What should a woman do if she's going for the "I-borrowed-it-from-my-boyfriend" look but doesn't actually have a boyfriend? Paul Smith has the answer.
The British designer showed off his 2011 spring-summer collection on Monday, and except for a few stylish dresses the clothes could just as easily have suited the men in the audience. The designer said that his collection was based around the idea of "borrowing clothes from your brother or your boyfriend".
It certainly looked it.
Women in teddy-boy haircuts took to the catwalk sporting men's-style shirts rolled up over the elbow, green shiny suits, ash-coloured waistcoats and serious-looking trouser-skirts. There were touches of velvety purple, a splash of Smith's flowery prints and some sexy playsuits, but overall the look was androgynous.
Smith is known worldwide for his successful menswear range and often favours masculine clothes in his womenswear shows. Many of Monday's models — some of whom sported black-rimmed glasses with one wearing a severe sweater-style top — looked as if they just stepped out of the library.
Smith said the pared-down look was what the public wanted.
"People are looking for clothes they can add to their wardrobes without spending too much money," he said.
CHRISTOPHER KANE
1950s-style twinsets and below-the-knee hem lines were anything but boring at Christopher Kane's show on Monday, as the young Scottish star brought those conservative silhouettes up to date with a combination of crazy neon colours and a floral lace print — on leather. Skirt suits with boxy jackets came in fluorescent green, bright fuschia or orange, all stamped with a retro lace pattern. Next came a series of dresses featuring a psychedelic, oriental dragon print highlighted with neon stripes. The collection was rounded off with delicate, see-through dresses embroidered with intricate oriental patterns, with a palette of mint green and soft coral.
