Paul Smith (fashion designer)

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Sir Paul Brierley Smith<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Post-nominals (born 5 July 1946) is an English luxury fashion designer. His reputation is founded on his designs for men's clothing, but his business has expanded into other areas as well.<ref name="Design Museum">Template:Cite web</ref> Smith was made a Royal Designer for Industry in 1991.<ref>Template:Cite web Template:Dead link</ref>

His eponymous fashion company was founded in 1970 and has expanded into over 70 countries, selling products via stores, malls, and airport terminals, together with a website e-commerce section. His brand's fluorescent pink flagship store in Los Angeles is a tourist destination for people who want to take selfies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life

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Paul Smith shop on King Edward Street, Leeds

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2007 Paul Smith suit, merino wool with pink windowpane check

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Paul Smith shirt showing the company's signature striped pattern

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Mini by Paul Smith, 1997

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Interview with Paul Smith about the exhibition 'Hello, My name is Paul Smith'

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Maggie's Centre Nottingham, designed by Piers Gough. Smith helped design the interior.

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Paul Smith Boutique, Las Vegas

Smith was born in 1946 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of Harold Smith, and is the youngest of three children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> One of his early ambitions was to become a professional cyclist.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He left school at the age of 15 to work in a Nottingham clothing warehouse, while practising cycling outside of work hours. He cycled to and from work until the age of 17, when he was in a major cycling accident that put him in hospital for close to six months. During his recovery, friends inspired him to enter the world of art and fashion.<ref name="Sowray">Template:Cite news</ref> Smith has regularly referenced cycling in his work over the years. He started to take classes in tailoring and eventually began working with a Savile Row tailor, Lincroft Kilgour.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Career

Smith opened his own shop, Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in Nottingham in 1970, selling established clothing labels, alongside Smith's own designs. The shop, located at 6 Byard Lane in Nottingham, was just three square metres floor area.

In 1976, Smith travelled to Paris to showcase his first men's collection, which featured a mix of casual and semi-formal wear. After that the Paul Smith brand continued to growTemplate:Clarification needed and he opened his flagship London store in 1979 on Floral Street in Covent Garden, London.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

'Paul Smith Women', his first womenswear collection, was launched in 1993, after reports of women coming into his stores buying smaller sizes to wear themselves.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The first Japan store opened in Tokyo in 1984, growing over the years to 165 stores across the country.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Smith opened a shop in New York City on Fifth Avenue in 1987, expanding four shops including the flagship on Greene Street as well as Williamsburg, Bleecker Street and Brookfield Place.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1993, Smith took over 1885-established 'workwear' clothing company R. Newbold,<ref name="Sowray"/> and incorporated many of their designs into his new collection.

His childrenswear collection started in 1990 with the launch of a one-off collection for boys, including casual and tailored pieces.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2010, Smith launched 'Paul Smith Junior' as a seasonal collection which often included remakes of his adult collections.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1995, the Design Museum exhibited 'True Brit', a show marking 25 years of his business. The show then went on to Glasgow for the 'Festival of Design' and then moved to his hometown of Nottingham and was put on display in Nottingham Castle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Smith published his first book, You Can Find Inspiration in Everything, in 2001.Template:Citation needed The brand launched its e-commerce site in 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2013, Smith designed and made a school tie for Beeston Fields Primary School in Nottingham.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2016, Smith's second book, Paul Smith's Cycling Scrapbook, was released: it documents a personal history of the sport about which he is passionate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2016, Smith combined his men's and women's fashion shows, showcasing during Paris Fashion Week.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2019, Smith made a cameo appearance in the film Men in Black: International; he also designed the suits in the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The company remains majority-owned by Smith. In 2006 Itochu bought a 40% stake in Paul Smith.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Humber">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Awards

Smith has won numerous awards, including:

Designer of the Year four years in a row at the GQ Men of the Year awards.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Along with Anya Hindmarch, the Condé Nast Traveller Innovation and Design Awards, in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Outstanding Achievement Award, British Fashion Awards 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Honorary Fellowship of the British Institute of Interior Design.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Named one of GQ's 50 best dressed British men in 2015.<ref name="gq2">Template:Cite news</ref>

