CLUB 21 x SHENTONISTA: Travel With Paul Smith — Behind The Scenes

Travel is something that appeals to our innate nature, and something we can all relate to in one way or another. Whether it’s simply your daily commute to and from the office, or a long-haul flight across the Pacific, we all have our own little quirks and routines when it comes to travel, something which extends to the way we dress when we’re on the move as well. In our Travel With Paul Smith campaign, in collaboration with Club 21, we featured five style- and travel-savvy personalities dressed in Paul Smith’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection, who also shared some of their thoughts on the topic. Along the way, we battled the typical, indecisive Singaporean weather, dealt with hoards of tourists, put our physical selves in danger, and contended with curious passersby to bring the shoot together. Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at the campaign.

The day before the shoot, we met with each of our candidates at the Paul Smith store at Mandarin Gallery for a fitting; meeting them in person, we were able to get a better sense of their personalities and what they were comfortable with wearing.

The first to join us for the day was Colin, who pulled together a look that was true to his easy-going style of dressing: a playful t-shirt covered in printed ants, a rugged pair of jeans, a woven hat, slip-on shoes, and a lightweight, breathable blazer that was also crease-free, perfect for being outdoors and on the go.

Next was Darius, who tried on several vibrant looks that befitted his outgoing personality. Not one to shy away from colours, he picked out several accessories, like pencil-shaped cufflinks and casual white sneakers, that added some fun to his look.

Clarence breezed in after work, in an ensemble similar to what he would eventually wear on set. Sports-luxe seemed to be the key; comfortable in shorts and sneakers, he finished off the look with a sleek, minimal backpack.

Clinton & Nicole clearly knew their stuff, and were comfortable in the first thing that we put them in. Clinton’s look was all about the details — the cherries printed on his shirt, for example, or his tie adorned with various breeds of dogs. Nicole, on the other hand, found her two-piece suit with a sleeveless wool knit to be so comfortable that she didn’t want to take it off.

Then came shoot day. We had asked around and kind friends lent us the props integral to the shoot — two kickscooters, a penny board, and a foldable bicycle, which we piled into a van alongside all our camera equipment, loaned clothes, and the members of the team. The Vespa met us on location, driven over by another obliging friend.

Clarence met us at the Merlion Park, which overlooks the picturesque Marina Bay. Although it was early in the morning, the place was already swarming with tourists determined to make the most of the day, and a large part of our shoot was spent directing human traffic. Clarence was exceedingly patient throughout, barely breaking a sweat despite his long-sleeved top, blazer, and the increasing heat.

We had a relatively more comfortable time with Colin, under a sheltered walkway by the beautiful National Gallery. The quiet corridor was shielded from the mid-morning sun, and it being a weekday, the gallery was relatively empty. We had thought that Colin would be the most camera-shy of the lot, but he turned on the charm once the lens was turned on him, nailing shot after shot with ease — so much so that a passing aunty stopped to ask if he was an actor about to make his debut.

Darius’ location proved to be the most challenging: we had positioned him and the Vespa in the middle of a busy, two-way lane, in the heart of the central business district, at the peak of lunch hour. As cars weaved around us and gave way to what must have looked like a scene from a dramatic, Hong-Kong-meets-Italian gangster movie, Darius remained cool, calm, and collected, and most definitely a little amused at all the attention he was getting.

We thought things couldn’t get any tougher than that, after we took a break for lunch. Clinton & Nicole’s shoot took place behind Victoria Theatre, and we had initially worried that the late-afternoon sun would be too much for Clinton & Nicole to bear — he in his jacket and tie, she in her wool suit and knit top — but to our dismay, the good weather we had had throughout the day threatened to break. It started to drizzle lightly, then a little heavier, to the point where we had to put the shoot on hold and take shelter to wait it out. The clouds cleared up, eventually, and we got right back into it — Nicole excitedly taking her scooter for a spin, while Clinton preferred to keep his feet on solid ground instead.

Throughout the two days it became clear that everyone in this campaign, despite their different personalities, styles, and their routines when it came to travelling, all shared a sense of adventure and the realisation that being able to travel is a blessing and a chance to see the world for all it can offer. They shared about what they were most excited about in 2016, and we can’t wait to see where their journeys take them to next.

The team would like to thank everyone who chipped in to make this shoot possible. To our friends, thank you for trusting us with your precious vehicles; to the tourists at Merlion Park, thank you for bearing with us, and we hope you got the photos you wanted; to the patient drivers who never once honked at us during Darius’ shoot, thank you for proving that Singaporeans can be nice road users too. Finally, to Clarence, Darius, Colin, Clinton, and Nicole — thank you for being such good sports, and for allowing us to tell your stories.

This is a Shentonista project for Paul Smith and Club 21.

Join in the conversation: hashtag #TravelWithPS on any travel-related Instagram post and stand to win one of three exclusive Paul Smith notebooks. Whether it’s your travel essentials, your daily commute, or a shot from a trip, let your sense of adventure guide you. The contest runs from 1st – 15th March 2016.

During this same time, pop by the Paul Smith Mandarin Gallery and Hilton stores to shop the new Spring/Summer 2016 collection, and mention #TravelWithPS to receive an exclusive 10% off selected items* from 1st – 15th March 2016. 

*Terms & Conditions apply.

Paul Smith Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Rd #01-08
Singapore 238897

Paul Smith Hilton Hotel
581 Orchard Road #02-24/25
Singapore 238883