Sir Paul Smith, CBE, RDI, (born 5 July 1946) is a British designer, whose business and reputation is founded upon his men’s fashion with a special focus on tailoring. He is known for his idiosyncratic take on traditional British styling having coined the term ‘classics with a twist’.[1] Smith was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 for his services to British fashion. After founding his company in 1970 with one shop, Paul Smith now has more than 300 shops worldwide with an annual turnover of £200m.
Some appetizers on this page, but you should see the movie.
Paul Smith: Gentleman Designer
Stephane Carrel
Buy DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009KPQBBS
'You can find inspiration in anything'
Paul Smith
Awards and honours
In 1994, Smith received a CBE for his services to the British fashion industry.[5]
In February 2007, Smith was awarded an honorary fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects – an organisation that rewards outstanding contributions made to the world of art, design and architecture.[5]
In 2011, Paul was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design award at the British Fashion Awards for his exceptional contribution to the British fashion industry.[21]
He was named one of GQ‘s 50 best dressed British men in 2015.
On education
How far, though, can creativity be taught? Sir Paul’s genius was already there when he ended up on the shop floor of a clothing warehouse. He developed it, with the help of night classes in tailoring, and his fashion student girlfriend, now wife, Pauline Denyer.
“Creativity can be encouraged,” he says. “You can teach people skills of observation and absorbing the details of the world around them. I’m a curious person. I notice what is kitsch and what is beautiful. All of that is totally relevant to my job. You have to justify your existence. If the navy blue suit pays the rent, you have to give people a reason to buy it from you.”
