Sir Paul Smith, CBE, RDI, (born 5
July 1946 ) is an English fashion designer, whose business and
reputation is founded upon his menswear. He is both commercially successful and
highly respected within the fashion industry. Smith was knighted by Queen
Elizabeth II in 2000, after nearly three decades as a menswear icon. At the age of 16, with no career plans or qualifications, Paul Smith was
propelled by his father into a menial job at the local clothing warehouse in
his native Nottingham . However his real passion was
sport and his ambition was to become a professional racing cyclist, until aged
17 years when cycling-mad Paul was in a terrible accident. Six months in hospital followed and during this time Paul made some new
friends. After leaving hospital he arranged to meet them again and by chance
the meeting place was a local pub that was popular with the students from the
local art college.
They talked of Mondrian, Warhol, Kokoshka, David Bailey and listened to
the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis and much more. It was then Paul knew he wanted
to be a part of this colourful world of ideas and excitement.
Within two years, Paul Smith was managing his first boutique in Nottingham and with the
encouragement of his girlfriend Pauline Denyer (now wife) and a small amount of
savings, opened a tiny shop in 1970. Paul started to take evening classes for
tailoring and with the help of Pauline (an RCA fashion graduate), Paul was able
to create what he wanted. By 1976 Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris
In business for over 40 years Paul Smith had established himself as the
pre-eminent British designer. Paul Smith has an ability to anticipate, and even
spark off trends not only fashion but in the wider context of popular culture. He
manages to transmit a genuine sense of humour and mischief mixed with his love
of tradition and the classics.
Today there are 14 different collections; Paul Smith for men and women,
PS by Paul Smith, Paul Smith Jeans, Paul Smith London, R.Newbold (Japan only),
Paul Smith Black, Paul by Paul Smith, Paul Smith Accessories, Paul Smith Shoe. Paul
Smith rugs, china, spectacles and fragrance are made under license. Designed in
Nottingham and London England Italy
The Paul Smith shops reflect the character of Paul and his designs, an
unmistakable Englishness augmented by the unexpected. Each and every Paul Smith
shop is totally different, from a shocking pink building with movie set styling
on Melrose Avenue, LA, to a Japanese garden at the heart of the Jingumae store
in Tokyo. Each shop is a showcase for diverse and eccentric objects
complementing the clothing collections with an extensive selection of jewellery,
books, art and antiques.
Paul explains his eclectic aesthetic: "We're a leading and uniquely
British brand. We mix up one-off antiques with high quality tailoring: the
chair you sit on when you buy a suit is for sale and we can wrap the suit and
have the chair waiting for you when you get home."
Paul Smith is global - the collection is wholesaled to 66 countries and
has 17 shops in England. Paul Smith shops are found in London, Paris, Milan,
New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Antwerp, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan,
Korea, U.A.E. – and over 200 throughout Japan. Paul remains fully involved in
the Japanese business; designing the clothes, choosing the fabrics, approving
the shop locations and overseeing every development within the company. Paul
Smith also has impressive and diverse showrooms in London, Paris, Milan, New
York, and Tokyo.
Paul Smith continues to be an integral part of the company; he is both
designer and chairman. Paul Smith is continually involved in every aspect of
the business and as a result, Paul Smith Limited retains a personal touch often
lost in companies of a similar size.
In 2007, Smith began working with the UK based boutique cycle clothing
retailer, Rapha. Smith designed a range of cycle clothing in association with
Rapha, including a jersey to celebrate the rare start of the Tour de France in
London. Since May 2008, Paul Smith has written a fashion blog for Vogue.co.uk. Paul
Smith provided suits for the Manchester United team in 2009.
In 2011, Paul Smith redesigned the Lasonic i931 boombox, giving it a
white look with Smith's trademark multicolour look.
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