Rock ‘n’ roll attitude unifies disparate menswear collection by Paul Smith

Rock attitude unifies diverse Paul Smith show

PARIS — Paul Smith won’t let the music die.

The eccentric British designer, who got his start hawking T-shirts to the likes of The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd back when they were newcomers, delivered Sunday an anarchic fall-winter 2010-2011 menswear collection steeped in vintage rock ‘n’ roll attitude.

The looks were all over the place.

Models — including some musicians culled from French and British bands for the occasion — sported mismatched suits in Harris tweeds, layers of chunky sweaters, and shawl-collared jackets and bowler hats or knit caps. They clunked down the catwalk in combat boots or padded softly in velvet dressing slippers and were draped in scarves, with punk touches such as safety pin earrings.

There were also period-looking pieces, including heavy swishing overcoats that channeled Sherlock Holmes and Oliver Twist-like knickers paired with slim velvet jackets.

“When you’re a clothes designer, you’ll often try to work on a theme to help your assistant designers and eventually help your sales people. But if a theme doesn’t come naturally, it’s very dangerous to do it,” Smith told The Associated Press. “This time, I just thought of my history — when I started at 18 years old selling T-shirts to rock bands — and do things I thought a lot of rock stars of all ages would wear.”

It was easy to imagine David Bowie in the series of slim, monochrome suits in plum, teal or electric blue, or Patty Smith — whom the designer says often buys pieces from his menswear collection — in the lozenge lapeled jackets and slouchy black trousers.