Paul Smith on Melrose Exhibit, Dressing Icons Like David Bowie and Possible Cameo at “Pink Shoebox”

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As I peruse this captivating collection of images from The Hollywood Reporter, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and nostalgia. With each click, I’m transported to the heart of the entertainment industry, a world I’ve only ever glimpsed through the lens of my television screen.

Paul Smith, the renowned British fashion designer, has arrived in Los Angeles and is currently in town for a short visit. The reason behind his trip is the celebration of his tailoring at his Melrose Avenue boutique, which he affectionately calls “the big pink shoebox”. This iconic store, now famous on social media, is being transformed into an exhibit space for A Frame Around a Picture: Dressing the Greats. The event will display outfits worn by some of Smith’s star clients.

As a fashion enthusiast, I’ve got some exciting news to share! In West Hollywood, there’s an exhibit showcasing a brown wool two-piece suit that Cillian Murphy, the star of ‘Oppenheimer’ and eventual Oscar winner, wore to the nominees luncheon. The collection also includes a unique check ensemble donned by the iconic David Bowie for a GQ photoshoot, featuring a cameo by Smith, and more! This incredible display also showcases outfits worn by Harrison Ford, Matt Smith, Gary Oldman, John Legend, Jenna Ortega, Shawn Mendes, Niall Horan, and many others. The exhibition, running until October 21st, will offer the chance to purchase select archival pieces sourced by Luke’s founder, Luke Fracher. Don’t miss out on this fantastic fashion event!

Smith explained to The Hollywood Reporter via email that instead of viewing things in a straightforward manner, he tends to perceive them from various angles. He likened looking at a suit to framing a picture – the suit is like the picture frame itself, while the person wearing it is the artwork displayed within.

Smith mentioned that after dressing numerous prominent figures for several decades, the items for the exhibition seemed to naturally come together. He admitted that the exhibition actually became more focused due to many of the beautiful garments they had dressed and sold over time being lost or misplaced, making it difficult to obtain them. However, there are fond memories associated with working with stars like David Bowie, Gary Oldman, John Legend (and many others), all of whom have a deep appreciation for our designs, and we feel the same about them.

David Bowie was not just a client; he was one of Smith’s dearest friends for several decades, until the legendary rock star passed away on January 10, 2016. After his demise, Smith shared with THR what made Bowie unique. “It’s well-known that he was someone who constantly reinvented himself – his stage costumes and music were a significant part of his public image. However, what intrigued me was his personal style approach as a designer. Unlike others, I don’t usually give my clothes to people; I prefer them to wear my creations because they appreciate them, not because they received them as gifts. And David would simply drop by the store himself. He didn’t have a bodyguard or a stylist accompanying him. One day, he even walked into the Fifth Avenue store and bought every shirt in his size. It was truly awe-inspiring.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but imagine myself in Smith’s shoes, juggling his busy schedule after arriving from Tokyo, where yet another captivating tailoring exhibition took place. He hinted at potentially peeking outside the Melrose Avenue store to witness the buzzing spectacle that undoubtedly awaits against the vibrant pink backdrop. However, he cautioned that he might not be able to join the crowd due to the rumored massive turnout – several hundred people are said to gather there each day.

On Thursday night, Smith attended an extended appearance at a glamorous dinner and event held at Chateau Marmont, which attracted numerous prominent figures such as Rob Lowe, John Owen Lowe, Giancarlo Esposito, Leslie Odom Jr., Jesse Tyler Ferguson, John Cho, Manny Jacinto, Sir Patrick Stewart, JD Pardo, Chace Crawford, Alex Edelman, Brandon Perea, D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai, Anders Keith, Chevy Wolf, Mark Mahoney, Lamorne Morris, James Morosini, Rome Flynn, Cristo Fernández and others. The following are additional photos from the event titled “A Frame Around a Picture: Dressing the Greats” and its fashion-focused celebration.

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2024-10-04 22:57