Wallpaper 11

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHNNIE SHAND KYDD FASHION: LUNE KUIPERS WRITER: ELLIE STATHAKI

In any design discipline, resisting the urge
to over-embellish and over-work is a deining
principle. It is an art Paul Smith excels in, and
the fashion designer’s new tuxedo collection
for women – his irst foray into this type of
formalwear – is no exception, with each piece
carefully crafted to ofer natural ease and
sophistication. ‘Evening wear, red-carpet

clothing, occasion wear, whatever you choose

to call it, comes in many diferent shapes

and sizes,’ says the British designer. ‘For me,

the most exciting and interesting approach

is “less is more”, creating allure and intrigue

with seemingly efortless designs.’

It is a quality that Smith, a self-confessed

architecture buf, also recognises in the work

of Frida Escobedo. ‘I love when architects

are conident enough to take familiar,

everyday materials and use them in creative

and unexpected ways,’ he says. ‘Frida

often does that; I’m very impressed by the

simplicity of the materials she chooses.’

It was this synergy of minds and methods

that inspired Smith to invite the Mexican »

Perfectly suited

Architect Frida Escobedo and fashion designer Paul Smith ind common ground

ARCHITECT FRIDA ESCOBEDO

IN LONDON’S KENSINGTON

GARDENS, NEAR THE 2018

PAVILION SHE DESIGNED FOR

THE SERPENTINE GALLERY

DOUBLE-BREASTED JACKET,

£825; TROUSERS, £440; SHIRT,

£285, ALL BY PAUL SMITH

TUXEDO. SHOES, £425, BY

PAUL SMITH

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Fashion