Paul Smith

by Paul Smith (Primary Contributor), Tony Chambers (Editor)

These carefully-chosen objects have impacted Sir Paul's worldview, creative process, and adherence to a design approach that's imbued with distinctly British wit and eccentricity. Every featured item illuminates a different aspect of the designer's work and leads to discussions on subjects as varied as the formality of a suit, the importance of teamwork, and the power of humor. The book's colorful cloth cover takes its inspiration from yarn wound around card, which, as well as being one of the 50 objects chosen by Sir Paul to feature in the book, also shows how he creates his famous and iconic stripes. Exploring everything from Sir Paul's very first show in Paris and his cult Floral Street store in London, to the evolution of his iconic stripes and his most recent collections and collaboration, this book provides the ultimate insight into the world of one of the most creative minds working in design today.

264 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 1, 2052

About the author

Paul Smith English fashion designer

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.
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.