Diploma Students Visit Paul Smith's Studio

It was not unlike Willy Wonka whirling that group of children around his chocolate factory when Sir Paul Smith led a happy gaggle of Condé Nast College students around his warren of a headquarters in Covent Garden. The textile designers, the shoe people, the denim experts, the bright young things in charge of Smith’s gigantic sunglasses and socks business – his whole happy extended family in fact – were cheerfully on hand to talk to and inspire our students. Their affection for their boss was visibly palpable and the seemingly ego-free Smith credited his loyal team members at every turn with all of their parts in the smash hit fashion label. Best of all was all of his fantastically inspiring advice and tips about how to succeed in business – the sort of advice that the students have since said they will hold dear for the rest of their lives. My favourite bit? Permission to rootle at will in his wonderful ephemera filled office – joy!