Paul Smith doesn't mince his words. As the guests of GQ Heroes 2024 saw today, 25 minutes can touch upon everything from a lifelong friendship with David Bowie to Andean minerals to Daniel Day-Lewis ' biker boots to Notting Hill in its pre-Foxtons creative zenith. At our sixth annual convergence of style, culture and ideas at Soho Farmhouse, the UK's most fun designer was on form ( as is tradition ) in conversation with GQ 's Global Editorial Director Will Welch.
Five minutes before going onstage, Paul Smith was already limbered up. He's just debuted his latest collection in Pitti Uomo , the historic Florentine menswear trade-show-turned-show-and-tell. “It was very interesting, because it was a brave move [for us] after having a fashion show twice a year for 40 years in Paris .
It just felt correct for my company, and for me. “The normal show schedule is getting bigger and bigger and bigger, and more and more extravagant and costlier. If anyone can do anything more personable, it's probably me: I'm still the owner, and still the main guy.
" The main guy is known for oscillating between funny bits and an almost mystical recall of his collections from 30 years ago. “Standing up in front of invited guests and just talking through 16 of the outfits had people coming up and saying ‘wow, that was so much more interesting’. Because shows are wonderful.
But people don't tend to really look at them anymore; they're just using their camera, and it's quite impersonal.” Paul S.
