Designer Paul Smith has collaborated with The Rolling Stones to create a limited edition vinyl for the band’s new album, Hackney Diamonds, as well as a collection of t-shirts.
Paul is a longtime friend and supporter of Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, making him a strong choice to design an exclusive vinyl for the band’s first studio album in 18 years.
The Rolling Stones x Paul Smith exclusive vinyl design references the album’s title – itself a nod to East End slang for broken glass – with a photoprint rendering of smashed glass. Photoprints themselves have been a Paul Smith hallmark since the 1980s, when the designer pioneered the use of them in clothing.
Incorporating the band’s signature colour – red – the vinyl sleeve also utilises Paul’s distinctive handwriting for the band name and track list. The vinyl itself features a sticker with a reworking of The Rolling Stone’s iconic tongue logo with Paul’s well-known Signature Stripe.
To complement the release of the vinyl, Paul Smith has also designed a selection of collectable 100% organic cotton tees featuring the exclusive vinyl print, as well as a version with a print of the reinterpreted Signature Stripe tongue logo front and centre.
“I consider it an incredible honour to work with Mick, Keith and Ronnie on this exciting collaboration – as a brand, we’ve always had a close relationship with the music business, and I count The Rolling Stones as one of my all-time musical heroes,” commented Paul. “As well as being a fan, I’m also lucky enough to be able to call the band friends. It goes without saying that Hackney Diamonds is a phenomenal album, with a fearless spirit. For this launch, I wanted to create something that stayed true to the vision that the band set out – with a few subtle Paul Smith ‘twists’, as we call them.”
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter and @licensing_source on Instagram.
