Paul Smith (fashion designer)
Sir Paul Brierley Smith CH CBE RDI (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.[1] Smith was made a Royal Designer for Industry in 1991.[2]
Paul Smith
- Paul Smith
- PS Paul Smith
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. His brand's fluorescent pink flagship store in Los Angeles is recognized for its uniqueness and eccentricity.[3]
Career[edit]
Smith opened his own shop called Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme[8] 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.[9]
'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.[10]
The first Japan store opened in Tokyo in 1984, growing over the years to 165 stores across the country.[11]
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.[12]
In 1993, Smith took over 'workwear' clothing company R. Newbold[6] (established in 1885) 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.[13] In 2010, Smith launched 'Paul Smith Junior' as a seasonal collection which often included remakes of his adult collections.[14]
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.[15]
Smith published his first book, You Can Find Inspiration in Everything, in 2001.
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]
In 2019, Smith made a cameo appearance in the film Men in Black: International; he also designed the suits in the film.[20]
His company remains independent, the majority owned by Smith.
Smith has won numerous awards, including:
Smith was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1994 New Year Honours for services to fashion.[27] He was knighted in the 2000 Birthday Honours[28] and appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to fashion.[29]
