Raven Smith: Inside My Métier
Inside My Métier
18 September 2026
Raven Smith is a London-based writer and cultural commentator, known for his sharp observations on the absurdities of modern life. Who better, then, to inaugurate Inside My Métier – a new series about the practical, sentimental and occasionally strange things that earn a place in our bags.
Raven is the author of Raven Smith's Trivial Pursuits (2020) and Raven Smith's Men (2022), and a regular columnist for Vogue and The London Times' Style magazine.
For the debut installment of Inside My Métier, Raven reveals the contents of his tote – from his pen of choice to a pound coin from Gibraltar.
What's one thing you never leave home without?
Mints. My keys. I take losing stuff quite personally so I'm very conscious of what I'm carrying and do the Asda pat every 20 minutes.
What's the least practical thing you insist on carrying?
Emotional baggage.
Is there anything in your bag that has sentimental value?
A pound coin with a neanderthal skull from Gibraltar on the tails side means a lot to me.
What's your notebook, pen, or diary of choice?
I like a Berol felt tip pen, which is actually quite pretentious on reflection.
What object in your bag says the most about you?
My driver's license (haha). I used to permanently carry sunglasses in my party era just in case the all-nighter turned into daytime too.
What's the strangest thing that's ever ended up in your bag?
I always get a plane picnic in the British Airways lounge before a flight, psychotically foraging bananas, crisps, and mini cans of diet coke.
THE PASSERBY
A classic tote with organisational details inside, handcrafted in Italy.
