Design Centre was founded over 20 years ago. It became a forum for up and coming and established designers to showcase their clothing. The concept proved a great success and the shop became a must-visit in Dublin.

The Design Centre has undergone a few changes over the years to bring Dublin the finest fashion from Irish designers and international fashion houses.

Chandeliers, crystals embellishing boudoir-style furnishings, lavish wallpaper, and a white leather day bed - this is the new look Design Centre. But it fits better as the new look of the Design Centre boutique in Dublin.

This bright, airy space is reminiscent of a Paris fashion boutique and, according to Design Centre owner Aishling Kilduff, it puts her store on the map as one of Dublin’s leading fashion boutiques.

In addition, Kilduff is stocking her new-look store with a range of new labels.

Kilduff says shopping habits have undergone a dramatic change in Ireland and that the new boutique caters for that change. “A lot of people are doing item buying - where they just want one or two things and not the whole look. That wasn’t the case before.

“Also, people are more willing to experiment. They are willing to let us put a look together for them. The other thing is that price is important to people now. If they buy one designer item, they also want to be able to pickup something for around €100 in the same shop.”

The Design Centre stocks an impressive list of designers: hats by Philip Treacy, bags and shoes by Matthew Williamson and clothes from Jenny Packham, Louise Kennedy, Julian McDonald, Annet Rostel and Man Wing.

The store is also unusual in that it bridges the age gap between older and younger shoppers. Kilduff says she has seen a marked increase in younger customers since she began stocking many of the top brands of jeans, but puts the longevity of the business down to a consistent and loyal customer base.

“We try and shop for all ages and are conscious of keeping a mix of Irish designers and the other labels. Our clients have helped make the Design Centre a success, and made it possible to make this move in our business.”

“For me opening the door of this space is like a whole new shop, a whole new job. I would like to maintain a good customer base and bring in new people.

“I would love to say we will eventually plan to open more Design Centres, but for the moment, we have our hands full concentrating on just this one,” says Kilduff.

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