Iconic British designer Sir Paul Smith will be one of the highlights of the one-day ‘Celebrating British Design’ conference, taking place at RIBA’s London HQ, Portland Place on June 21, hosted by the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID). Other high profile speakers at ‘Celebrating British Design’ include: Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum; Katy Lithgow, Head Conservator of the National Trust; Glenn Adamson, Head of Research at the V&A; Christine Losecaat, Creative Industries Advisor to UK Trade & Investment; Dr Paul Thompson, Rector of the Royal College of Art; Paul Finch, Deputy Chair of the Design Council and Editor-in-Chief of the AJ Architects Journal, and Sue Timney, textile designer, and upcoming President of the BIID. 

Sir Paul will feature in a special ‘in conversation with’ session hosted by renowned BBC presenter, journalist and critic, Rosie Millard. 

“It is a great honour to welcome Sir Paul Smith as a contributor to our ‘Celebrating British Design’ conference,” said Diana Yakeley, BIID President. “Sir Paul is a major standard-bearer for British design internationally, and his sense of style has proved a significant influence not just on other designers but in the world of interiors too. In conversation with Rosie will prove to be an insightful and inspiring session, and a highlight of the day for many delegates.”

One of the most successful British fashion designers of all time, Sir Paul Smith’s clothing label has grown from a small shop in Nottingham to a global, multi-million pound fashion brand. His designs encapsulate classic British style. Today, Sir Paul has a global company with 12 different collections with 14 shops in England and over 200 throughout Japan and a collection wholesaled to 35 countries.

Asking Paul about his views on British design success will be Rosie Millard, who previously worked as Arts Correspondent for BBC News, Arts Editor of the New Statesman and as a theatre critic, design columnist and property guru. Following this session, Sir Paul will be presented with a BIID Honorary Fellowship.

The conference will also include this year’s BIID Honorary Fellowships. Alongside Sir Paul Smith, these will be presented Dr Paul Thompson, Andrea von Einsiedel and Graham Watts. And the BIID’s Annual AGM will take place immediately after the conclusion of the conference.

Tickets for BIID Members cost £110, BIID Student Members: £60 and Non-members: £140. To buy tickets online and find out more information, please visit, www.biid.org.uk/Celebrating.