Paul Smith has collaborated with The Henry Moore Foundation to get an unprecedented access to Moore’s remarkable graphics, drawings & sculpture archive. The Henry Moore Foundation is a registered charity founded by the artist in 1977 to encourage and educate the public in the appreciation of visual arts.

“I have always been a fan of Henry Moore and this is the first time a contemporary designer has been granted permission to make use of his prints and drawings on clothing. I was most privileged to visit the Henry Moore archive to select the drawings I wanted to use,” says Sir Paul Smith. The AW11 collection showcase a considered reinterpretation of Henry Moore’s iconic aesthetic; imagery of Moore’s original artworks have been used across Paul Smith clothing and accessories to create an eclectic fusion of contrasting colours, patterns and textures that stay true to their inspiration, he further added.

Designs for men and women feature painterly shapes, abstract textures and standing figure prints across garments in varying means. Prints are positioned all-over or as placement decorations and trim details; a men’s tailored wool blazer hides a printed silk lining whilst a women’s gathered jersey dress is adorned with sweeping illustration. Artwork is, in some cases, overlapped and manipulated to large scale proportions. In accessories, a square silk scarf is screen printed with figure etchings. A gentlemen’s leather billfold wallet reveals a contrasting interior.

Design inspiration is not limited to print; Moore’s conceptual aesthetic is also present in the use of modern forms and fluid lines. The collection also acknowledges Moore’s use of organic colour and definitive tone; a palette of bronze, bark and graphite is highlighted by deep red and ochre.