Paris menswear: UK designers, differing styles mark last day

On the final day of menswear shows in the French capital, Lanvin put on an ode to contrasting styles, while British designers reigned supreme. London designer Craig Green decamped to Paris for his first major show outside of his homeland and British fashion icon Paul Smith showcased his latest designs.

Here are some highlights of Sunday's fall-winter 2020-2021 menswear designs.

LANVIN STRIKES DISCORD

A model presents a creation during Lanvin Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Paris. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

Dramatic jagged lighting panels were used as decor on the Lanvin show venue's Brutalist architecture.

In more ways than one, this season was about contrasts.

It infused all aspects of the unisex menswear collection: Each ensemble had a striking contrast in color, motif or style.

A model presents a creation during Lanvin Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Paris. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

A loose navy jacket sat against a white undergarment and shiny vermilion boots. While, voluminous white sheer sleeves with a historic-feel were twinned with an intentionally-clashing check skirt.

A pared down or minimalist mood pervaded the 56 looks — in keeping with the direction the brand has moved as a whole since general changes last year that saw Bruno Sialelli named creative director.

The house continues to capitalize on their “come back” after several years of creative turbulence.

A model presents a creation during Lanvin Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Paris. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

CRAIG GREEN DEBUTS IN PARIS

In his first ever Paris show — and his first calendar show outside of London — British designer Craig Green made a splash.

There was much anticipation on the move from his homeland, especially as British Vogue has deemed him one of the most important current London-based designers.

Model Gigi Hadid presents a creation during Lanvin Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020 in Paris. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

Green developed a cutting-edge aesthetic after internships with fashion forward names Walter van Beirendonck and Henrik Vibskov that led to collaborations with Moncler.

On Sunday, straps, long banding and geometric padding were dominant features in the designs that seemed fused with the show's bags.

Long straps, tassels and abstract paneling came on the collection's rather statement geometric bags in brooding colors such as dark gunmetal, eggshell and silver.

Models wear creations for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A transgressive, even aggressive, feeling appeared at times when the padding on the clothes and bags resembled army flaks. Green is a designer to watch.

PAUL SMITH

British fashion legend Paul Smith carried out a stylish collection — spanning from traditional statement coats, polka dots to total look denim. Varied themes defined the show.

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

The Smith signature of loosely proportioned suits came in beautifully selected hues of dark pastel red, cadmium blue, copper red and vermilion among others this season.

On coats, lapels were sometimes slightly jagged — a small flash of detail on the largely understated and pared-down designs.

Total look denim might sound like a simplistic thought, but Smith's masterful use of extra thick fabric gave jackets a nice, armor-like feel.

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

A model presents a creation for the Paul Smith Mens FallWinter 2020-2021 fashion collection presented in Paris, Sunday Jan. 19, 2020. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)

LONDON (AP) — David Bowie’s bedroom could soon be London’s newest tourist attraction.

The house where the musician grew from suburban schoolboy to rock ‘n’ roll starman has been bought by a charity that plans to open it to the public.

The Heritage of London Trust said Thursday that the 19th-century railway worker’s cottage in the south London suburb of Bromley will be restored to its 1960s decor and open to the public next year.

Visitors will be able to visit the 9-foot by 10-foot (2.7-meter by 3-meter) bedroom, “where a spark became a flame,” the charity said. The trust hasn't said how much it paid for the house.

Bowie, born David Jones, lived in the house from 1955, when he was 8, until 1967, when he was a 20-year-old working musician hungry for fame.

Geoffrey Marsh, co-curator of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s hit 2013 exhibition “David Bowie Is," said the house is where "Bowie evolved from an ordinary suburban schoolboy to the beginnings of an extraordinary international stardom.

“As he said, ‘I spent so much time in my bedroom, it really was my entire world. I had books up there, my music up there, my record player.'"

From Bromley, Bowie went on a creative journey that took him to Philadelphia, Berlin and New York, through eye-popping style changes and musical genres from folk-rock to glam, soul, electronica and new wave. His songbook includes classics such as “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Life on Mars,” “Starman,” “Young Americans” and “Heroes.”

The house project, backed by Bowie’s estate, has received a 500,000 pound ($670,000) charity grant and is seeking donations from the public. The heritage trust aims to open the house in late 2027 for public visits and creative workshops for children.

The announcement came as fans mark a decade since Bowie’s death at age 69 on Jan. 10, 2016, two days after the release of his final album, “Blackstar.”

A decade on, Bowie’s cultural legacy in music, style and design continues to inspire. His 90,000-item archive opened to the public last year at the V&A Museum's David Bowie Centre in east London.

George Underwood, a childhood friend, said that the house was where “we spent so much time together, listening to and playing music.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say David’s music saved them or changed their life,” he said in a statement. “It’s amazing that he could do that and even more amazing that it all started here, from such small beginnings, in this house. We were dreamers, and look what he became.”

FILE - Rock star David Bowie attends a press conference in Los Angeles, C.A. on March 16, 1990. (AP Photo/Marilyn Weiss, File)