UP IN THE AIR: To celebrate its History of Travel campaign, which launches today, Smythson has unveiled an airplane model made entirely from items in its Panama accessories collection. Commissioned for the flagship New Bond Street store, the sculpture was made by the British artist Billie Achilleos, and is composed of more than 100 handcrafted leather products.
The model will be on show in the boutique’s window until late August, and will travel to other stores later this year. The store's ground floor “grotto” area also houses a collection of travel pieces from Smythson’s archives, ranging from Bon Voyage cards to a grooming kit from 1906.
The plane itself is inspired by a bespoke invitation from 1932 discovered in Smythson’s archives. Designed for the Maharaja of Jodhpur, it has a Staggerwing airplane on its face. “This is the first time I’ve actually worked with a plane,” said Achilleos. “It’s also the first time I’ve worked with something motorized.”
The moving propeller, which has been made using 25 Panama paper and leather notebooks, will add motion to the suspended plane to convey the perception of flight.
Smythson’s other boutiques will also showcase propeller models during the season.
The plane also marks the launch of the newly updated Panama collection of handbags and accessories, in a palette that includes charcoal, cognac and berry for the autumn/ winter 2014 season.
