Among the guests at the show were: 1. Amy Richards and Laura MacNaughton; 2. Jilly and Amy Hamilton; 3. Avril McHugh and Grainne Barron.
A|wear officially launched their eagerly anticipated 3rd collection with Irish designer Peter O'Brien on Monday. Only 120 guests were invited for 'Fashion & Cakes' at Fallon & Byrne. Therestaurant was modelled for the day, on an old world Parisian style tea salon. Guests were served tea by uniformed waiting staff, all of whose ties & bows matched the lining in Peter's amazing coats. As they previewed the collection worn by some of Ireland's top models, they were treated to scrumptious mini raspberry tartlets and pink macaroons displayed on silver tiered cake stands.
Many of Dublin's most glamorous and chic ladies eagerly turned out to have tea together and be the first to shop Peter's third collection. A glowing Ruth Griffin almost stole the show as the turned up as a guest and not a model on the day. Tona O'Brien and her beautiful daughter Aphria. Karen Reihill flew in from London to support her long time friend Peter O'Brien. A big Peter O'Brien fan Karen bought almost one of everything in the collection and looked divine in a pencil dress. She was accompanied by Annette Rocca, another big fan of Peter O'Brien. Annette looking tres chic in high waisted trousers and a sheer blouse.
Renowned Irish actress Ingrid Craigie, TV personalities Cathy O'Connor, Sybil Mulcahy, Sonia Reynolds and style guru Sinead Keenan also attended. Grainne Seoige and her sister Sile couldn't make the show due to filming commitments so popped into the pop-up boutique which hosted mini fashion shows throughout the evening. Enjoying fashion and tea also were Eva and Barbara Durkan, beautiful sisters Jilly and Amy Hamilton, Vivienne Doyle, Emmanuelle Fitzsimons, Caroline Reynolds, authoress Claudia Carroll, Aisling Purcell, Shelly Corkery, Designer Leah Tucker, Richard Lewis, Fashion editor of Image Sive O'Brien and Dolores Delaney.
Another key part in the Peter O'Brien for A|wear success story is the price. Only 20 styles in total have been produced, with white shirts starting at EUR60, cashmere knitwear EUR120, 100% silk dresses EUR160 and the renowned PO'B coats EUR250. Elegant and beautifully feminine, the coats and jackets are lined with pinstriped and cute polka dot lining. The black coat with waisted bustle detail is set to be the star of this year's collection. Peter's cashmere colour palette has been updated to include soft duck egg blue as well as warm taupe. Two styles of white shirt which usually sell out within the first week feature again, along with classic high waisted trousers and a full detail skirt, both with side button detailing.
Speaking on the collection, Peter O'Brien said, "Style should be effortless, easy & feminine. That is what I try to achieve with my designs. My favorite piece from this collection would be the pea coat, a short fitted coat with side button detailing, really easy to wear and a style that suits any age or shape. The dress collection this year is also full of beautiful fabrics such as jersey, silk and wool...perfect for any occasion day or night and designed to make the wearer not only look her best but always feel her best".
