Paul Smith interview

With a penchant for the inspirational and the eclectic, it's no surprise that the British capital is Sir Paul Smith's favourite city. Here he talks about the individuality and creativity that gives London its cutting edge, and lets us in on a few of his favourite London hotspots.

Paul on… visiting London

'There's a wider, more open-minded view on life in London than in other capital cities, which tend to be more formal, more tunnelled in approach. London is a city of extremes - its variety is fantastic - so it's very exciting to visit especially if you explore its quirkier aspects.'

… London's museums & galleries

'My hobbies are photography, art and architecture, so I regularly go to exhibitions - at public galleries, such as the Royal Academy and National Gallery or at modern commercial galleries, the White Cube, Timothy Taylor and the big new Gagosian Gallery, for instance. I also enjoy browsing around the more traditional, commercial galleries in Cork Street and Albemarle Street.

'The Design Museum has interesting and thought-provoking exhibitions ranging widely from architecture to product design. It's also in a lovely riverside area called Shad Thames, worth exploring for Sir Terence Conran's restaurant, Le Pont de la Tour, in the shadow of Tower Bridge.'
To find out more about Britain's museums and galleries, visit our Museums & galleries pages.

… Notting Hill

'This area has such a buzz now. There are some great little cafés and delis around Elgin Crescent and wonderful bookshops - Blenheim Books, which specialises in design, Travel Bookshop (now famous thanks to the movie Notting Hill) and Books for Cooks - in Blenheim Crescent. Most Friday mornings I browse around Portobello Market for antiques and collectables. On Saturdays the market is great for vintage clothes and people watching - it's where designers go for inspiration.'

To find out more about Notting Hill, visit our Notting Hill destination guide.

… Relaxing in London

'Away from work, I enjoy relaxing with friends at the River Café. It serves exceptional Italian food and, in summer, you can eat outside by the Thames. I'm also very fond of The Ivy and Le Caprice restaurants but tables are highly sought after, so you should always book ahead. And for pre-theatre suppers, I can't resist the eggs Benedict at Joe Allen or the food at Orso, both in Covent Garden.

'The Wolseley Café - converted from a car showroom - has a grand interior and a lively buzz. It's centrally located and opens from 7am to midnight so you can get great food any time of day. I also like Moro where I can eat tapas at the bar, and I'm a big fan of gastropubs. The Eagle was one of the first to serve great pub grub. You get good roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at the Windsor Castle and Tom Conran has put The Cow on the map.'

To find out more about Britain's restaurants, visit our Food & drink pages.

… Shopping in London

'Designer-label stores can be found in any capital city today. That's why I find London's one-off, individual shops so interesting and unique. Story in Spitalfields, for example, is owned by a stylish, young couple with a very good eye. It sells a mix of vintage and new clothing, unusual jewellery, soaps and linens. You never know what you'll find. One week they'll have amazing tablecloths; the next day it's army bags or Victorian jewellery.

'You can find wonderful vintage furnishings at Themes & Variations, while Labour & Wait is a hardware store selling simple but beautiful designs - watering cans, cotton aprons, enamel mugs. And, if you're after the latest cool sounds, go to Rough Trade in Talbot Road - on Saturdays it's as vibrant as a nightclub.'

To find out more about shopping in Britain, visit our Shopping pages.

…Entertainment in London

'The Almeida and Donmar Warehouse show interesting new plays before they reach the West End theatres, while the Soho Theatre specialises in work by young writers. And if you enjoy art films, go to the beautifully restores Electric Cinema, with its brasserie and coffee-shop, or The Gate Cinema in Notting Hill.'

… London's architecture

'London's skyline has changed dramatically over the last 10 years. Go and stand on Tower Bridge and see the contrast between modern landmarks and more traditional buildings in the financial district. Or walk along the South Bank to Tate Modern, then cross the river using the Millennium Bridge and marvel at the architectural mix.

'That's the joy of London. It provides opportunities for architects, designers, restaurateurs and retailers to be brave or odd or lateral-thinking - and for visitors to tap into all that creative energy. Whoever coined the phrase 'Swinging London' got it exactly right, you know.'

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