MY LIFE IN TEN… Sir Paul Smith
THE LEGENDARY DESIGNER TELLS US HIS PASSIONS AND WHAT INSPIRES HIS WORK
1. Dieter Rams is one designer I’m particularly passionate about and I’m lucky enough to own many pieces of his work, including the radio and record player he designed for Braun.
2. I’m proud of the upholstery fabrics I recently designed with Maharam: Songbird and Wool Check. They cover furniture in my showroom.
3. I always carry a notepad and pen with me to write things down as they come to me. A camera is handy too; it captures the moment.
4. I love The Conran Shop, not just for the furniture but the stationery and inspiring range of products you find there.
5. We regularly feature the work of new makers in my Mayfair shop, most recently a collaboration with the young mixed media artist Joy Yamusangie on a series of vases.
6. A design object that means a great deal to me is a toile on a miniature mannequin that my wife Pauline created for me. It is very delicate and has a special place in my busy office.
7. I don’t use a computer and write everything on pieces of paper. The only websites I visit are newspapers on the ipad when I’m on holiday.
8. I decided to write my book to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Paul Smith. I chose the 50 design objects featured in it spontaneously to tell part of the story. The book also features stories supplied by friends I have worked with.
9. I live near the Japanese Kyoto Garden in Holland Park and visit it as often as I can. The colours are fantastic all year round.
10. The work of Mexican architect Luis Barragán is endlessly inspiring for me. His style is a big inspiration for my pink shop in Los Angeles.