Paris Menswear Autumn/Winter 2008

Paul Smith
Winner of the Wallpaper* Design Award for best collaborator, our favourite renaissance man, showed a collection that was ‘very Smithy’, as we heard it being referred to. Smith is a dab-hand at creating great clothes that lots of men find simple to wear, and he injected the feeling of ease and natural smartness by using a multitude of pre-washed materials to avoid a ‘starchy’ look.

Staying true to his roots, Smith made full use of British fabrics such as tweed, Prince of Wales check, hounds tooth and dog tooth. These were mixed and matched with the jacket, waistcoat and shirt often shown together in different patterns and shades - giving a layered effect.

There was also a predominance of frockcoats and tailcoats, with pronounced shoulders and worn over skinny jeans to give the show a rock’n’roll vibe, as did the accessories range of leopard print belts and Chelsea boots. Very British, very Smithy.

Images: Catwalking.com