Smith was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1994 New Year Honours for services to fashion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was knighted in the 2000 Birthday Honours<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to fashion.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

Local recognition

Smith was made an honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham in February 1997.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2024, a Nottingham tram numbered 230 was named after Smith, a practice common to other local celebrities Mary Earps, Vicky McClure, Brian Clough and Stuart Broad.<ref>Sir Paul Smith makes revelation as Nottingham tram named after him Nottinghamshire Live 16 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024</ref>

Partnerships and other business pursuits

Template:Prose Smith has been involved in multiple collaborations and partnerships over the years, including:

1997

Smith designed a Mini that was produced in a limited edition of 1,800 cars.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2002

Smith worked with Italian furniture designer Cappellini to create a small homeware collection.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2003

Smith's first collaboration with Maharam, the US textile brand, originally used in one of his suit designs; the two continue to work together on new ranges.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2005

Smith teamed up with motorbike manufacturer Triumph, restyling the Bonneville T100 bike.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Smith redesigned the Lasonic i931 boombox, giving it a white look with Smith's trademark multicolour look.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

For the 60th anniversary of Penguin Classics, Paul Smith was asked to choose and redesign one cover: he chose Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2006

Smith and Mercian Cycles collaborated on a series of bicycles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Smith designed the chairs in screen 4 at Broadway Cinema, Nottingham.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2007

Smith began working with the UK-based boutique cycle clothing retailer, Rapha.<ref name="Rodale2007">Template:Cite journal</ref> 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.<ref name="nyt">Template:Cite web</ref>

2009

Smith was the third designer, following Jean-Paul Gaultier, to redesign a bottle for Evian water.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Paul Smith provided suits for the Manchester United team.<ref name="gq">Template:Cite web</ref>

2010

Smith worked with Burton Snowboards, including adding his signature stripe to boards and apparel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2011

Smith designed four limited edition prints to mark the release of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2012

Smith joined Leica to design a limited edition Leica X2 camera.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Curated by the Isle of Man Post Office, Smith designed a set of stamps to mark the launch of the London Olympics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Smith joined boot-maker John Lobb to create a series of Oxford, derby and loafers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2013

Smith was the official designer of the T-shirt for the David Bowie album 'The Next Day'.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Smith designed the leaders' jersey for Giro d'Italia including the Maglia Rosa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2014

Smith started a collaboration with Anglepoise, reimagining their Type 75 lamp<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as Edition One; he has since gone on to creating multiple editions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2015

Smith designed a series of T-shirts in collaboration with the release of David Bowie's final album ★ (Blackstar).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Smith worked with Kask for the first time to design their 'Protone' aero helmet.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2018 a second helmet was released.

The first collaboration between Paul Smith & Caran d'Ache launched 10 colours of their '849' pen. They went on to work together again in 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2016

Collaborated with the wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd on a limited edition range of bottles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Smith collaborated with Land Rover to design a bespoke Defender.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Smith designed a new version of the cactus-shaped coat stand by Italian furniture designers Gufram.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Edition Three of the Paul Smith & Anglepoise Collaboration was launched.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The second collaboration with Caran d'Ache was launched, adding 8 new colours to the collection.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2018

For the 120th anniversary of Globe-Trotter, Smith collaborated with the company by redesigning their 20" trolley case; it was first showcased at the Salone del Mobile.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Celebrating 30 years of New Balance's 576 sneaker (trainer), Smith redesigned with his iconic stripe design, along with a series of footballs and football boot.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In tribute to his close friend Tony Gross, the company collaborated with Cutler & Gross on a limited edition collection of eyewear for his spring/summer 2019 show in Paris.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Smith worked with James Turner of Sports Purpose to cover a 1965 Porsche 911 with multicoloured stripes, which went on to compete at Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Festival of Speed.<ref>

2021

Smith designed a Mini Electric using sustainable principles, with recycled and natural materials, for example cork.<ref name="auto-mot-">Template:Cite web</ref> Smith's Mini Strip was designed to break "the unwritten law that even small cars have to be shiny, polished luxury products."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Non primary source needed