Background+Paul Smith Menswear Spring 2003

Background of Paul Smith

London-based designer Paul Smith has been turning “proper” men’s and women’s fashion on their proverbial ears since he abandoned his dreams of being a competitive cyclist and started his own label in 1976. The designer is known for taking classic school boy, school girl, and tomboy looks and having a little fun with them, in the form of super-bright stripes, loud prints, contrasting colors and fabrics, and extra sharp tailoring.

Today there are 12 different collections;Paul Smith, Paul Smith Women, PS by Paul Smith, Paul Smith Jeans, Paul Smith London, R.Newbold (Japan only), Paul Smith Accessories, Paul Smith Shoes, Paul Smith Fragrance, Paul Smith Watches, Paul Smith Pens and Paul Smith furniture and ‘things’. Designed in Nottingham and London, the Paul Smith collections are primarily produced in England and Italy while the fabrics used are mainly Italian, French and British. I choose to analysis menswear, because he made his mark first in "menswear".

This is his collection in spring 2003, it contains pop art feeling in his print. Star print is also popular in 70's fashion. Andy Warhol is represent 70's style, also the style is "classic and quirky" which is the same style with Paul Smith. people describe Paul Smtih as "Savile Row meets Mr Bean". He can play his dual roles well, both designer and retailer. It is because when he is young, he was a manager of the menswear department of the Birdcage boutique on Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham. Another reason is his father is a atailor and he has a foundation case in clothes. so Paul Smith allows men to buy relatively traditional and hence commercially designs that offer a "twist" od individuality. Parker Posey, violinist Vanessa Mae, Jude Law, Matthew McConaughey, David Bowie and Mika who is very fashionable and playful people, they like to wear Paul Smith.

Star print and sharp color is 70's style

POP ART Feeling picture and Sharp mono-chromatic color. It shows Paul like to use 70s Color, pattern and art so much.


Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floral_Street

'Andy Warhol and His World',Louis Revy

'70s Fashion Vintage Fashion and Beauty Ads', EdJim Heimann, TASCHEN