Paul Smith AW18 Show At Paris Fashion Week

With tailoring forever at the heart of Paul Smith, the collection celebrates the suit and reasserts its relevance. Confident statement suits are presented for both men and women. In the opening look smooth satin lapels roll into dense pleats with jacquard wool sleeves woven with dancing fairies. On single pieces, houndstooth is panelled alongside Prince of Wales check and leather juxtaposed with hardy British tailoring cloths. The added length in jackets is a nod to Paul’s own past when in the Eighties he led a confident movement to relax the suit again reasserting its relevance.

Muted colour builds to a crescendo of bright red. Illustrator Edmund Dulac inspires a romantic palette of midnight blues, deep purples and other jewel-tones. Painterly prints bring a much-needed sense of optimism and respite from world woes and are delivered in other-worldly psychedelic florals and ethereal moonlit landscapes. Of particular prominence in the collection is the Dreamer print, seen most vividly in the intricacy of woven lambswool and mohair knitwear.

For women, tailoring is similarly relaxed but always has form. Suit jackets are deconstructed but follow the female figure, hugging at the waist to give a naturally confident shape that is never masculine. Satin dresses have an effortless elegance and appliquéd ribbon bows give detail and are inspired by Paul’s own drawings of flowers.

In outerwear length is again accentuated. The perfect timeless Epsom coat in a traditional English fabric is given an unexpected burst of vibrancy in turquoise and heavy leather coats appear in the Dulac-inspired jewel-tones. Leather engineering boots and tool bags further contrast the softened, relaxed tailoring. Friendship bracelets and charms on necklaces and earrings bring to life the theme of escapism and a sense of individuality and self-expression.

The following notable attendees included:
Malgosia Bela chose to bespoke Paul Smith black tux and blouse.
Laura Carmichael chose to wear a Paul Smith navy daisy chain suit and black gem embroidered heels.
Michael Fox chose to wear a Paul Smith navy jacket with contrast sleeves, navy striped zip-up polo shirt and grey wool trousers.
Niall Horan chose to wear a Paul Smith beige and blue checked wool suit, off-white stripe shirt and brown leather derby shoes.
Tinie Tempah chose to wear Paul Smith checked coat with pink roll neck.
Greta Bellamacina chose to wear a Paul Smith black silk embroidered dress.
Martha Ward chose to wear a Paul Smith white frilled silk top with striped wool trouser.
Idina Moncreiffe chose to wear a Paul Smith pink double-breasted wool suit, cream and white striped silk shirt, black heeled sandals and a Concertina cross body bag.
Laura Jackson chose to wear a Paul Smith camel wool coat with a shearling collar and a tartan wool suit.
Noella Coursaris Musunka chose to wear a Paul Smith black belted dress, navy suede jacket and Rachel Entwistle for Paul Smith necklace.
Flo Morrissey chose to wear a Paul Smith double-breasted orange wool suit and orange silk top.
Vicky McClure chose to wear a Paul Smith navy wool coat, burgundy chenille suit and multicoloured woven leather slip-on shoes.
Fenn O’Meally chose to wear a Paul Smith navy check wool suit and white embroidery anglaise shirt.
Patrick Gibson chose to wear a Paul Smith orange cotton field-jacket, grey cashmere jumper, navy cotton chinos and leather basso trainers.
Johannes Huebl chose to wear Paul Smith grey checked blazer and burgundy roll neck.
Mr Hotei chose to wear Paul Smith navy suit and shirt.