Standing in Sir Paul Smith’s office amongst the thousands of books, quirky collectables and beautiful artworks with the man himself was one of the most surreal moments of my life!
It’s an office that I know well from the detailed descriptions given by journalists and a room that I’ve seen in many documentaries, but to look at the packed shelves first-hand is something else entirely. I think before I go any further, I should also mention that we were being shown around the office by Sir Paul Smith himself. Now you can begin to imagine the excitement levels as Sir Paul is one of the people I admire most in the world.
I’ve felt a connection to Paul and his brand for many years. From my brother’s wedding suit to my Dad’s favourite silk tie and to my Mom, a brilliant letter writer, who always encourages me to follow my dreams and to put pen to paper to Paul. I was lucky enough to first visit the Mayfair store on a day that Paul happened to be paying a visit. What followed was an impromptu tour where he told us in detail about the art and furniture that he had picked up on his travels!
It was the first time that I’d been close to Paul’s amazing energy and I could see his passion and interest in everything from the materials used on the front doors of the store, to the stunning suede brogues that sat atop polished wooden tables shipped from Devon. That’s why, to stand in his own creative space last Friday and to see him so relaxed telling anecdotes and background stories of his personal collection is still something that I’m processing as I write this.
It all began with a letter
I decided to write to Paul to thank him for his tireless creativity, sense of fun and his ethos of finding inspiration in everything. He has worked consistently to push creative boundaries through fashion, photography and art and continues to challenge the way that many of us think, myself included.
That letter brought about an invitation to visit his office and studios and if you take away nothing else from this piece, write to your idols!
The Paul Smith magic
The best way to describe our visit was a whirlwind of fun and most definitely a visual feast and my favourite moment of the day was when Paul disappeared down the end of his office and spun around with a giant iPod made especially for him by Sir Johnathon Ive.
You literally got the feeling that anything could happen or be pulled out of a corner!
This relentless creativity and pace finds its way into his work, with him recalling visits worldwide during the last two weeks, with his Instagram often having a better idea of where he is than he does!
You get the idea that his mind is constantly on the bigger picture in life; observing, thinking and creating.
The fans
It was fascinating to hear about the stories behind the collection of objects and photographs in the building. Items are sent from across the globe creating a riot of colour and pattern. A meat sandwich in a freeze block had arrived that morning, an entire nativity scene was made out of monkey nuts and a chewed up leather boot accompanied a picture of a very guilty looking dog and a letter asking for one single size 8 replacement.
However, the most intriguing items arrive from the same fan without a box, covered in stamps with no return address. This might not seem that odd until you hear that gifts over the years have included a chair, an apple, a large fuzzy chicken, a sleigh and a big piece of wooden bark to name a few.
Humour seems a shared link between the designer and his fans.
Paul told us about designing a tie with a group of young school children and working personally with college students from across the world on various projects and presentations. It’s so nice to think that fans and young children can connect with Paul and to see how he proudly showcases the items makes you understand that they are a real inspiration for him and his team.
The world of Paul
When you enter Paul’s office, you are entering his private imaginative world, creativity bubbles and ideas take flight. He said that designers come and use the office for inspiration, often using the fabulous library of books, toys and curiosities for reference material. Pictures with Sir Bradley Wiggins, David Bailey and David Bowie are just some of the photos that adorn the walls and the many design collaborations with brands and people are a testament to his creative reach.
Thank you
To Sir Paul, thank you for making a dream come true. Thank you for taking time out of your incredibly busy schedule to spend time with us and to give us a glimpse into your fabulous creative world. I will treasure the photographs, the memories and most importantly, your sense of kindness and fun.
This visit has inspired me to keep chasing my dreams and to reach out to the people in my life who I’m thankful for and who go the extra mile in all that they do. You are a truly special person and it was joy to spend time with you.
