Paul & Joe: Spreading The Rhythm
By Michelle Taylor

PARIS, Jan 25, 2004/ FW/ --- Cool cats, the piano and the black voices that changed an era, like Miles Davis and The John Coltrane, gave it their soul and called it swing.

The age of swing spread its rhythm around the world creating a movement that bore a look, the musical artist as a gentleman.

Paul and Joe inspired by the era that brought so much change dedicated it their autumn winter 2004/05 menswear collection.

A celebration of goodtime, after all the maison has now been officially accepted into the Federation Francaise de la Mode Masculine calendar, a challenging feat when it comes to the fashion world and the politics that goes with it.

Decisively chic in pinstriped tailored pants with waistlines slightly raised and often held up with braces and matched with graphic prints on shirts and knitwear worn underneath double breasted jackets that contour the male silhouette but never accentuate it, allowing the outfit to move, slip and slide to the foot taping beats of a generation.

This man wears ties sloppily and often undone, carries square bags with double handles and has printed handkerchiefs in his jacket pocket.

He is always cool and charming, precisely sartorially detailed and dapper.

Sportive turtleneck sweaters, large wool knit and jeans are mixed with tailored waistcoats and jackets at ease.

Colours are daring and sure to bring a breath of fresh air to gloomy winters, tangerine, mustang red, blue and emerald green.

Distinguished in his soul, anytime is a good time to wear an evening suit or a tuxedo, not following rules is part of his inbred style.

The sparkling trench glistened like delicate raindrops at dawn, while the pink frill shirt contrasted underneath black satin lapels of double-breasted tuxedo jackets.

Paul and Joe are not the first this Paris season to look to music and the 1930’s for inspiration, but they succeeded in modernising a timeless style that celebrates an unforgettable era, one when a man’s elegance was transformed into a wardrobe.

Paul & Joe

Paul & Joe

Paul & Joe

Paul & Joe