of the best numbers are ankle-length dresses in velvet, either straight or bias cut, with shoe-string straps. Under the August Silk label, there is a sumptuous one for just under £200. But it would certainly help to put the party into spin.