Spring is on its way, and British heritage label Smythson is kicking it off in style with its latest collection to mark the change of season. Now online, brand enthusiasts will rejoice as it features fun and vivid shades, cue fresh green and zesty orange, teamed with classic and reworked shapes for a highly shoppable line.
On the range Zoe Colegrave, Chief Commercial Officer at Smythson says, “Admired for our famous use of color, our new collection is bursting with vivid and energizing springtime shades that embrace the change in season. We’re excited to be launching a host of new styles that feel playful yet quietly sophisticated, with a variety of pieces designed to help shape your week — whichever direction it takes.”
The newness doesn’t stop there as the the S/S ‘24 campaign film sees the merging of heritage and innovation, being fully computer-generated and including renders of the products — a first for the house.
From its 1960s pop art influences to its century-old production techniques, Zoe Colegrave gives us the lowdown.
Felicity Carter: What can we expect from Smython’s latest collection?
Zoe Colegrave: Our Spring/Summer 2024 collection is all about forgoing the fuss of day-to-day life, with cleverly thought-out details — though understated — that go a long way. Marrying contemporary styles with a classic dash of Smythson charm, we pair ingenious fittings and fixtures with spritely, uplifting hues to get you through the week with little worry.
FC: What’s the inspiration behind the line?
ZC: This new collection nods to our 135 years of heritage, reimagining pieces from our archive with new twists while making each style feel relevant for today. Known to be playful with our color pairings, this season is no exception. Our bold color combinations look to the 1960s pop art and culture revolution which saw a wave of interior designers — the likes of David Hicks — mixing daring color schemes of blues, oranges, reds, and greens.
FC: Tell us about the materials used?
ZC: Our key shade for our Spring/Summer 2024 collection, clover, is crocodile-embossed with our striking Mara leather while a host of other pieces are designed in our butter-soft Ludlow leather, and signature hardwearing Panama leather. Across our paper collection, our notebooks and diaries are packed full of our pale blue featherweight pages, admired for its lightness of touch.
FC: Can you let us into the process?
ZC: Each of our leather and paper pieces is crafted using techniques that have been perfected for over a century. From the effortless utility of clasps and neatly lined pockets to the glistening of our gilt-edging, each detail is thoughtfully composed. Inside the covers of our notebooks and diaries, you’ll find the careful markings of at least 15 hands, passed through a chain of skilled artisans — a bookbinding process that remains relatively unchanged from Frank Smythson’s first Panama diary over 100 years ago.
FC: What is the color palette for this line?
ZC: Fresh shades of green mark the change of the season, with our clover hue as vivid as it is eye-catching. The rest of this season’s color palette is a cocktail mix of vibrant orange, poppy red, and bright emerald, balanced beautifully with our neutral shades of taupe and nutmeg. For those who like to embrace the blue, we introduce new sophisticated shades of admiral and indigo.
FC: Which are the stand-out pieces this season?
ZC: Closely inspired by our original bag from 1924, our new Envelope Top Handle Bag features a distinguished silhouette and elevated handle and can be clutched or slung in front of you with its crossbody strap. For him, the Zip Front Slim Briefcase is seen in admiral, our elegant seasonal blue, perfectly designed for the dynamic schedule.
See the new collection on smythson.com.