Design

Paris Fashion Week Menswear SS13: Paul Smith



My main takeaway from Paul Smith ss13? The world needs more pink suits. (And red, and yellow, and peach.) I love these proportions – short ‘DB8’ jacket (i.e. double-breasted, eight buttons), slim, above-the-ankle trousers, plus note the slightly higher heel too, to ‘create an upright posture’ apparently… (more…)



Paris Fashion Week Menswear SS13: Kenzo




Possibly my favourite Paris show, following a brief display of parkour gymnastics (above), Kenzo heralded a return to its Jungle Jap roots, showing a sporty but tailored collection mixing influences of the urban jungles of Paris and New York with those of Asian jungles. The layers of camo and abstract animal prints are what made this collection sing for me, as well as the huge variety of accessories. Designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon have brought their retailers’ eye to Kenzo so have got the balance of creativity and commerce spot on. (more…)



Weekend in Paris: Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs at Les Arts Decoratifs



Despite the intensive schedule of shows and fashiony events, I made a big effort to see some exhibitions in Paris. Of course, I had to start with a fashion one so off I went to the Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs exhibition at Les Arts Decoratifs. As expected, I found myself more drawn to the first half of the exhibition which explores the innovation of luggage-maker Mr Louis Vuitton himself. This was a fascinating history and design lesson and showed great exhibits like the original ‘Never Full’ bag (below) and the trunk that turns in a bed. The giant animation was also quite something to behold. (more…)