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Tying in art with fashion retail is its most cynical, a ploy to lure people into stores to sneak a peek at what is a real art exhibition but of course getting some bonus sales through visitors is the sideline aim.  However, that would be a joyless way of looking at things and if Paul Smith wants us to take a wee trip to his Mayfair store on Albelmarle Street to see the first London exhibition [2] dedicated to Gian Paolo Barbieri [3], the longtime Vogue photographer, I'm not going to poo poo it. 

Ok, ok, cynical jest aside, Paul Smith really does choose exceedingly good (not sure why I just likened the tone there to Mr Kipling's cakes [4]...) people to collaborate with on his many in-store exhibitions and I genuinely believe Mr Smith likes to showcase his art tastes and share them with everyone, whether they are prospective customers or not.  This time round, the Barbieri [5] images below from the total of fourteen that are on display at the Paul Smith store, are quite alluring and are prompting me to make time for a Mayfair walk-about.  The shot of Angelica Huston (above left) taken in 1973 is particularly stunning and is making me want to seek out more images of the young Huston.            

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