Is there anything that Paul Smith can’t do? We’re going to go with no. His latest venture – designing a book cover. And not just any book cover – the cover of a one off, first edition copy of Ian Fleming’s The Man with the Golden Gun. A James Bond book, to those not in the know. “Ian Fleming’s Bond books have entertained so many people and have always fascinated me. It is an absolute joy to have the opportunity to host this event in my No. 9 Albemarle Street shop with all the first edition books available for everyone to see,” Paul Smith said. The cover features Mr Bond clad in Smith’s A Suit To Travel In, which, after seeing its usefulness whilst performing a gymnastics routine (see here), it would doubtless be a great edition to 007’s wardrobe. Alongside the book, which will be displayed in Paul Smith’s Albemarle Street store until Sunday, there will also a collection of first edition Ian Fleming Bond novels, loaned from rare bookseller Peter Harrington for your viewing pleasure. These first editions are both very pretty and very expensive – one is £95,000, to give you an idea – good looking, rare and pricey? Our kind of thing, then. Whoever said the best things in life are free? Harrington said of the collaboration – “it has been particularly exciting to see one British icon designing a particularly special book in celebration of another. The finished item is certainly worthy of the Bond legacy, and the evening was a fitting tribute to Fleming’s best-loved creation.”
Paul Smith, 9 Albemarle St, London W1S 4HH
