Paul Smith’s Autumn/Winter 2026 menswear collection, presented in an intimate salon setting in Milan, felt cohesive, precise, and quietly confident. Built around wearability and intelligent layering, the collection was elevated by the sharp, thoughtful styling of Ganio, proving that true luxury often lives in the details.
This season was not about spectacle—it was about substance. From the first look, it was clear that tailoring was at the heart of the story. Double-breasted blazers, impeccably cut suits, and refined outerwear showcased top-tier craftsmanship, reinforcing Paul Smith’s mastery of classic British tailoring. The result? A collection that makes you want to inject a measured dose of Savile Row discipline into your everyday wardrobe.
Presented salon-style, the show fostered intimacy—an environment where tailoring, memory, and curiosity converged. Paul Smith also took the moment to spotlight his younger design team, acknowledging their role in shaping the collection and ensuring the brand’s continuity across generations.
Magpie Dressing, Refined
The collection embraced what could be described as “magpie dressing” at its most elegant. Archive silhouettes returned with new relevance, inside-out constructions revealed thoughtful craftsmanship, and materials like Harris Tweedgrounded the collection in heritage. Playful prints—distinctly Paul Smith—added character without overwhelming the looks.
Classic menswear codes were gently disrupted, not dismantled. Everything felt lived-in rather than overly styled, approachable yet sophisticated. This was menswear designed to be worn, not merely admired.
Looking Inward to Move Forward
Paul Smith is famously the designer who once wrote an entire book reminding us that inspiration is everywhere—You Can Find Inspiration in Everything (And If You Can’t, Look Again). For Autumn/Winter 2026, that inspiration comes from within.
Looking inward, Smith revisits his own archive, drawing from decades of work, personal history, and memory. Past prints, silhouettes, and references return with renewed meaning, shaping a collection where time, continuity, and creativity quietly converge.
Smith reflects on memories of his father, a photographer, who in 1968 captured landscape images—photographs that have now been translated into shirt prints, rendered almost like an illustrator’s drawings. These personal references form the emotional backbone of the collection, transforming nostalgia into something modern and relevant.
There’s also a sense of generosity in this approach. Smith places his legacy at the disposal of a new generation—one that didn’t even exist when he founded his brand 55 years ago. It’s a reminder that true modernity isn’t about erasing the past, but about reinterpreting it.
Shown in Milan, the choice of location was intentional and personal. As Smith himself notes, he loves showing in small spaces—and with a beautiful showroom at his disposal, the city provided the perfect backdrop for a collection rooted in intimacy and authenticity.
Paul Smith Autumn/Winter 2026 is a masterclass in reflective design: classic menswear, thoughtfully disrupted, deeply personal, and confidently contemporary.
Styling: Ben Schofield @benkschofield
HMU: Matt Mulhall @mattmulhall
Casting: Ben Grimes Casting @ben_grimes_casting
Production: Holmes Production @holmesproduction
Music: Andrew Hale and Peter Smith
