London Fashion Week

Paul Smith's Spring/Summer 2009 Collection

By Alicia on

A model walks down the catwalk during the Paul Smith fashion show at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 on September 15, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Europe)
Paul Smith knows his people. The internationally renowned English designer's showcase at this year's London Fashion Week was littered with classic Paul Smith touches like his signature stripes, but he still remembered to bring out the hats. British people love hats.

The models looked as if they'd just stepped out of the sea, with stringy, wet-looking hair and lots of sparkly bronzer on their cheeks. Perhaps Paul Smith really wanted to remind us that these are Spring/Summer clothes.

Note the hint of gingham beneath the intricate beading. Smith took the gingham theme and ran with it, apparently:

Meet Heroin Chic Dorothy.

Studies have shown that in times of economic recession, hemlines usually lower significantly. Despite this year's flagging economy, hemlines were still sky-high at Paul Smith. Maybe it's because the pound is so strong.

I take it back. It appears that Smith has incorporated some serious length into his Spring collections for those ladies who want to protect themselves from Arabian sandstorms.