Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery. But in Dublin last night, British designer Karen Millen showed this is also how she offers women the chance to dress in high-fashion style for considerably less than expensive labels such as Dolce & Gabbana or Gucci.
Millen's charity fashion show at the Four Seasons Hotel also proved that her chain of some 70 stores doesn't just stock straightforward designer knock-offs: hers is a style inspired by what's in vogue but remains unmistakeably Karen Millen.
That said, there is no particular Karen Millen style. The tailored suit with wide lapels is a constant but the show was divided into several very different themes, such as Punk (tight black trousers with lace-up sides), Bollywood (heavily beaded patchwork skirts), Brights (Pucci-esque halter-neck dresses) and Oriental (boned satin dresses with delicate flower prints).
Perhaps most impressive was the closing selection of black dresses, which ranged from 80s-style jersey to satin-bodiced numbers. More successful than the Marbella-style casual wear were Millen's classic trouser-suits in muted shades and Prada-like cream lightweight dresses with dark polka dots.
By the end of the show it was clear that what's great about Karen Millen is that she covers it all - suiting for work, trendy party clothes for the young, sophisticated evening dresses for thirtysomethings, and all at a higher quality than most other high-street chains.
And although these are clothes many other women will own, lots of pieces had a surprising level of detail, such as a soft cream corset with antique-like additions.