R.E.M’s Automatic for the People is turning 25, the age I pretend to be. Unlike me, though, the album has aged gracefully – the 1992 opus, which crystallised feelings of hopelessness and loss, of celebrity and mortality, feels as relevant, and important, now as it did back then. In celebration of the album’s milestone, Paul Smith has teamed up with the band on a special capsule collection that combines Smith’s designs with Anton Corbijn’s original album art and Michael Stipe’s lyrics across a collection of scarves, tote bags and t-shirts.
“Automatic for the People is one of those albums that everyone can remember where they were when they heard it for the first time. I remember, I had it on cassette tape and was driving through Saint-Paul de Vence in France with my wife Pauline beside me,” Paul told 10. “We were on our way to visit Galerie Maeght and La Colombe d’Or hotel. All these years later, it’s wonderful to be able to collaborate with Michael on the band.”
Michael added: “We’re thrilled to work with Paul Smith, Anton Corbijn’s photos, and my lyrics from Automatic for the People to create something very 2017.” Last night, he joined bandmate Michael Mills in Paul’s Albermarle Street store to celebrate the launch of the collection, which is available now.
