Fashionistas miss out as Posh's frocks will not be sold here

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VICTORIA: New designs

Thursday February 19 2009

Irish fashionistas will have to splash out on a shopping trip elsewhere to bag this season's most coveted designer dresses.

Despite grabbing headlines and receiving critical acclaim throughout the fashion world, Victoria Beckham's latest creations won't be going on sale anywhere in Ireland.

The collection is available in Britain and the US but designer store Brown Thomas told the Herald they have no plans to launch the sophisticated line here.

A spokesperson said the high-end chain will "definitely not" be stocking Posh's demure dresses.

Its rival Harvey Nichols in Dundrum Town Centre is not expected to carry the range either, despite stocking Victoria's DVB jeans.

The new catwalk collection, only the second Beckham has put her name to, caused an admirable stir when it was launched at New York Fashion Week.

Eager to make her mark as a serious contender, Victoria is riding high on the critical success of this collection, which has been praised for being fresher and younger.

The glamorous designs range from €950 to €5,490 for red-carpet-style gowns.

The shorter and structured frocks come in a various combinations, from electric-violet shot silk to stretchy black wool with elaborate embroidery at the waist.

There are also elegant, below-the-knee styles, similar to those regularly spotted on the WAG herself, in grey and black cashmere.

Meanwhile, stylistas will be further disappointed to learn that Ireland will also miss out on another catwalk favourite this spring.

The stunning coral strapless cocktail dress, spotted on A-list celebrities including Cheryl Cole, Eva Longoria and Lindsay Lohan, will also not be available.

The sexy Matthew Williamson dress, coveted by Hollywood stars, will not be part of the limited range by the designer on sale here.

Brown Thomas, which stocks the designer, confirmed that buyers had not snapped up the dress to sell to Irish consumers.

Part of the British designer's summer collection, the coral mini-dress is easily identifiable by its colourful embroidered pockets and skinny patent belt.

A close friend of the designer, Girl's Aloud singer Cheryl was the first celebrity to don the dress, on The X Factor last November.

However the €2,000-plus dress only recently went on sale in Williamson's four stores around the globe, including London.