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Film: An intimate audience with Paul Smith in his Aladdin's cave of an office

Date
27 November 2013

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As one of the UK’s foremost fashion designers, Sir Paul Smith is a major figure in the cultural landscape. As a new show at the Design Museum celebrates this singular talent and restlessly creative personality, we went to spend some time with him in his office to get behind some of the headlines.

In this first instalment, Paul talks about the office (which has become such a big part of his brand that it has been recreated at the Design Museum exhibition), how he “curates” it and why so many of the things he hoards have such sentimental value for him. The second part of the interview will be released next week.

A cluttered studio filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves packed with books and objects. A large portrait of a person leans against the shelves, surrounded by piles of fabrics, bags and art supplies.
Above

James Aiken/It’s Nice That: Paul Smith: Up Close and Personal (still)

A person in a dark blazer and striped shirt gestures towards a crowded bookshelf. The shelves are packed with books, notebooks and various small objects in a cluttered room.
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James Aiken/It’s Nice That: Paul Smith: Up Close and Personal (still)

A handwritten note reads “To Paul thank you for my collar Poppy” next to a small paw print. The note is tucked into a bookshelf alongside a roll of patterned blue tape, a blue and white tin, and a stack of books.
Above

James Aiken/It’s Nice That: Paul Smith: Up Close and Personal (still)

A fluffy yellow toy chick stands on a dark plinth, its chest covered in small stickers and a yellow handwritten label. Beside it is a painting of a person with grey hair and a thoughtful expression against a pink background.
Above

James Aiken/It’s Nice That: Paul Smith: Up Close and Personal (still)

A person in a dark blazer smiles at the camera while holding a light pink road bike. They are indoors in a room with bookshelves in the background.
Above

James Aiken/It’s Nice That: Paul Smith: Up Close and Personal (still)

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About the Author

Rob Alderson

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Rob Alderson is a freelance writer, editor and strategist. He was previously editor-in-chief of It’s Nice That and WePresent, and editor of Design Week. He publishes the newsletter Undo, which tries to make sense of how AI is changing design work, the design process and the design industry.

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