Glad tidings, darlings. From the balcony of the Punch & Judy pub to the glow of the Apple Store stage in London’s Covent Garden, back in 2017, Mr. Smithers remained unshaken—even on a grim, gusty day—buoyed by a storm of good fortune blowing in from all directions. The latest gust? A front-row moment at the Red Carpet Fancy event inside that iconic Apple space. A slick affair, decked out with some properly famous faces—Ciara turned heads, and JME (we wonder if he enjoys being called Skepta’s brother) brought the vibe.
Smithers held court. London style. No filters. Just real talk and even realer design.
Fancy That – From Collaboration to Centre Stage
The excitement’s got me buzzing—I’m not even sure where to begin. But let’s keep it classic and start at the top.
Back in 2017, we’d been partnering with Fancy.com for a while, and truth be told, it was an absolute blast. So when Joe Einhorn dropped me a line asking if I’d speak at their UK event, I didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah,” I thought. “I fancy that.”
Fancy Shopping – Retro Love Meets App Royalty
Joe Einhorn—the sharp mind behind the Fancy.com shopping app—had been on a mission, taking his stylish retail revolution global.
He hosted a slick series of events, complete with guest speakers (yours truly included), where I got to bang on about my love affair with all things retro. Add a few famous faces to the mix, and only the coolest cities on the map—London, obviously—and you’ve got a recipe for retail magic.
From the Big Apple to Blighty – Fancy.com Goes Global
Naturally, with Apple hosting, the first stop had to be the Big Apple. Joe kicked things off in New York with none other than Emily Ratajkowski—model, actress, and yes, Blurred Lines icon. You get the vibe.
Next stop? Paris, with the effortlessly cool Zendaya along for the ride. And finally, the Fancy tour touched down in our own beloved glory town—London.
Set inside the world’s largest Apple Store, Mrs. Smithers and I rocked up to Covent Garden in style. Though not before we spent a few bizarre hours being chased through London Bridge by zombies. No, seriously. Zombies. Full throttle.
Pint-Sized Panic Before Showtime
In my head, I was Rick. Obviously.
But as the reality crept in, so did the nerves. So we ducked into The Punch and Judy Covent Garden for a couple pints of Dutch courage. From the pub’s balcony, I watched the crowds roll in—hundreds of effortlessly cool kids pouring into that glass temple of Apple brilliance.
And there I was, wondering… why the hell did I agree to this? I’m a wannabe hermit, not a headline act!
Too late. The hour was upon us. Or rather—upon me.
Behind the Green Door
I’ve never set foot in a Green Room before—well, not legally, anyway.
I could spill what goes on behind those mysterious (and surprisingly white) walls, but then I’d have to kill you.
All I remember is this: I walked in feeling like Rocky… and walked out feeling more Pee-wee Herman.
Ciara, Cubes & Casual Legends
To be fair, it was all wonderfully low-key and welcoming. Joe was his usual charming self and introduced us to tech royalty MCJME—armed with a Rubik’s Cube, of course. I’ve never figured those bloody things out.
We met Jack and Joachim from the Fancy crew, proper gents. And just as I was starting to relax, in glided Ciara—graceful, polished, absolute goddess energy, entourage in tow.
Will I ever have an entourage? Probably not. Wife and kids don’t count, do they?
Showtime Madness
Everyone backstage was warm and chatty, but then came that call: time to hit the stage.
Four panel rocking chairs. A sea of terrifyingly stylish Gen Z energy. My knees knocking like faulty plumbing.
It all felt wildly surreal—part fever dream, part career milestone. As I took my seat to whoops and claps, I braced myself for the inevitable moment when security would realise I’d snuck in.
The Gospel of Fancy, According to Joe
Joe kicked off like the pro he is—calm, slick, cool as ever.
He spoke about Fancy.com with the kind of conviction only a founder can. It’s not about what you need. It’s about what you want. And once you want it enough… well, now it’s a need, isn’t it?
Fancy.com was about celebrating the weird, the wonderful, the slightly bonkers. A digital treasure trove for people who got it—and thankfully, back then, you could actually buy it too.
Squeaky Bum Time
Then Joe dropped the Smithers name. The spotlight swung. All eyes on me. Time to talk.
I’d written a speech. Delivered, maybe, eight words of it.
The rest? Freestyle panic. Somehow I babbled through what felt like three hours (it was seven minutes). I definitely heard laughter—with me, I think. When I admitted it was my first time public speaking, the crowd gave me a round of applause… and I swear someone let out a cheeky wolf whistle.
Clearly, humble chaos has its charm.
JME – Skepta’s Brother
JME was up next and obviously a lot more laid back than I was. Like a pro he chatted easily about his love of Fancy.com, sell out gigs, successful siblings in the form of sister Julie, one of three lead DJ’s for Apple’s radio station Beats 1, and of course brother and successful rapper, Skepta (their parents gotta be pretty chuffed). Not forgetting a slight hint of denial when it came to his possible marriage nuptials next year!
Ciara, Accents & a Bit of Vin Diesel on the Side
Ciara slid into the spotlight and absolutely owned the room—effortless, elegant, and just the right amount of cheek. She even gave a British accent a go, which frankly came across clearer than my own ramblings.
She gave a little plug for her latest track, Paint It Black—a bold Rolling Stones cover—and spoke about all things Fancy.com with genuine sparkle. By the end of it, the room was smitten. So was I.
Though let’s be honest—she was clearly having a week. One minute chatting with Smithers in Covent Garden, the next being papped alongside Vin Diesel for The Last Witch Hunter promo.
She was living the dream.
Smithers on Monday. Vin on Friday. Not bad, eh?
An Amazing Ride… and a Six-Foot Fork
As the spotlight shifted and the Q&A kicked in, I finally found my rhythm—though how I ended up talking about our infamous six-foot fork, I’ll never know.
What really floored me was the response after the event. People stuck around, shook my hand, and had lovely things to say about Smithers. Humbled doesn’t even cut it. It was mad, magical, and totally surreal.
And let’s be honest—there’s no better way to come down from all that glitz than with a proper burger and a pint at Sophie’s round the corner. Now that’s real.
Looking Back from 2026: What Fancy.com Taught Us That Still Matters Today
Fast forward to 2026, and so much has changed.
Fancy.com—the platform that once connected us with NBA players, NFL athletes, actors, musicians and television personalities from around the world—has since changed ownership and eventually closed its doors. The app is gone. The digital treasure trove has faded into internet history.
But here’s the thing about great design: it has no borders. And neither do the relationships built along the way.
Many of the connections forged during that Fancy.com era have endured. A number of those celebrity clients have returned over the years, commissioning bespoke furniture and interior pieces time and again. They didn’t come back because of an app. They came back because of the craft. The quality. The story behind every piece.
That 2017 night at the Apple Store wasn’t just a moment—it was a milestone. It cracked open a door that had never been opened before. It taught me that I could stand in front of a room full of strangers and speak from the heart (even if I only delivered eight words of my carefully written speech). It taught me that Smithers could hold its own alongside global names and global brands.
And it taught me that the best partnerships aren’t about platforms—they’re about people.
From Red Carpets to Rattling Bones in 2026
These days, you’re just as likely to find Smithers pieces in a cosy family home in the Cotswolds as you are in a penthouse overlooking Manhattan. We’re still furnishing London restaurants, still shipping custom-made statement pieces overseas, and still doing what we’ve always done: creating furniture that people remember.
Speaking of things people remember—back at Smithers HQ in 2026, the Halloween spirit is alive and well. Our beloved bony pal, Mr. Mort Ality, the anatomical full size bronze skeleton model with serious character, is still turning heads. He made his way to Texas back in the day and he’s still getting rave reviews. Creepy enough for October, stylish enough for all year round. That’s the Smithers way.
The Takeaway: Fancy.com May Be Gone, But the Story Lives On
Would I rank Fancy.com today? No. The domain is dead. The traffic is zero. There’s no SEO value in chasing a ghost.
But the story of Fancy.com? That’s priceless.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest breaks come from the most unexpected places. A partnership with a shopping app. A last-minute speaking invitation. A pub balcony in Covent Garden. A Rubik’s Cube-wielding rapper. A goddess-like Ciara. A six-foot fork that somehow became the talk of the Q&A.
That night in 2017 put Smithers on a map we didn’t even know existed. And nine years later, in 2026, we’re still here—still crafting, still creating, still telling stories through wood, metal, and design.
Fancy.com gave us a stage. But we built the legacy.
And the best part? We’re only just getting started.
Let’s Create Something You’ll Remember
Inspired by the story? Ready to bring a piece of Smithers into your own home, restaurant, or project?
Whether you’re looking for a statement piece that sparks conversation, a bespoke cabinet crafted to your exact specifications, or simply want to chat about how we can bring your vision to life—we’d love to hear from you.
Here’s how to get in touch:
Smithers Studio – Shoreditch, London
Custom & Bespoke Furniture and Neon Sign Design
89–90 Paul Street,
EC2A 4NE
Call us: 0207 8890077
Get in touch today and let’s make something unforgettable.
“Great design has no borders. Neither do we.”
— The Smithers Team, 2026
