Automatic for the People

Paul Smith releases a special R.E.M. capsule collection
By Alex James Taylor | Fashion | 11 November 2017

Marking the 25th anniversary of R.E.M.’s seminal record, Automatic for the People, designer and ultimate music fan Paul Smith has created a special capsule collection.

The limited edition line-up includes woven scarves, silk pocket squares, canvas tote bags and graphic T-shirts, and features graphics from the Automatic for the People album artwork, song lyrics and promotional photos of the band taken by renowned Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn. Plus, an exclusive run of screen-printed posters featuring the renowned album artwork have also been produced.

“It’s been such a joy to collaborate with Michael and the R.E.M. team,” Smith exclusively told us. “It’s been a really creative partnership and fantastic to be a part of. Music merchandise takes many and varied forms, but we wanted to work on something extra special. For example, we could’ve just printed the images onto scarves, but instead we chose to go the effort of hours spent setting up a special loom to weave Anton Corbijn’s amazing photographs into cashmere scarves. It was worth every minute!”

Boasting singles Everybody Hurts and Man On The Moon, the 1992 album became one the Georgian band’s most iconic LPs and has currently sold over eighteen million copies worldwide. Speaking of the Paul Smith collaboration, frontman Michael Stipe said: “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. “

The Paul Smith & R.E.M. collaboration is available to purchase now from key Paul Smith shops including London, New York, Paris and online.


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