If anyone can make us long for cold weather, it's Paul Smith. His Autumn/Winter 2012 collection had us wishing summer away before it's even arrived...
Words: Phoebe Frangoul, pictures: Rex Features
With this collection Paul Smith did was he does best - create subtly sexy, masculine clothes for girls - tailored suits, mannish coats, slim trousers, slim-fit sweaters - all styled in a cooler-than-cool way.
A louche printed silk coat and trousers resembled a man's dressing gown and pyjamas, while dresses were long, lean and glamorous in an understated way (even a shimmering disco frock was toned down with a man's blazer thrown over the top - typically Paul Smith). Colours were rich and suitably autumnal - mustard, burgundy, forest green - and combined in ways that were surprising and pleasing to the eye.
Cordurouy trousers were cropped neatly at the ankle to reveal boyish loafers or boots and worn with the finest wool polo neck sweaters or one of Smith's classic shirts. The models' hair was tied in whispy, Bardot-esque ponytails at the nape of the neck, looking effortlessly chic and some sported coolly nerdy oversized spectacles. This was the ultimate in relaxed, casual elegance.
