THe Fall 2012 Classics -- Paul Smith

When British fashion designer Paul Smith creates his line for women, he is known for his take on classic menswear with a feminine edge. For example, when he updates a man’s paisley dressing gown, pairs it with a matching blouse and trousers in a contrasting prints, he ends up with that “sexy look a girl gets when she ‘borrows’ a few clothes from her man’s closet”.

As a teenager, Smith had aspirations of becoming a racing cyclist. Unfortunately for the world of racing, he had a cycling accident that ended those dreams. However, fortunately for the fashion world, he turned his creative energy to the world of men’s fashion design. In 1970, he opened his first shop and by 1976 his menswear line was showing in Paris. Enjoying international success, he delved into the world of women’s fashions in 1998 creating a line that would come to be known for its modern menswear interpretation. Smith, a hands-on designer, is involved not only in the designing process, but in choosing the fabrics, and approving store locations. (For store locations go to http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/shop-locator/)

I have to admit, not every piece in his his Fall line won me over, but I did find a number of pieces that would be perfect for a classic woman’s wardrobe. I can almost see Katherine Hepburn or Lauren Bacall wearing one of his smoking jackets or tuxedo adaptations. In the end, if making me wish for fall is a sign of success, he definitely succeeded.

Fall 2012 according to Paul Smith: