PARIS, Aug 5, 2006/ FW/ --- When Paul Smith opened his Los Angeles store last December, the pink rectangular building that literally look like a shoebox became an instant landmark at Melrose.

Last month, during the Paris menswear season, Paul Smith mixed California’s free spirit with classic British tailoring and he came up with a very masculine, fun loving and easy-to-wear collection.

The suits were very casual – the jackets cut with rounded shoulders, the trousers has a relaxed fit. Worn with sneakers or penny loafers without socks, it brought a new aspect on ‘dressing up.’

Long sleeved knits done in color blocks, unbuttoned tees without collars and crewneck pullovers are ‘The O.C.’ material, perfect for any of the male cast members, which of course translate to the whole Pacific Coast Highway.

Interesting takes are the ‘cowboy-inspired’ shirts with topstitching details. It’s the west after all, and conquering it means riding on the prairie with the ‘boys.

There were tiny floral prints, too, courtesy of the flower children of northern California. And of course, there were the surfing shorts that can easily be seen being worn from Malibu to San Diego.

Even the models were chosen to represent the eclectic California men who wear their hair in a very wide spectrum, from very long to very short, as in just out of Marine boot camp.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith