Simon Rawlings

As Creative Director of David Collins Studio, Simon Rawlings has overseen the realisation of some of the world’s most iconic hospitality, residential and retail spaces. In the course of two decades at The Studio, he has collaborated with clients such as Harrods, Alexander McQueen and Mandarin Oriental, both in reinventing prominent buildings and establishing important new landmarks.

Working on projects across the globe, in a myriad of sectors that spans residential projects (private homes and commercial residences), hotels, restaurants and bars, furniture design, and luxury food and fashion retail design, Simon has been instrumental in setting the blueprint for The Studio’s work, which combines a near-obsessive attention to detail with virtuoso use of colour as a means of crafting mood through environment.

A passionate believer in "creating luxury through quality", he has always been a committed advocate of craft, supporting artisanship while encouraging design innovation. Functionality remains a cornerstone of his design philosophy. This, combined with a profound understanding of brands and an acute sense of the way people live, enables him to design spaces they can use and inhabit in total harmony.

Born in Wales, Simon studied Interior Design at Birmingham University where he gained both his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. He joined David Collins Studio in 1997 and was appointed Creative Director in 2007, overseeing the creative output of The Studio. Mindful of the importance of nurturing new talent, he now devotes considerable energy to mentoring and teaching.

Simon draws inspiration from everyday observation and from his travels. Under his tenure, David Collins Studio has received more than thirty high-profile awards, including the Prix Versailles 2016 for Alexander McQueen, Paris and The Best Bar In The World 2013, 2014 & 2015 for the Artesian at The Langham, London. He remains committed to the belief that –
‘The clarity of an idea ensures the longevity of a design’.