Paul Smith Red Ear SS20 Draws From Heritage Japanese Craftsmanship

British designer Paul Smith has a longstanding relationship with Japan, extending to an expansive array of exclusive goods. The Red Ear series has remained part of Smith’s efforts to thoughtfully draw from the culture of and historical craft developed in The Land of the Rising Sun, with Spring/Summer 2020 introducing an array of thoughtful goods indebted to classic Japanese shapes.

This season employs a particular focus on American militaria, filtered through a Japanese lens. The results range from an army bomber jacket with kimono collar to a reversible liner jacket that boasts one black quilted side and another informed by indigo-dyed cotton. Kimono and noragi inspiration yields collarless fishtail parkas, cardigans field jackets with matching hakama-inspired slacks, all crafted in Japan from soft textural cottons. Elsewhere, delicate embroidery elevates staple tees, which have each been dyed in small batches with foraged organic materials that include plants, berries and fruits.

Shop the Red Ear SS20 collection on Paul Smith’s web store and London flagship.

Elsewhere in Japan, HYPEBEAST took a look at some of the country’s most promising young fashion brands.