£60 designer dress sells out before it hits the shelves

Stocks of a £60 designer leopard-print Debenhams dress sold out before it had arrived on the shelves.

The department store's website was overwhelmed by customers as they ordered all 1,000 of the one-shoulder mini dresses after they were unveiled at a fashion launch two weeks ago.

Debenhams said it had never seen a reaction like it and has ordered more supplies of the dress, which is part of the shop's Star by Julien Macdonald collection. Director of design Karen Peacock said: "We're seeing the emergence of recession chic. The wealthy are watching the pennies - but still want to look good."