'I'd probably just die one day on the job!" is what Sir Paul Smith says when asked if he is ever looking to retire. "Not today I hope, although it is quite comfortable on this sofa. When I retire would be when I feel like I can't contribute to the business any more.
But at the moment, I hope and still think I can contribute. Or you can ask Michael [from my team], I'll keep my ears closed." For fans of the British fashion brand Paul Smith, this statement surely rouses a hurrah.
Speaking from a private, cream-coloured lounge in the high towers of Park Hyatt, the personable designer and brand founder was in Bangkok two weeks ago to celebrate the opening of his latest flagship store in Central Embassy. Situated on the 2nd floor of the mall, the gallery-esque boutique offers both male and female lines of clothes and accessories, as well as a drool-worthy collection of colour block aroma candles. At the centre of the store stands a maroon 3m by 3m cubic frame, evoking the size of the very first Paul Smith store which opened in Smith's hometown, Nottingham, in 1970.
This is not the founder's first time in Thailand, although this visit barely constitutes 48 hours. "My travel schedule is quite mad -- I'm here for a day," he laughs. As can be expected of any larger-than-life fashion doyen always jet-setting somewhere, upon touching down in Bangkok Smith explored Pak Klong Talad flower market, spared Elite a few minutes for an interview, graced his store opening in the evening and gave .