Spring has sprung, according to Kilkenny, which launched its fresh, new collections yesterday. And fresh they certainly were, both in colour and design.
It was a story of delicate pinks, blues and silver greys balanced by the stronger tones of cerise, turquoise, crushed raspberry and indigo blue. Indigo has replaced the more traditional navy of spring, and it is interesting to see denim being used in many ways other than in the usual jeans.
Most trousers are those cut-offs known as Capri, and very dashing they are in white linen teamed with a wispy twin-set bound in satin or organza (see Marilyn Moore's delectable collection in finest wool).
Or there are the fragile Pleissi pleated twosomes by Aideen Bodkin of long skirts and ruched tops.
Most plain fabrics are given surface interest with pleating, tucking, ruching or applique work, and it looks very good.
Allicano, however, insets her plain lilac linens of bias skirts and sleeveless tops with bands of sequins.
Lainey Keogh is also into pinks, blues and ruching for long, meltingly-soft tops, for which the mundane word sweater seems highly inappropriate (£500 plus).
Louise Kennedy has the most beautifully-tailored shift dresses and matching edge-to-edge coats in the new soft colours, but also in terribly smart black at £385 for a coat.
Kilkenny is leading the way into a bright, fresh future with some neat, almost 1940 shapes, ladylike lengths and flattering colours.