PAUL SMITH

Autumn/Winter '13

An autumn/winter '13 women’s collection packed with modern sartorial staples, punctuated with pop and texture in colour and fabric combinations

Contrasting soft alpaca tweeds and lambskin with silk twill and layered organza, the collection mixes hard and soft in fabrication. Colours collide as dark wintry shades sit beside more optimistic brights and a softened silhouette on the shoulder clashes with more harsh straight lines on trousers and in collars and sleeves in outerwear.

Geometric prints are subtly incorporated into fabrics, bonded onto felted wool and crisp cotton, the signature Paul Smith twist is injected in linings and soft accessories. Bespoke interpretations of houndstooth and the Prince of Wales check are scattered throughout and a photograph taken by Paul in Cuba of an ornate chandelier is incorporated into several looks, including a pair of red straight-leg trousers a teal silk shift.

An autumnal palette is punctuated with pops of bright, including fuchsia, cobalt, teal, rust, navy and silver, as well as neutral navy and off-white. Colour combinations vary - red and pink clash, while a graduating colour palette is also shown with complementary blue hues.

Vivid accessories mix and match with bold separates, either complementing rich hues or clashing with bright tailoring. The oversized portfolio clutch is a key accessory, available in an array of hues, as is the ‘Ziggy’ bag. The ‘Base’ holdall is reinvented this season with ‘Point’ fabric, designed by Paul in collaboration with textile designers Maharam. Key shoe styles include ‘Pepper’ court shoes with an elegant pointed toe, ‘Eta’ low-cut booties with ankle straps, ‘Waters’ elongated loafers and ‘Miles’ loafer ankle boots.