Paul Smith (fashion designer)

Sir Paul Brierley Smith (born 5 July 1946) is an English fashion designer.

His reputation is founded on his designs for men's clothing, but his business has expanded into other areas as well.

Smith was born in 1946 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of Harold Smith, and is the youngest of three children.

One of his early ambitions was to become a professional cyclist.

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.

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.

His eponymous fashion company was founded in 1970 and has expanded into over 70 countries, selling its products via standalone stores, departments in high-end stores or malls, along with airport terminals, as well as the e-commerce section of its international website.

Some of his brand's stores are recognized for their uniqueness and eccentricity, including the much-photographed vibrant, fluorescent pink flagship store in Los Angeles.

Smith opened his own shop called Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme in Nottingham in 1970, which sold established clothing labels, alongside pieces that Smith had designed.

The store was just 3 square metres and was located at 6 Byard Lane in Nottingham.

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 grow and he opened his flagship London store in 1979 on Floral Street in Covent Garden, London.

The first Japan store opened in Tokyo in 1984, growing over the years to 165 stores across the country.

Smith opened his first shop in New York on Fifth Avenue in 1987.

The company now has four shops in the state, the flagship on Greene Street as well as Williamsburg, Bleecker Street and Brookfield Place.

His childrenswear collection started in 1990 with the launch of a one-off collection for boys, including casual and tailored pieces.

Smith was made a Royal Designer for Industry in 1991.

'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.

In 1993, Smith took over 'workwear' clothing company R. Newbold (established in 1885) and incorporated many of their designs into his new collection.

Smith was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1994 New Year Honours for services to fashion.

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.

He was knighted in the 2000 Birthday Honours and appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to fashion.

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

Smith designed a Mini that was produced in a limited edition of 1,800 cars.

Smith worked with Italian furniture designer Cappellini to create a small homeware collection.

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.

Smith teamed up with motorbike manufacturer Triumph, restyling the Bonneville T100 bike.

Smith published his first book, You Can Find Inspiration in Everything, in 2001.

The brand launched its e-commerce site in 2004.

In 2010, Smith launched 'Paul Smith Junior' as a seasonal collection which often included remakes of his adult collections.

In 2013, Smith designed and made a school tie for Beeston Fields Primary School in Nottingham.

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.

In January 2016, Smith combined his men's and women's fashion shows, showcasing during Paris Fashion Week.

In 2019, Smith made a cameo appearance in the film Men in Black: International; he also designed the suits in the film.

His company remains independent, the majority owned by Smith.

Smith has won numerous awards, including: