Paul Smith & David Bailey: Two British Icons Prove Dyslexia Isn’t a Diagnosis — It’s Almost a Stamp of Genius.

By Kristina Moskalenko

Explaining who Paul Smith is? Easy. Just show anyone his legendary print — those 28 bold, multicolored vertical stripes that have become synonymous with his name.

You’ll spot those stripes everywhere: on designer clothes and scarves, sure — but also on countless souvenirs from China: mugs, keychains, iPhone cases. That’s the first sign of true cult status.

But stripes aren’t all Sir Paul’s known for. Photography? That’s another passion he’s mastered.

To dig into this shared obsession, Paul caught up with another living legend — photographer David Bailey — in his Bloomsbury studio.

If Bailey’s name doesn’t ring a bell, just Google it. What’ll pop up? An endless archive of portraits capturing the best and brightest of the past fifty years. Celebrities caught looking less like untouchable stars and more like your slightly eccentric cousins — a signature Bailey move.

At their meeting, Paul presented Bailey with a signature scarf, naturally. Bailey returned the favour with a joint portrait for Interview (seen above). Then the two settled in on the sofa for a no-holds-barred, heart-to-heart — with just the right amount of old-timer grumbling.

David Bailey: So, you’ve opened a pretty nice shop in Mayfair.

Paul Smith: Oh really? Thanks! I’m actually planning to open two more — one in each of London’s airports. Though, honestly, it’s getting harder these days. There are so many security regulations to navigate now. No room for spontaneity anymore, which is a bit of a shame.

David Bailey: You wouldn’t say that if you walked into the boutique in Mayfair.

Paul Smith: Appreciate that, sir.

David Bailey: And don’t forget, I’m just telling the damn truth here! I’m not as polite as you.

Paul Smith: Well, in our industry…

David Bailey: In your industry. I don’t belong to any industry. I actually hate that word.

Paul Smith: I get it. Independence is a privilege, really. People are always surprised that a company this big is still owned by the guy whose name’s on it.

David Bailey: You know, sooner or later every brand ends up in the hands of accountants. Look at Gap — swallowed whole by some corporation and heading downhill fast. So you better keep a close eye on your company while you’ve still got your fifteen minutes of fame.

Paul Smith: Wasn’t that Andy Warhol’s line? Though, of course, he didn’t mean literally fifteen minutes — more like a window of time you’re given.

David Bailey: Yeah, Warhol pinched most of his ideas from Marshall McLuhan. Just the other day I bought one of McLuhan’s books for my staff.

Paul Smith: I’ll give it a read if I get a day off.

David Bailey: I’d rather take some Valium. Can’t remember the last time I slept more than four hours straight. Insomnia’s bloody awful.

Paul Smith: Well, David, your fifteen minutes have lasted way longer than most. You’re ridiculously enduring! I’d like to think I’m not far behind — I’m no quitter myself.

David Bailey: If I start backing up, I’ll probably just bang into everything blindly. (They laugh.)

Paul Smith: That photo of the Kray twins on your wall — I love it. Though I’m a bit worried you might want to check my pockets when I leave.

David Bailey: That one? Worth eighty grand.

Paul Smith: I’ve got a wide coat on today.

David Bailey: Well, I’ve only got five prints left of that photo. It sold like hotcakes.

Paul Smith: It’s a damn good shot. When did you start taking pictures?

David Bailey: When I was eight.

Paul Smith: You had a camera that young?

David Bailey: Nah, but my mum let me borrow hers. Before that, I was drawing. My sketch of Bambi even won some national prize or something. But snapping photos? Way faster than dragging a pencil across paper.

Paul Smith: So you started with drawing…

David Bailey: Because I’ve got dyslexia.

Paul Smith: No way! Me too. Lots of people do, actually.

David Bailey: Not that many — about ten percent.

Paul Smith: I’m actually head of the Dyslexia Association in Nottingham! Funny thing is, I can’t even spell the word properly.

David Bailey: How do you know you’ve got dyslexia? Try spelling “dyslexia” right now!

Paul Smith: Hell, it’s even hard to pronounce it. I had to give a speech for the association recently — couldn’t get two words out right. Dyslexia’s a funny thing. Loads of creative types suffer from it.

David Bailey: Before the ’80s, no one even knew what dyslexia was. People just thought, “Yeah, you’re an idiot.” What’s worse is when other idiots think you’re an idiot. Now it’s this middle-class trend: “Oh, my Jimmy’s a little dyslexic because he can’t spell right.” But really? He’s just a little dumb shit. You can’t be “a little dyslexic” — that’s like being “a little dead.”

Paul Smith: Sometimes it gets frustrating, yes. You get exhausted trying to keep it all under control — your mind just keeps jumping around.

David Bailey: You’re doing three or four things at once, and not really finishing any of them.

Paul Smith: Exactly. That’s why I’m always working.

David Bailey: And that’s why you never finish anything — because you’re busy with something else.

Paul Smith: Here’s a new one: I went into the bathroom, flushed the toilet, then realized I hadn’t actually gone. I was just so desperate to get out.

David Bailey: Happens to me all the time, especially when I’m watching TV. I sprint around during the commercials so I don’t forget what I was watching.

Kristina Moskalenko (INTERVIEW correspondent, jumping in): Gentlemen, let’s circle back to photography. Paul, you shoot your own advertising campaigns, don’t you?

Paul Smith: Many, yes. I wouldn’t say I’m a pro, but I at least know exactly how my advertising images should look — more real, closer to life.

INTERVIEW: And how did you get started?

Paul Smith: My dad gave me a little Kodak Retinette. My first photo was a gate across the street made from two cart wheels. I took it to a local photography club contest and scored 11 out of 20. I think they just gave me a point for every year I’d lived — I was eleven. Later, photos became my diary since writing was hard for me. Lately, I’ve been shooting mostly on my phone — it’s easier: just pull it out of your pocket, snap, and done.

INTERVIEW: What advice would you give to a beginner photographer?

David Bailey: If they need advice, they should find something else to do! You need passion for any craft.

Paul Smith: I agree. It’s the same with design — just another designer doesn’t cut it, you need a point of view, a strong opinion. And Bailey’s is damn powerful.

David Bailey: You’ve got to have a personal philosophy. Mine is to strip away all the layers until the lies are gone. Take photography: I have Jean Shrimpton or Kate Moss for that. Why the hell do I need some stupid palm tree, tacky wallpaper, or some door? Even when I shot the Queen, I said right away: no crowns or thrones, just a plain white background. The Queen’s already beautiful enough.

Paul Smith: And how hard she works!

David Bailey: We got on really well. Usually, she gives five minutes for meetings, but I got half a day. I told them I don’t work any other way. (Smirks) When the Queen saw the portrait, she asked if she could use it as her official birthday picture.

Paul Smith: Or for her CV if she decides to change jobs. (They laugh)

INTERVIEW: So you actually told the Queen what to do?

“If I’ve got Jean Shrimpton or Kate Moss for a photo, why the hell would I need some bloody palm tree or stupid wallpaper?”

David Bailey: Of course. The shoot itself took me about ten minutes. But before that, I spent two hours talking with her.

Paul Smith: Bailey’s uncompromising. Even when he started and everyone was shooting “like Cecil Beaton” — with sets and backdrops — he just photographed people on the streets and in phone booths. And to the critics, he said, “Don’t like it? Don’t work with me.”

David Bailey: Otherwise, I wouldn’t let the camera out of my hands for a second. I’d never do what editors want — not even my girlfriend Anna Wintour. I quit fashion in the ’80s. Got sick of dealing with hysterics and magazines.

Paul Smith: And all that high-and-mighty entourage.

David Bailey: The stupidest people. Art director? Why would I need an art director? I make my own books. Forty of them, no problem.

Paul Smith: I’ve only got eight! Time to get the checkbook out and grab a couple more.

David Bailey: I respect very few people in art and fashion. And I only agreed to this shoot because of you, Paul. You’re the best guy in town! Honestly, I admire people in blue scrubs going to Guinea to fight Ebola. They deserve the glory, not some soppy pop singer who takes a two-day trip to Africa and thinks he’s saving the world.

Paul Smith: I really admire people who do everything from the heart. I swim every morning, and there was a man who used to go at the same time. For two years, we just said hello, and then recently he asked me, “Excuse me, are you Mr. Paul Smith?” “Yes.” He said, “My daughter studies at the Royal College of Art. I saw a photo in her book and realized it was you.” Bailey, he asked me after two years! I also asked him what he does, and he said, “I do heart surgeries on children.” I was speechless. He’s operated on 9,000 children’s hearts, sometimes ones this small. (He shows half a finger.) A simple, quiet hero. No showboating. When I tell this story, it gives me goosebumps. An amazing person. Our world should learn from people like him.

David Bailey: And the sooner it does, the better — otherwise, there’s not much time left. Remember Easter Island? They lived fine, had enough resources, but then overpopulation happened and everything collapsed. The Earth will face the same fate around 2050. There’s no more room. Not enough water.

Paul Smith: And they keep drilling for something. What happens when the oil runs out? We’ll have to live with conscience and set an example for others.

David Bailey: That’s all you can do. Unless you want to tie your willy in a knot and tie the whole world up as well.

Paul Smith: Well, maybe… (They both laugh.)