Off the Rails - On Tour

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They're back but this time they're on the move!

Finally spring is here (not that you'd know it today) and it's time for us to update our wardrobes and get rid of those woollies and boots we have been sporting all winter.

Thankfully for us fashionistas Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney were back on our screens last night to show us exactly how it's done. In a reformed Gok Wan-esque style show, they set about livening up the wardrobes of Limerick while updating us on the hottest trends this season. The catwalk is alight with an explosion of colour apparently which is never a bad thing. From glamorous maxi skirts to romantic florals and punk jackets, it looks like we'll need all the help we can get to pull off these looks.

Brendan headed to London Fashion Week armed with a VIP pass and entry to some of the trendiest shows in town. A nervous Simone Rocha (John Rocha's daughter), was representing Ireland with her latest collection. Did anybody else get complete shoe envy when they spotted her footwear? Although her father admits he still gets nervous before a show, it seems Simone was born for the runway. Also flying the flag for Ireland was JW Anderson, a very young designer who is playing around with incorporating rubber into menswear. Amy Huberman is a huge fan of her work and now we are too. Joanne Hynes displayed her range of pieces set to spruce up any outfit. It's good to know that the fashion of Ireland is in safe hands.

Back in Limerick it was time for our favourite part of the show - the makeovers. Sean and Maria are the epitome of an inspirational couple. Not only has Sean lost seven stone and Maria lost eight in the last six months but they also go out running together, how cute is that? Brendan and Sonia decided to surprise the two while out on their daily run. Brendan got to work turning Maria into a glam mam while Sonia turned her attention to adding some colour to Sean's wardrobe and highlighting his weight loss.

It has to be said that some of their choices were questionable but each to their own eh? I can't exactly imagine Sean rolling up to a football match in a pair of red loafers. Brendan got it exactly right with Maria (by sort of dressing her like himself). Both were still dressing as they did before they lost the weight so Brendan brought Maria to view her weight loss on a big screen. This finally opened her eyes to the dramatic change she has made and allowed her to move on.

The big reveal took place in a packed shopping centre but before that Sean and Maria were given a little alone time to take a good look at each other. And what a hot couple they are. Maria was completely speechless (we're hoping for a good reason) when she copped eyes on herself. I think Brendan was more nervous to see her reaction, than she was at seeing what he had done to her. Sean looked very colourful and Parisian and best of all eh oozed confidence. As they took to the catwalk the emotion got the better of them as their friends and family watched on. I have to say their catwalk outfits were fabulous.

Meanwhile in Limerick, there was a shocking amount of impressive fashion going on. However, as Brendan and Sonia explained to us about the different trends, it seemed that nothing was under €500 on display. Can we see a bit more of Pennys and Dunnes please? Every woman was decked out head-to-toe in designer gladrags. Things came back down to earth when Brendan and Sonia were pitted against each other for a fashion challenge. Each stylist had to recreate the full length trend for under €50. I honestly thought Brendan had this in the bag when his model sashayed down the catwalk in a 1970s inspired jumpsuit. Sonia however was the dark horse and her Chanel inspired peaches and cream outfit made her the champion of the fashion face-off. Let's see if Brendan can get his own back next week.

Next week the duo head to Cork to check out the fashion scene and Suzanne from Kerry is afraid of looking like mutton dressed as lamb.

Should be interesting.

Sarah Carty

Check out much more from a returning Off The Rails on www.rte.ie/fashion