Shape of things to come at FashionWeek

FASHION may be a cut-throat business but the offerings from some of Ireland’s hottest designers show a definite soft side.

Collections on show at the Motorola Dublin Fashion Week for spring and summer 2008 are all about soft shapes with floaty and flowing fabrics in gentle shades of creams, greens and blues.

Silks, satins and chiffons abound and waists and necklines are delicately outlined with lightly draped scarves, loose ribbons and billowing bows in ensembles that are feminine without fussiness. Even knitwear has a feather-light touch to it and the theme extends to footwear too with the angular pointed toe being given the boot in favour of rounded styles with generous heels.