Your Far To Kind

Paul Smith Spring 2010 Men's: Menswear Fashion Collections on men.style.com: "Before his show, Paul Smith was promising something new. His invitation featured clouds viewed from the window of a plane, the kind of vista that would be all too familiar to Kings of Leon, Franz Ferdinand, and the other youngish touring bands the designer name-checked.

The promise of newness was honored in the palette. The show was still suit-based, but it evolved from a sober gray-flannel start to a celebration of sheen, and then color, in monochrome outfits that ranged from pale pastels to purple, teal, and a fiery, orangey red. Further lightening the sartorial load was the fact that suits were paired with espadrilles. And instead of his signature florals, Smith presented a muted botanical print featuring pineapples. In a cotton shirt jacket, it looked like a perfect piece of wardrobe-defining vintage, which should make some band member happy.

The finale featured Sir Paul and his models dancing down the catwalk to 'Thriller.' Michael Jackson has been a spectral presence on the Paris catwalks, as in the muted cover version of 'Billie Jean' that was playing as the audience filed out of Hermès last night. It was perhaps only right that the last show of the season should close with an unabashed reminder of the singer's greatest success.
— Tim Blanks"