Paul Smith and his favorite briefcase which he brings along for some escapism in case a meeting gets boring.
Familiar faces gathered at The International Herald Tribune’s tenth luxury conference where personalities such as Karl Lagerfeld, Christopher Bailey, the Missonis and Diego Della Valle were part of the impressive line-up. While their views were inspiring and even reassuring – that craftsmanship and heritage are important keys to success – Paul Smith gently observed – as he did at the same conference eight years ago – that travelling is not what it used to be. Todays shop tend to look the same all over the world, when travelling used to be an adventure.
The designer own approach to globalization has been to act global and think local. While his Parisian boutique is located in a old café with both its name and scruffy interiours intact his Los Angeles store is situated in a large, pink bunker which on the inside resembles a film set. As the luxury industry is colonizing the emerging markets at a staggering pace his views were a welcome reminder of the industry’s role in local cultures.
“If fashion wants to be relevant people have to learn to think different, that is my best advice…Stop doing things that are logic. Logic is predictable,” said Paul Smith.
Ralph Lauren’s take on thinking differently : A digital lightshow on their New Bond Street façade which marked Ralphlauren.com’s 10th anniversary. “Merchentainment” is what David Lauren dubbed the house’s ventures into the digital age where a magazine and even a tennis clinic have helped create brand awareness across the globe.
