Paul Smith sails away with designs

Sir Paul Smith added a touch of high gloss to London Fashion Week today with a slick show and a stellar cast of models - the type only big bucks can buy.

With a turnover of £229 million Sir Paul can afford to draft in model of the moment Elise Crombez as well as British supermodel Erin O'Connor and high-profile stars Mini Anden, Adina and Jasmine Guinness to show off his latest winter collection.

He even splashed out on turning Victoria's Royal Horticultural Hall into a starry night-time scene complete with full moon.

And as for the clothes? Sir Paul kept it oh so classic with a navy, red and cream nautical theme that included classic blazers, Bretonstriped T-shirt dresses and sweaters with anchor motifs.

Some items were even printed with the slogan "Nautical But Nice" just to push home the seafaring theme. The music? What else but a remix of the Village People's disco anthem In The Navy.

Among all the nautical shenanigans he showed sweet navy tweed jackets, ribbon-trimmed evening dresses, immaculatelytailored pleated skirts and strong prints - as well as more sportinspired separates.

The man with the worldwide fashion empire knows catwalk shows are only window dressing for the real business of selling clothes and can afford to have a little fun.

With 14 stores in the UK and more than 200 in Japan alone, the Nottingham-born designer is clever enough to realise that his classic with a twist approach will sell - and no doubt in huge amounts next season.

Unlike Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Stella McCartney, who have all decamped to Paris, Paul Smith has been soldiering on at London Fashion Week since he first showed his women's wear here back in 1998.

Hopefully he will continue to show here for the sake of London Fashion Week.