The visit took place on 21 October at his Covent Garden studio, where Sir Paul personally hosted the group and gave a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of his creative world.
Students from across Fine Art, Graphic Design, and Textiles were selected for the visit, chosen at random from a pool of those who had registered their interest. Originally, the School had invited Sir Paul to deliver a guest talk in Loughborough, but due to his busy schedule, he generously extended an invitation for the group to visit him in London instead.
During the visit, Sir Paul took the students on an inspiring tour of his offices, sharing stories about his work, creative process, and career. They explored a range of departments, including design, accessories, leather goods, footwear, and materials, as well as spaces dedicated to the design of his global retail stores.
A particular highlight of the day was stepping inside Sir Paul’s personal office – a vibrant room brimming with books, curiosities, and artefacts collected over the years. Among the treasures were framed photographs of Sir Paul alongside Harrison Ford, Claudia Winkleman, Paul McCartney, and even King Charles.
The students described the day as “inspiring and unforgettable”, gaining invaluable insights into one of Britain’s most iconic creative icons.
The School would like to extend its sincere thanks to Sir Paul Smith and his team for their generosity and hospitality, and we look forward to exploring future opportunities to continue our relationship.