Smith founded his company in 1970, and it has since expanded to more than 70 countries. The brand sells clothing and accessories through both physical shops and online retail. Its fluorescent pink flagship store in Los Angeles has become a widely photographed landmark for people who want to take selfies.[3]
Early life
Paul Smith shop on King Edward Street, Leeds2007 Paul Smith suit, merino wool with pink windowpane checkPaul Smith shirt showing the company's signature striped patternMini by Paul Smith, 1997Interview with Paul Smith about the exhibition 'Hello, My name is Paul Smith'Maggie's Centre Nottingham, designed by Piers Gough. Smith helped design the interior.Paul Smith Boutique, Las Vegas
Smith was born in 1946 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, the youngest of three children of Harold Smith.[4] One of his early ambitions was to become a professional cyclist.[5] He left school at the age of 15 and began work in a Nottingham clothing warehouse, continuing to train as a cyclist. At 17 he was involved in a serious accident that kept him in hospital for nearly six months. During his recovery he was introduced by friends to the world of art and fashion, which shaped his later career.[6] Cycling remained an influence on his design work throughout his career. Smith later took classes in tailoring and began working with the Savile Row tailor Lincroft Kilgour.[7]
Career
Smith opened his first shop, Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme, in Nottingham in 1970. The shop, located at 6 Byard Lane, measured only three square metres and sold a mix of established labels alongside Smith’s own designs.[8]
In 1976 he presented his first menswear collection in Paris, featuring a combination of casual and semi-formal clothing. Three years later, in 1979, he opened his flagship London store on Floral Street in Covent Garden.[9]
Smith launched his first womenswear line, Paul Smith Women, in 1993, following demand from female customers who had been buying smaller sizes of his menswear.[10]
In 1993, he acquired the long-established workwear label R. Newbold, founded in 1885, and incorporated its styles into his own collections.[6]
In 1990, Smith introduced a one-off collection for boys, which marked the beginning of his childrenswear range.[13] In 2010 this developed into the seasonal line Paul Smith Junior, often including child-sized versions of adult pieces..[14]
In 1995, the Design Museum exhibited 'True Brit', a show marking 25 years of his business. The exhibition later travelled to Glasgow for the 'Festival of Design' and then moved to his hometown of Nottingham and was put on display in Nottingham Castle.[15]
Smith published his first book, You Can Find Inspiration in Everything, in 2001.[citation needed] The brand launched its e-commerce site in 2004.[16] In 2013, Smith designed and made a school tie for Beeston Fields Primary School in Nottingham.[17]
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.[18] In January 2016, Smith combined his men's and women's fashion shows, showcasing during Paris Fashion Week.[19]
The company remains majority-owned by Smith. In 2006 Itochu bought a 40% stake in Paul Smith.[21][22][23]
Awards
Smith has received a wide range of awards during his career. He was named Designer of the Year at the GQMen of the Year Awards for four consecutive years. [24] In 2010 he received the Condé Nast Traveller Innovation and Design Award, shared with Anya Hindmarch.[25] The following year he was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards 2011.[26]
In addition to industry honours, Smith has been recognised by professional bodies. He holds an Honorary Fellowship of the British Institute of Interior Design.[27] In 2015 he was included in GQ's 50 best dressed British men.[28]
In February 1997, Smith was made an honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham in recognition of his contribution to fashion and his ties to the city.[32]
In October 2024, a Nottingham Express Transit named tram numbered 230 after Smith. Other local figures honoured in this way include football manager Brian Clough, footballer Mary Earps, actress Vicky McClure, and cricketer Stuart Broad.[33]
Smith has collaborated with a wide range of companies and cultural institutions across fashion, design, sport and media.
Automotive and transport
In 1997, Smith designed a Mini that was produced in a limited edition of 1,800 cars.[34][35] He later returned to the brand in 2021 with the Mini Electric using sustainable principles, with recycled and natural materials, for example cork.[36] Smith also designed the Mini Strip, an electric model created with recycled and natural materials, intended to demonstrate sustainable design principles.[37][non-primary source needed] He also worked with Triumph Motorcycles, restyling the Bonneville T100 in 2005 [38] and with Land Rover in 2016 on a bespoke Defender.[39] In 2018 he collaborated with James Turner of Sports Purpose to cover a 1965 Porsche 911 with multicoloured stripes; the car went on to appear at Le Mans Classic and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.[40]
Furniture, interiors and product design
Smith has undertaken a number of projects in furniture and interiors. In 2002 he worked with Cappellini on a small homeware collection,[41] and in 2006 collaborated with Mercian Cycles on a series of bicycles.[42] He also designed seating for Broadway Cinema in Nottingham that year.[43] In 2014 he began a collaboration with Anglepoise, reimagining the Type 75 lamp as “Edition One”; further editions followed in 2016 and 2018.[44][45][46] He has also produced designs for Gufram, creating a new version of its cactus-shaped coat stand in 2016.[47]
Fashion, textiles and accessories
Smith’s textile and fashion collaborations include his long-running partnership with US brand Maharam, which began in 2003,[48] and work with Rapha, the cycle clothing company, from 2007.[49] In 2010 he collaborated with Burton Snowboards, adding his signature stripe to boards and apparel.[50] In 2012 joined with John Lobb to produce a series of Oxford, derby and loafers.[51] He has also worked with Kask to design cycling helmets (2015, 2018),[52] with Caran d’Ache on two editions of its “849” pen (2015, 2016),[53][54]and with Berry Bros & Rudd on a limited wine collection (2016).[55] Further accessories projects included limited edition eyewear with Cutler & Gross in 2018 in tribute to his close friend Tony Gross.[56] The same year Smith collaborated with the Globe-Trotter by redesigning their 20" trolley case to celebrate its 120-year anniversary first showcased at the Salone del Mobile.[57]
Smith has designed uniforms, kits and accessories for major sporting events. He created a jersey for the start of the Tour de France in London in 2007,[64] designed suits for the Manchester United team in 2009,[65] and in 2013 produced the leader’s jersey for the Giro d’Italia, including the Maglia Rosa.[66] He also worked with New Balance in 2018 to mark the 30th anniversary of its 576 sneaker, creating footballs and boots in his trademark stripe pattern.[67]
Technology
In 2005 Smith redesigned the Lasonic i931 boombox, giving it a white look with Smith's trademark multicolour look.[68] In 2012 Smith partnered with Leica to release a limited-edition version of the Leica X2 camera.[69]
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