Paul Smith: Kaleidoscope
By Mari Davis
Photos by Gruber-FWD
LONDON, Feb 20, 2003/ FW/ --- A British-designer who has continuously garnered success
in the U.K. and around the world, Paul Smith is the very definition of longevity in the business.
Starting as a menswear designer (he shows his men's collection during the Paris Menswear Show),
the veteran designer started designing women's clothes 16 years ago.
He jokingly told reporters backtage after his show that 'he now felt comfortable with
the task.'
The 55-year old father of British fashion is more than just comfortable with it!
His Fall 2003 collection which was unveiled at the Shepherd's Bush warehouse showed that
he relishes in it. In fact, to say that he is quite good will be an understatement.
Sending every color from the rainbow on the runway, the atmosphere was very upbeat and
optimistic.
Instead of the cut, it was the colors that drew attention to the female form. Paul Smith
is becoming quite a colorist.
Stimulated by his travels last year, the Fal 2003 collection was inspired by Russia and
a constructivist art exhibition he attended in New York.
Constructivism found its way to the collection with jackets embroidered with "Our first lessons
together were very good ones - remember."
Explaining his choice of bright colors for fall, Paul Smith told reporters backstage,
"At this time, with the threat of war, I wanted to be optimistic, friendly and to make
people feel good."
I agree.
|
