Abstract florals and chic tailoring take centre stage as Brown Thomas launch new season collections

The fashion pack headed to Dublin's docklands today where models walked a sun-drenched catwalk, presenting 100 looks on the 15th floor of Exo building on North Wall.

Dries Van Noten opened the show with a striking long length trench with long lapels and matching trousers. His skirt hemlines were slit front or curved tulip cut and and he was influenced by block striped rugby shirts.

Oscar de la Renta's long white dress with grandfather collar and a Lily of the Valley print down the front and Roksanda's 3D unfurling white rose dress captured the purity and appeal of white this season.

Shelly Corkery, Brown Thomas Fashion Buying Director, referenced the overriding trends such as the throw back to the 90's, a focus on elevated materials, clean lines and pointed to "getting the balance right between modernity and functionality."

This season sees particular interest in the Alexander McQueen collection because it is the last one designed by Sarah Burton who departs the iconic brand after 13 years at the helm and has been replaced by Dublin-born Sean McGirr.

London-Irish designer Richard Quinn provided lots of drama with graphic florals. There were worn short with ostrich feathers standing proud from the body, full skirted and flirty to the dramatic showstopper evening gown with train. Richard posseses the canny ability to dress a young woman, her mother and the granny. Truly a man for all ages.

Victoria Beckham displayed her singular genius with fluid, feminine lines in black and cream and Prada closed the show with leathers she calls collector's pieces, hand crafted with vintage skins.

Short lengths have dominated the runways and Miuccia Prada and Raff Simmons excelled with their pretty short shorts paired with print blouses.

Versace surprised with a demure, short white double breasted coat which was very Jackie Kennedy and 60's influenced mini dress but the house's iconic bodycon temptress was also in the mix too.

The long and the short of the new season trends sees shorts turn up in various guises and they prove particularly handy given the amount of sheer, diaphanous skirts and dresses which are in vogue and Courrèges, the iconic French brand from the 1960s is one of seven new labels in the Irish store this season.

Highlights of yesterday's SS'24 collections show included Dior ladylike dresses in soothing florals and blue butterfly print and also an Erdem two piece, bodice top and panelled long skirt in cream linen with raw edges and black embellishment.

Dolce &Gabbana oscillated between between black chiffon dress worthy of a black tie dinner to uber sexy, see through lace.

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen's brand, The Row, delivered exquisite tailoring and their looks included a sharp black trouser suit with ivory blouse and oversized black coat with exaggerated shoulders.