British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith has been carving a reputation as a commercial menswear designer for over three decades.
The Nottinghamshire born businessman left school at 15 with dreams of being a racing cyclist. Unfortunately for Smith, a biking accident at 17 put an end to his childhood ambition instead pulling his life towards an unexpected turn. It was then that the foundations of a fashion empire were born.
Devastated by the incident, Smith made some unlikely contacts during a stint in hospital which gave him the opportunity to pave the way for a new pursuit. The company that we see today is a finely tuned machine with Smith still sitting comfortably at the helm.
Developing as a tailor during the late sixties, he was assisted by his then-girlfriend, Pauline Denyer, a fashion graduate at RCA before he was eventually spotted by Lincroft Kilgour chairman Harold Tillman.
By 1970, Smith had opened his own boutique on Byard Lane in Nottingham, married Pauline and his menswear collection hit the catwalk at Paris fashion week by 1976. Though Smith eventually relocated his flagship store to London’s trendy Notting Hill, he became an overnight sensation with his Mod-inspired selection of fine men’s clothing.
Paul Smith has always encouraged individuality, specialising in bespoke tailored suits in tweeds and luxurious wool blends with smart colourful shirts, polo tops and knitwear that unintentionally echoed the spirit of Carnaby Street during the 1960s. His similarities to other designers such as Fred Perry, Ted Baker and Ben Sherman propelled him towards high street popularity as his creations became wearable for every day.
Smith eventually moved on to design Paul Smith shoes, accessories and fragrances even producing a line of women’s wear in the 2000’s. Keen to maintain the role of both a designer and a retailer Smith plays closely to his winning formula – classic, quirky and fairly traditional with an added eclectic twist.
Selecting his own production methods, fabrics and shop locations, Smith accepted a knighthood in 2000 and graciously volunteered to help design posters and signs for the 2012 London Olympics.
Sir Paul Smith is a hard-working, dedicated businessman who has upheld the same tradition values since his turning point all those years ago. He may never get to have the racing career he always wished for but Smith is still riding higher than ever, leaving a trail of dust alongside his important legacy within the fashion industry.
Love the jacket. Would pair it with nice slim fit button down, knit tie, and skinny denim jeans, and while sole moc boots