Deft use of colour has long defined the work of British fashion designer Paul Smith, who this month unites with Boffi | DePadova on a collaborative collection – debuting at Salone del Mobile 2022 – comprising artisanal sofas, armchairs, poufs, coffee tables, blankets, benches and trays.
Earthy shades of ecru and brick red meet bolder swathes of peacock green and deep midnight blue across the sustainably minded collaboration, alongside vivid flashes of lime green – a colour distinct to Paul Smith, and the collection’s ‘hero hue’.
Beginning with the designer’s guiding phrase, ‘you can find inspiration in everything’, these colours enliven an otherwise clean-lined collection titled ‘Everyday Life’, which melds comfortable, understated design with luxury materials and playful details – much like Smith’s own clothing collections. ‘An homage to the value of craftsmanship,’ say Paul Smith and Boffi | DePadova of the collaboration.
The fabrics include sustainable and low-impact hemp, kapok (naturally organic, hypoallergenic and insulating) and recycled feathers, while dark oak, leather and marble provide the collection’s structure. ‘The juxtaposition of wood and stone references Paul’s love of the unexpected,’ say the accompanying notes.
Elsewhere, references to the history of Smith’s eponymous label appear throughout: ‘Punto Cavallo’ stitches are a nod to the designer’s tailoring heritage, while contrast zig-zag and cross-stitching in various hues recall the Paul Smith ‘Signature Stripe’ (the recognisable design is finding renewed life in recent months, appearing in the brand’s advertising campaigns and across dedicated mens- and womenswear collections).
‘I have total and absolute respect for DePadova and its history, to which many design heroes of mine have contributed,’ says Smith. ‘I admire the uncompromising quality and functional aesthetics, so my touch is tucked in subtle and not so obvious details that present classic in a new light.’
Roberto Gavazzi, Boffi | DePadova CEO, adds: ‘Paul Smith is unique in the fashion world, with his distinctive style that has been able to stand out over time. We admire the way the colours reveal themselves in his creations with a surprise effect, and this is the spirit we wanted to bring to the collection.’
INFORMATION
paulsmith.com
boffidepadova.com
ADDRESS
De Padova Santa Cecilia
Via Santa Cecilia, 7
Milano
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