Paul Smith (fashion designer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Paul Smith CH CBE RDI
Smith in 2009
Born	Paul Brierley Smith (1946-07-05) 5 July 1946 (age 79) Beeston, Nottinghamshire, England
Spouse(s)	Pauline Denyer ​ (m. 2000)​
Label(s)	Paul Smith PS Paul Smith

Sir Paul Brierley Smith (born 5 July 1946) is a famous English fashion designer. He is known for his creative and colorful clothing, especially his signature multi-colored stripes. In 1991, he was named a Royal Designer for Industry, a high honor for designers in the UK.

Paul Smith started his company in 1970. Today, his brand is known all over the world, with stores in over 70 countries. People can buy his products in stores or online. His bright pink store in Los Angeles has become a famous spot for tourists to take photos.

Early Life and a Change of Plans

Paul Smith was born in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, England, in 1946. As a boy, his biggest dream was to become a professional cyclist. He left school at 15 to work in a clothing warehouse, but he spent all his free time cycling.

When he was 17, a serious cycling accident changed his life. He had to stay in the hospital for nearly six months. While he was recovering, he made new friends who were interested in art and fashion. They inspired him to explore a new creative path. After getting better, he started taking classes to learn how to make clothes. He even worked with a tailor from London's famous Savile Row.

Building a Fashion Brand

A Paul Smith shop on King Edward Street in Leeds.

In 1970, Paul Smith opened his very first shop in Nottingham. It was tiny, only three square meters! He sold clothes from other brands but also began to sell his own designs.

Six years later, in 1976, he took his first men's collection to Paris. His mix of casual and smart clothing was a hit. The Paul Smith brand grew quickly after that. In 1979, he opened his main store in Covent Garden, London.

New Collections and Global Growth

A Paul Smith shirt showing the company's famous striped pattern.

In 1993, Smith launched his first collection for women, called 'Paul Smith Women'. He decided to do this after noticing that many women were buying his men's clothes in smaller sizes for themselves.

The brand also became very popular outside of the UK. The first store in Japan opened in Tokyo in 1984. It was so successful that there are now over 165 Paul Smith stores across Japan. In 1987, he opened a shop on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

He also created a children's clothing line. It started in 1990 and later became 'Paul Smith Junior', which often features mini versions of his adult clothes.

Creative Collaborations

A special Mini car designed by Paul Smith in 1997.

Paul Smith loves to work with other artists and brands. He has been involved in many exciting projects over the years.

• Cars and Bikes: In 1997, he designed a special version of the Mini car with his signature stripes. He also worked with Triumph to style a motorbike and with Mercian Cycles to create a series of bicycles.
• Music and Film: Smith is a big music fan. He designed a T-shirt for David Bowie's album 'The Next Day' in 2013. In 2019, he not only designed the suits for the movie Men in Black: International but also made a small appearance in the film.
• Art and Design: He has worked with the US textile company Maharam since 2003, using their fabrics in his designs. He also designed a colorful version of the classic Anglepoise lamp and worked with furniture designer Gufram on a cactus-shaped coat stand.
• Sports: He has designed jerseys for the Giro d'Italia cycling race and provided suits for the Manchester United football team.

Honors and Awards

A Paul Smith suit from 2007, showing his classic style with a modern touch.

Paul Smith has received many awards for his work in fashion. He was named Designer of the Year four times in a row by GQ magazine. In 2011, he received an Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards.

For his contributions to fashion, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1994. In 2000, he was knighted by the Queen. In 2020, he was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH), one of the highest honors in the UK.

In his hometown of Nottingham, a local tram was named after him in 2024 to celebrate his success.

Images for kids

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  The Maggie's Centre in Nottingham. Paul Smith helped design the inside of the building.

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  The Paul Smith store in Las Vegas.