Holland Park and it has been since the Eighties. Our home is something that is very important to me. It’s a home, not just a house.
Where do you stay in London?
Claridge’s of course — it’s an overused word, but it is truly iconic. Even before visiting I’d heard so much about its history, that as soon as I stepped into the polished revolving doors I knew I was entering somewhere very special. I first stayed about 25 years ago but had been going there for drinks or dinner for some time before that. I’m not a big drinker but tea in the Reading Room is a great treat for anyone visiting London. My wife Pauline and I have been together since I was 21 but we still like to go on dates. Claridge’s is somewhere we love to go, particularly if we’re celebrating.
Claridge’s
Where was your first flat in London?
Growing up as a kid in Nottingham, music was initially the reason I’d come down to London — for gigs. So before I had a flat here I remember crashing on the floor of a mate’s house when Notting Hill Carnival first started in 1966. At that time London was so full of creative energy.
What was your first job in London?
I’d come down for a few days and would go out to different gigs every night. Sometimes I’d print up a few T-shirts back home and bring them with me to the gigs and try to sell them to people in the audience. Any money I’d make would go towards paying for the petrol to get me down. Does that count as a job?
Home of the ultimate collector: Sir John Soane’s Museum
Alamy
Where would you recommend for a first date?
An afternoon visiting some of the city’s brilliant museums like Tate Modern, the National Gallery or the Royal Academy and then a pint in one of our great pubs. There is also Sir John Soane’s Museum, which is a must for anyone visiting London date or not. It’s probably one of my favourite museums in the whole world. It’s wonderful because it’s just this mad, eclectic mix of pieces collected by Soane himself. He was a traveller and was someone who just loved collecting objects and artefacts from all over the world.
Which shops do you rely on?
My flagship shop on Albemarle Street in Mayfair; I work a shift nearly every Saturday. Poilâne bakery for the best bread. We have so many different markets in London. Portobello is great for vintage clothes, Columbia Road is famous for its flowers. Borough is one of my favourites.
I’d encourage everyone to keep their phones in their pockets as they’re walking around the streets and look up
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I’d encourage everyone to keep their phones in their pockets as they’re walking around the streets and look up. The city has some of the most amazing architecture in the world — you just have to look up and see it.
Who is the most iconic Londoner in history?
My late dear friend, David Bowie.
Bill Nighy
Dave Benett
What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
I was mistaken for my friend Bill Nighy and another time the cabbie was certain we played golf together, but I have never played golf.
Have you ever had a run-in with a London police officer?
No run-ins but I have stood in for one on a grid-locked Saturday afternoon in Notting Hill where I stepped in to direct the traffic.
Where do you go to let your hair down?
Sitting in my car at 6am after my swim at the Royal Automobile Club, listening to the Today programme on Radio 4. Ideally it would be pouring with rain and I’d have the heating on full blast.
Paul Smith and his wife Pauline in 2011
Dave Benett
What’s your London secret?
The view from the roof of my studio in Covent Garden to the Civil Aviation Authority building.
Everything! I have a very large collection of many objects… art, bicycles, vinyl, toys, photographs and my collection of miniature rabbits from my wife Pauline — she gifts me one as a good luck charm before each one of my fashion shows.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
Planning and designing for our autumn/winter 2025 season. I have also been busy designing this year’s Claridge’s Christmas tree. It was an honour to be asked and we worked with artists Nik Ramage and Studiomama to bring my playful vision to reality. It’s quite mad.
What’s your favourite work of art in London?
Works by the artist James Lloyd. He was the first recipient of my wife’s scholarship from Slade Art School.
My wife, Pauline. Everything that I learnt about fashion, design and tailoring is from her.
Paul Smith has designed the 2024 Christmas tree for Claridge’s