Desire Lines: With debut collections galore, there's a new energy in the fashion world

Modernised tailoring, silhouettes and statement looks are core trends, with texture, prep, and colour bringing much-needed optimism.

Sat, 21 Feb, 2026 - 01:00

The dress

With a changing of the guard at key global brands, the defining trend for the season ahead is New Beginnings. As her team showcased S/S 2026 looks at an intimate gathering at the Grafton Street store last week, Tracey Despard, head of buying at Brown Thomas, said there is “new energy” in the fashion world, with debut collections seen at Christian Dior, Loewe, Proenza Schouler and Chanel setting new momentum. Modernised tailoring, silhouettes and statement looks are core trends, with texture, prep, and colour bringing much-needed optimism.

Dress, €4,700, Chloé

Ashford Castle limited edition Easter eggs

The egg

Ashford Castle’s limited edition Easter eggs are always extra special. This year’s version celebrates the last Guinness apple tree, planted over a century ago when the Guinness family lived in the castle.

Handmade with Valrhona ‘Legend’ 55% milk chocolate and filled with 29% ‘Legacy’ milk chocolate bark with notes of roasted hazelnut, each is hand-painted with organic apply greens. Available from February 20 from Mrs Tea’s Boutique on the Ashford Estate grounds. Lucky guests staying at Ashford Castle during Easter will be welcomed with an egg in their room on arrival. €75.

ashfordcastle.com

The hair refresh

A recent meeting with Cascata founder Emma King revealed just how passionate the hairstylist and businesswoman is about scalp health. “We all know we exfoliate our skin — so why do we leave out our scalp?” she, fairly, asked us during a treatment. Cascata’s latest launch, the Advanced Scalp Care Detox + Restore Scalp Shampoo, is designed for weekly use, helping to remove build-up and rebalance the scalp microbiome.

If you’re dealing with itchiness, flaking, sensitivity or greasiness soon after washing or a feeling of heaviness at your roots, a detox could be the answer. Formulated with glycolic acid, eucalyptus and citrus oils, it exfoliates, clarifies and soothes in one step. €50.

cascatahair.ie

The supper club

Gastronomic collective, The Gathering Table, is teaming up with Shauna Murphy, senior sous chef of two Michelin-starred Terre in Castlemartyr, for an exciting evening of supper and food chats in Dublin.

Exploring Ireland’s contemporary food scene, an intimate talk by small producers and industry experts will be followed by a gorgeous long table four-course dinner prepared by Murphy, who was Euro-Toques Young Chef of the Year in 2023. With a menu celebrating Ireland’s small food producers, this once-off evening of delicious food and convivial chats awaits,on Sunday, March 1, at As One, Dublin 2, 6-9.30pm. Welcome drink, four-course dinner and one glass of wine or non-alcoholic alternative with each course, €118.95.

homegrounddinner.eventbrite.ie

Eureka Day, a sharp, thought-provoking comedy at The Gate Theatre

The night away

The Croke Park Hotel, part of the family-owned Doyle Collection, has unveiled the latest chapter in its partnership with The Gate Theatre.

Available on Friday and Saturday nights until March 7, A Night at The Gate: Eureka Day package includes an overnight stay for two at the four-star hotel, a three-course pre-theatre dinner in The Sideline restaurant and bar, and tickets to Eureka Day, a sharp, thought-provoking comedy at The Gate Theatre, just a seven-minute taxi away. Prices start from €314.

exa.mn/eureka

'Uncouth' by Moss Russell, Disrupt Disability Festival

The festival

Now in its third year, Disrupt Disability Arts Festival is a must-visit visual, sensory and audio event that celebrates the richness of lived disabled experience through music, art, theatre and more, while actively reshaping our perceptions of disability.

With over 37 festival artists, some highlights this year include a “neurosparkly” play by Moss Russell, a new coming-of-age film by Louise Bruton, ISL Disco with Sarah-Jane O’Regan and the Irish premiere of ‘Mark of A Woman’ by dance artist Chisato Minamimura.

Performances will take place in The Project Arts Centre from March 5 - 7, with some available online. Tickets from €5 - €17 with many including a free companion option. For detailed information on ticket types and each event’s accessibility measures, visitors are encouraged to visit the website.

disruptfestival.ie

Hoodie, €35, Pants, €30, Helen Steele x Dunnes Stores

The comfies

Helen Steele is back with another collection for Dunnes Stores, and our hearts are set on this divine crochet-trimmed corduroy tracksuit. Blending style with comfort, it’s sure to sell-out. Hoodie, €35, Pants, €30.