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Published on October 23, 2007

He's been in business for almost 40 years now and his traditional yet quirky designs have earned him a reputation for menswear that the British media has described as "Savile Row meets Mr Bean".

Over the past few years, Sir Paul Smith has also become something of an icon among well-heeled Thais.

Recently, Club21 (Thailand), the label's sole distributor in the Kingdom, held "Paul Smith - The Art Society" in the aristocratic ambience of Tewarach-Saparom Hall, Phayathai Royal Palace.

Guests were treated to a fabulous showcase of the legendary British designer's collection for Autumn/Winter 2007 along with an exhibition of eight artworks inspired by his signature multi-coloured stripes.

Artist and illustrator, ML Chirathorn Chirapravati presented a drawing titled "Chirathorn and Paul Smith". The work represented a journey taken by the female character - a depiction of Chirathorn's alter ego - while the striped pear she carried on her head symbolised the designer.

Chirathorn says Smith has a great sense of humour. "I love his boutique on Floral Street in London's Covent Garden. Whenever I think of British fashion, Smith is the first name that springs to mind."

Wasan Puengprasert, the photographer who heads up the fashion shoots for Dichan magazine, created an image called "Lalan Ta" (Dazzling). His model was painted white to contrast with Smith's vibrant colours and the shot was double-exposed for an impressionist effect.

Suthisak Sucharittanonta, chairman and chief creative officer of BBDO Bangkok, came up with a short film inspired by Smith's book "You Can Find Inspiration in Everything". Suthisak's celluloid journal echoed this sentiment, culminating with a clever shot of candy-striped fortune sticks.

"I like the way Smith plays with classic designs, but adds his own twists, for example, jazzing up traditionally cut shirts with colourful buttons. His designs are wearer friendly," he notes.

Architect Amata Luphaiboon of Department of Architecture came up with a creative twist of his own, bringing along a striped panel from the large-scale model he had created of Smith's boutique in Los Angeles.

Flower stylist Santipong Kongrak added texture to his floral arrangement "Art and Connection" with green apples and eggplant. "When I think of Paul Smith, I think of people with creativity and style. His clothes have a definite artistic element."

Pattarapol Chantkam, lecturer at KMUTT School of Architecture and Design, came up with a furniture design called "The Traveller" using the Bendi character printed on the sole of Paul Smith shoes.

"To me, Smith is quintessentially English in that his designs have an aristocratic look with unusual details. He is very strong in conceptual design."

Yarinda Bunnag's concept showroom "Stripe-Scape-Store" was also inspired by Smith's signature stripes, with plywood layers carefully drawn to create a three-dimensional backscape.

Pongsuang Kunprasop, creative director for Dudesweet, presented a graphic design titled "I Hate Stripes". He admires Smith for supporting the arts. "I think Smith's Englishness and British rock go naturally together. That's why I decided to do an Op-Art piece that plays with graphic motifs."

The dazzling fashion show displayed a selection of outfits from both Smith's men's and women's lines.

Tux jackets were worn with relaxed trousers and under oversized military coats and a traditional tux jacket was reworked in washed fabric and featured zip fastenings.

Shirt styles were simple with clean slim shapes in muted colours like khakis, greys and aubergines. Classic fabrics featured simple detailing with small collars and uneven buttons for a weathered look.

T-shirts and jerseys provided great layering items, some of them worn under evening shirts. Casual wool jerseys came in as assortment of rich colours and featured formal evening inspired bib fronts.

The women's collection drew inspiration from the time of independent femininity of the 1920s with deep moss greens, rich Bordeaux reds and warm creams mixed in with rebellious fluorescent highlights and subtle metal tones.

Tailoring had a boyish silhouette with classic jackets in chalk stripe wools teamed with loose turn-up trousers and over wide-legged culottes.

Regimental influences were seen throughout the outerwear, along with 40's shawl collars and dropped waistlines.

Skirts and dresses in silks and velvets flirtatiously brushed the knee. New styles in knitwear included oversized knits in chunky cables and metallic yarns; belted wrap cardigans in bronze and gold tied fluidly over slouchy trousers. Large kimono style sleeves and slouchy long cashmeres created a more relaxed look with fine crochet collar detailing adding a feminine touch.

 Kupluthai Pungkanon

 The Nation