We Want In On Paul Smith's Veterans Club

Front rows are prime real estate. Usually crammed full of up-and-comers, and the occasional actors and influencers that need to be PRESENT, guest lists largely focus on the fresh-faced. Rick Owens plucks its front row from the fringes. Dior invited the ascendant Beckhams. Louis Vuitton prioritised streetwear's finest (despite distancing itself from streetwear proper).

Paul Smith however, did things a bit differently. Yes, there were some rising stars in the midst: Bohemian Rhapsody's Gwilym Lee, for one, and London theatre darling Greta Bellamacina. But the real conduits of star power came from the greats, the sort of names that command an 'ooooh, look who it is' from across the generational spectrum. Sir Ian McKellan was there. So too was Susan Sarandon, and Jon Hamm. Even Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page dusted off the two-piece.

These people don't come out for nothing. Nor does fashion's empress dowager Anna Wintour, who made a rare appearance on the menswear schedule to support her mate Mr. Smith. After years on the celebrity circuit, the tumult of a Paris Fashion Week show could be considered A Little Too Much on the fifth time round. But, as it was the label's 50th anniversary, and as Paul Smith has long clothed industry heavyweights, the RSVP was very important indeed.

More front rows like this, please.