A couple of weeks ago I went to see Hello, My Name Is Paul Smith, an exhibition at the Design Museum celebrating the designer’s career so far and showcasing his designs and influences. Paul is famously quoted as saying, “You can find inspiration in everything… and if you can’t look again.” I agree, but some things inspire me more than others. They include, but are not limited to…
Travel
There is nothing I find more inspiring than travelling. Spending time somewhere new awakens my senses in a way that doesn’t happen in my day-to-day life. As well as taking hundreds of photographs, I like to collect cards to remind me of the hotels, restaurants and shops I’ve visited along the way (see the image above for cards I’ve picked up in Australia, LA, Lisbon, Paris and San Francisco).
In my twenties New York inspired me more than anywhere else, more recently Australia moved the the top of my inspiring places to travel list. I’m desperate to go back.
Films
Earlier this week, I took myself off to the cinema to see Chef, a film written, directed and starring Jon Favreau, about Carl Caspar, a disillusioned chef who quits his job, launches a food truck and goes on the road with his son and best mate. I left the cinema feeling thoroughly inspired… not least to start my fantasy food truck business.
Sofia Coppola is my go-to director when I need an inspiration boost.
Books
As a little girl I was something of a bookworm, to the point where my mum would bribe me to do things I didn’t really want to do with the promise of a new book. I’m not too fussy about what I read, happily switching between novels, autobiographies and life guides, and I have a weakness for books about fashion, photography and cooking. My love affair with books started as soon as I could read and, despite my love of all things online, shows no sign of waning.
Haruki Murakami is my favourite author, I love spending time in the off-kilter worlds he creates.
Magazines
I’ve been a magazine addict for as long as I can remember. Some I keep intact, for example I have issues of Vogue dating back as far back as the early 1990s, organised into date order (when it comes to my magazines I am a bit of a geek). Others get recycled, but not before I’ve ripped out interesting articles and inspiring images. They get filed into themed folders or saved, ready to be turned into vision boards or stuck into scrapbooks.
I can happily spent hours flipping through old copies of Vogue or the latest issue of Condé Nast Traveller and I’m waiting excitedly for issue 3 of Cherry Bombe, a lovely magazine about women and food.
As well as travel, films, books and magazines, blogs and websites that combine beautiful images and great writing, exhibitions focussing on designers, photographers or film directors that give you a real insight into their world and people who are passionate about what they do inspire me too.
What inspires you? Any books I need to add to my reading list, magazines I should track down or movies I simply must watch? Do share in the comments section below!
I am with you on all of the above- books before I could even read, they are my escapism especially on the morning commute. I have collected Vogue for over ten years and I always buy one in any country I visit. Flicking through old issues never gets boring, and now I have my own home Elle Deocation is a sharp competitor! Another one for me is the great British countryside, all that fresh air and green open space just clears my mind!
Oh and Paris. Always Paris.
I love the idea of picking up a copy of Vogue in every country I visit Anna! And yes, Elle Decoration provides endless inspiration when you’re planning a home project. Getting out into the countryside is a great way to the clear the mind, I don’t do it often enough!
Adore that quote. Adding to my bank of inspirational words!
Totally agree with you on all your points, I was also a book worm and it was definitely used against me by my parents!
What’s the book in the image? It’s gorgeous!
The book is called Beauty In Bloom, A Collection Of Beautiful Inspirations by the founder of Bloom Cosmetics, Natalie Bloom. I bought it a couple of years ago on a trip to Australia!
Miranda, have you watched Beasts of the Southern Wild? if not it is one of the most inspiring (if not heartbreaking) films I have ever seen x
I haven’t seen Beasts Of The Southern Wild Hannah. I just had a read about it online, it sounds wonderful, thank you for recommending!
Your photo with the travel notepad (where is it from) and the cards from restaurants inspire me ! Seriously, when I see pictures put together like this, it makes me want to spend more time learning how to do it. Thank you !
Aw, thank you Stéphanie, Rock My Style’s Adam was behind the camera! The notebook is from Smythson, it was a present from my lovely colleagues before I left to go travelling last year.
You may want to watch this film alone Miranda. I cried like a baby xx
Noted! x
It’s true sometimes you just need to switch on to finding inspiration in unlikely places. I am currently reading ‘A girl is a half-formed thing’. It’s hard to get your head around and it’s taking me much longer to read than a book of the size would but reading should make your brain work harder for the better sometimes I think. (P.S. recommended by my mother who always finds great books that push the senses)
Great post, Miranda! Have you read any Maria Semple? A friend lent me her books this spring and I love them — she was a TV writer for shows including Arrested Development, and her books have a bit of that zaniness to them. Very enjoyable. x