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Paul Smith’s introduction into fashion
was completely accidental. At the age of 16, with no career
plans or qualifications, Paul Smith was propelled by his
father into a menial job at the local clothing warehouse in
his native Nottingham. However his real passion was sport and
his ambition was to become a professional racing cyclist,
until aged 17 years when cycling-mad Paul was in a terrible
accident. Six months in hospital followed and during this time
Paul made some new friends. After leaving hospital he arranged
to meet them again and by chance the meeting place was a local
pub that was popular with the students from the local art
college. They talked of Mondrian, Warhol, Kokoshka, David
Bailey and listened to the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis and
much more. It was then Paul knew he wanted to be a part of
this colourful world of ideas and excitement. Within two
years, Paul Smith was managing his first boutique in
Nottingham and with the encouragement of his girlfriend
Pauline Denyer (now wife) and a small amount of savings,
opened a tiny shop in 1970. Paul started to take evening
classes for tailoring and with the help of Pauline (an RCA
fashion graduate), Paul was able to create what he wanted. By
1976 Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris under
the Paul Smith label. Within 20 years of his introduction to
fashion Paul Smith had established himself as the pre-eminent
British designer. Paul Smith has the ability to anticipate,
and even spark off trends not only fashion but in the wider
context of popular culture. He manages to transmit a genuine
sense of humour and mischief mixed with his love of tradition
and the classics. Today there are 12 different collections;
Paul Smith, Paul Smith Women, PS by Paul Smith, Paul Smith
Jeans, Paul Smith London, R.Newbold (Japan only), Paul Smith
Accessories, Paul Smith Shoes, Paul Smith Fragrance, Paul
Smith Watches, Paul Smith Pens and Paul Smith furniture and
‘things’. Paul Smith rugs, china, spectacles and fragrance are
made under license. Designed in Nottingham and London, the
Paul Smith collections are primarily produced in England and
Italy while the fabrics used are mainly of Italian, French and
British origin. In 2002 Paul Smith collaborated with
Cappellini to create the Mondo collection of furniture
inspired by observation and travel. In 2003 Paul designed an
upholstery textile in partnership with Maharam, called
‘Bespoke’, which was inspired by classic pinstripe suiting.
The Paul Smith shops reflect the character of Paul and his
designs, an unmistakable Englishness augmented by the
unexpected. The shops house the Paul Smith collections and an
extensive selection of jewellery, books, art, antiques and an
array of interesting and beautiful products. Work of British
designers is often showcased alongside Paul’s personal
collections of art or curios. Paul Smith is global - the
collection is wholesaled to thirty five countries and has
fourteen shops in England. Paul Smith shops are found in
London, Nottingham, Paris, Milan, New York, Hong Kong,
Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Kuwait, U.A.E. –
and over two hundred throughout Japan. Paul remains fully
involved in the Japanese business; designing the clothes,
choosing the fabrics, approving the shop locations and
overseeing every development within the company. Paul Smith
also has impressive and diverse showrooms in London, Paris,
Milan, New York and Tokyo. Paul Smith continues to be an
integral part of the company; he is both designer and
chairman. Paul Smith is continually involved in every aspect
of the business and as a result, Paul Smith Limited retains a
personal touch often lost in companies of a similar size.
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