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.[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, England, the son of Harold Smith, and is the youngest of three children.[4] One of his early ambitions was to become a professional cyclist.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]
Career
Smith opened his own shop, Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme,[8] 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 grow[clarification needed] 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]
In 1993, Smith took over 1885-established 'workwear' clothing company R. Newbold,[6] 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.[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]
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.[31][32]
2002
Smith worked with Italian furniture designer Cappellini to create a small homeware collection.[33]
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.[34]
2005
Smith teamed up with motorbike manufacturer Triumph, restyling the Bonneville T100 bike.[35]
Smith redesigned the Lasonic i931 boombox, giving it a white look with Smith's trademark multicolour look.[36]
Smith began working with the UK-based boutique cycle clothing retailer, Rapha.[40] 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.[41]
Smith started a collaboration with Anglepoise, reimagining their Type 75 lamp[51] as Edition One; he has since gone on to creating multiple editions.[52]
2015
Smith designed a series of T-shirts in collaboration with the release of David Bowie's final album ★ (Blackstar).[53]
Smith worked with Kask for the first time to design their 'Protone' aero helmet.[54] 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.[55]
2016
Collaborated with the wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd on a limited edition range of bottles.[56]
Smith designed a new version of the cactus-shaped coat stand by Italian furniture designers Gufram.[58]
Edition Three of the Paul Smith & Anglepoise Collaboration was launched.[59]
The second collaboration with Caran d'Ache was launched, adding 8 new colours to the collection.[60]
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.[61]
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.[62]
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.[63]
Smith designed a Mini Electric using sustainable principles, with recycled and natural materials, for example cork.[65] Smith's Mini Strip was designed to break "the unwritten law that even small cars have to be shiny, polished luxury products."[66][non-primary source needed]
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