Inside the amazing multicoloured world of Paul Smith

Darlings ... I've only just recovered from a momentous week - flitting between press shows and launches in a fabulous fashion frenzy. Jaeger, Karen Millen and Joules all launched forthcoming Spring Summer 14 collections this week, Hacketts newly fitted store opened on London's Regent St and the busy week culminated in a Thursday evening launch of the Design Museum's fashion exhibition; Hello - My name is Paul Smith. 

A discreet and pin sharp crowd of design intelligentsia gathered to hear Mr. Smith open the exhibition with his usual cool yet understated approach.

Inside the head of the inspirational Mr Paul Smith

Arranged in a series of tall white rooms - the exhibit was anything but  colourless. Entering through the tiny space that replicated Paul Smith's first shop in Nottingham, we were led into an amazing hall which was tall by contrast. The walls were covered in inspiration images that have likely also papered the inside of Mr. Smiths head for over 25 years. Jam-packed with tearsheets, paintings, drawings and artwork - every inch of space was covered. My eyes darted from frame to frame not knowing where to rest - it was plain simple sensory overload, Dear Readers! Intensely overwhelming and mesmerising, Miss Mannequin is rarely transfixed: the keen crowd around me obviously felt the same. More was to follow.....

who needs wallpaper with walls this inspiring?

A recreation of both Paul's personal office and his design team's studio had desks, shelves and walls literally spilling out their cornucopia of random creative objects everywhere. Stunned by the sheer abundance of it all we were rooted to the spot by the sudden youthful appearance of Mr. Smith himself. Bounding in, he launched into an unexpected and impassioned explanation of some the workings of the studio. Humble and earnest in his approach, he showed us how the brand developed the famous striped designs (not as you would imagine on a computer) and how they took old reference images and transformed them into the famous contemporary prints that his clients worldwide love. It was obvious that he is not a remote head of his empire - but an enthusiastic and essential part of the team's creativity.

Sir Paul explains his design ethos

 

On and on the show went - cars, shoes, cycling accoutrements, radios - all swirling and vying for attention in a kaleidoscopic explosion of colour: a gallery of his eponymous clothing designs (shown on bustforms donated by my mates over at proportion london) and a video explaining how one of Sir Paul's fashion shows is put together - we were reeling at the overall richness of the event. 

Amongst the glitterati I spotted Sir Terence Conran, Ron Arad, Alice Rawsthorne and Neville Brody. I shook hands with the man himself and we chortled at how empty and stark his office must look at present; what with the contents being despatched away for the show. 

Somehow with Sir Paul's magpie instinct I doubt his office will be empty for long; filling up again fairly quickly and refuelling his imagination for some time to come....I do hope so.

Miss Mannequin left the show a happy and tipsy dolly - from the champagne you ask?......no, from the feelgood factor all that colour and inspiration imparts. 

The turbo-charged Paul Smith mini - go faster stripes never looked so good!

Mad-cap design hoarder Paul Smith rifles through his eclectic treasure trove

Paul Smith's crowded office

The exhibition: Hello my name is Paul Smith runs until March 9th 2014
for more details click on this link

For more information on proportion london bust forms visit: proportionlondon.com

HIS NAME IS PAUL SMITH

                   

Hello Darling readers, I must tell you I am barely able to control my excitement for a fabulous exhibition my dear chums – proportion london are involved in; ‘HELLO MY NAME IS PAUL SMITH’ is being held at the Design Museum on November 15^th (only two more days left, eeek!)

I for one cannot wait to step inside the world of the legendary fashion designer and stand in awe of such fine suits and clothing, of course i will  do a follow up post but in the mean time I shall leave with you a little light reading from proportion london...

        

Adding to the celebration of the work by seminal British fashion designer Paul Smith, proportion>london are thrilled to have been invited to collaborate with the Design Museum in the making of the exhibition ‘HELLO MY NAME IS PAUL SMITH’ through sponsorship of a range of bespoke tailor’s forms and mannequins.

Showcasing the work of this legendary designer and celebrating the excellence of a quintessentially   British brand; this exhibition has been many months in the making and as lovingly crafted as one of Sir Pauls own celebrated suits.

As a company, proportion>london have been honoured to have been associated with Paul Smith for over 15 years; proudly supplying this respected client with bust forms, mannequins and display equipment which embodies his witty take on retail clothing presentation. Like the brand, we pride ourselves in innovative ideas; well executed, using quality materials and manufactured to the highest standards. We also share our client’s belief in UK production and local artisan skills, still choosing to manufacture the vast majority of our product in Walthamstow, North London, using traditional techniques, with talented craftspeople of exceptional skill and dedication.

Over the years we have grown to know the Paul Smith team well, rising to the challenge of furnishing them with traditional yet contemporary bespoke display figures and visual merchandising equipment which we believe characterises their product and adds to the wit and ingenuity of the brand presentation. Our shared backgrounds and principles make the relationship that little bit more special!

The unique DNA of the Paul Smith world is captured perfectly in this exhibition; which will later travel world-wide as proud ambassador not only of the brands originality and style, but also of British design, skill and workmanship.

 

  

      

      

Image courtesy and copy right of Paul Smith

 



                      

For tickets and further information on the exhibtion please visit the Design Museum website 

http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2013/paul-smith 

For bespoke tailor forms please visit the proportion london website

http://proportionlondon.com/bg2-14-154-Bespoke-tailoring  

A true sale bargain - two for the price of one!

Filling up the lazy days betwixt Christmas and the new year (whilst the showroom boiler has been malfunctioning) has been something of an ordeal I can tell you Dear Reader. A few short personal window appearances aside (well I wouldn't usually do sale, but the lack of radiator action drove me out), I also took the opportunity to visit a number of fabulous exhibitions and see some truly spectacular shows.

Sales are actually quite vulgar in Miss Mannequin's opinion, But take a tip from me (And I like to think I'm in the know), for a genuine 24-carat SALE bargain. The Design Museum just south of Tower Bridge is currently showing two great exhibitions, FOR WHICH THEY WILL CHARGE YOU ONLY ONCE!

"John Pawson - Plain Space" (open until 30th January) is a super insight into the projects of this brilliant architect who defined a style and set the pace for so many interior designers and stylists who followed. His influence even tipped over into the fashion arena where minimalistic clothing following his strictly outlined aesthetic.

Alongside houses and retail spaces, his redoubtable skills saw the conception and build of an astounding monastery in the Czech Republic and outdoor structures, most notably the Sackler crossing in Kew Gardens. Simplicity, clarity and a decisive vision can be clearly detected in the many designs and models on show. Miss Mannequin peeked over the dinky back fence of his Georgian London house and was delighted by the opportunity to take an eye-squinting Gulliver style tour of his home without getting caught in the act!



Miss Mannequin  stood on tippy toe and peered over the back fench to bring you this exclusive snap of the inside of John Pawson's house.
(Note: no smelly old rubbish sacks languishing in his back garden!)

Downstairs meanwhile,the "Drawing Fashion" exhibition (which ends 6th march) further thrilled Miss M, with a divine history of the illustrative art of fashion plates from the early 20th century masters through the golden age and forward into the current millenium. Erte, George Lepape and Rene Grau originals were on show, alongside those of many, many other notably talented illustrators.

Videos further enhanced the experience; François Berthoud's awesome lino prints for McQueen and Antonia Lopez speaking from his studio particularly caught my attention. Looking forward; Miss M adored new work by Aurore de La Morinerie.

Go see and grab this true bargain BOGOF (that's buy one get one free to you)!

Let me know which other exhibitions caught your eye this year.

So until next year, toodle-pip and happy hogmanaying

Miss Mannequin

x

Casa del Bottere - scale model of the chapel

(My Blue Peter models never looked this good! - Miss M)

Casa del Bottere scale models - to test light effects at different times of day