Paul Smith is one of the most well-known and beloved names in fashion. The quintessential British designer has been a staple on the scene since the 70s but remains relevant and coveted after his work with icons like David Bowie and stranger collaborations with the likes of Manchester United and a local primary school. A fascinating and enigmatic figure here’s everything you need to know about Paul Smith and his PS Paul Smith line.
#1 Where is Paul Smith from?
Paul Smith is from Nottingham, specifically a town called Beeston to the north-east of the city. Though he got his first steps into the fashion industry on Savile Row with renowned tailor Lincroft Kilgour. It was here that Paul Smith got his keen eye for perfectly tailored basics and the beauty in traditional, British heritage pieces.
He opened his first shop in 1970 at 6 Byard Lane, Nottingham, stocking his own designs alongside other notable brands. This shop stayed open till 2017 as the brand expanded to a global arena, now having over 200 shops worldwide.
#2 Where is the Paul Smith Pink Wall?
You’ve definitely seen it on Instagram, but did you know that that pink wall is actually the exterior of a Paul Smith shop. The bold pink wall is the outside of Paul Smith’s LA flagship store on Melrose Avenue. An estimated 300 people snap a selfie at the wall every day, making it an accidental LA landmark, but make sure you pop inside for a shop.
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#3 What is PS Paul Smith?
PS Paul Smith is a diffusion line of Paul Smith, offering youthful, ready-to-wear pieces as a more accessible price. While the mainline features a lot of formal wear and tailoring, PS Paul Smith is a more casual range, taking influence from Paul’s own eclectic personality and inspired in part by his love for sports. The PS Paul Smith range includes a broad spectrum from denim and cotton pieces through to premium leather wallets, trainer and shoes. The range incorporates the ethos of Paul Smith as a brand and a person; it’s fun and bold, embodying the British sense of humour that’s quirky but never silly. All this can be seen in the range’s signature rainbow stripes and zebra logo.
#4 What is PS Paul Smith Women?
It is the new, youthful women's collection defined by signatures of bold colour, print and sharp tailoring. The inspiration for the PS Paul Smith womenswear collection came from the rediscovery of a collection of holiday photos that documented Paul and his wife travelling in the 1970s and 1980s. Similar to the menswear the womenswear collection incorporates the ethos of Paul Smith as a brand and a person; it’s fun and bold, embodying the British sense of humour that’s quirky but never silly. The collection includes statement pieces and everyday casual wear for Spring/Summer.#5 What is the meaning behind the Paul Smith zebra?
The motto of the Paul Smith brand is ‘classic with a twist’, and what animal suits that better than a zebra? The motto was developed into the recognisable zebra looking in 2007 by artist Russel Weekes and Sam Kerr, starting simply as a comic strip drawing printed on a t-shirt and later being adopted as a brand-wide logo. Being reimagined as everything from a dinosaur to a rabbit for special releases, the quirky logo reflects the eclectic brand perfectly.
#6 Who owns Paul Smith?
Simple answer; Paul Smith owns Paul Smith. A rare thing in the fashion industry today, PS Paul Smith and the mainline brand remain totally independent with Paul Smith himself still being the majority shareholder. With so much of the brand being wrapped up in Paul’s personality, inspired by his private collection of art and built off his training and vision, it seems only right for the man behind the name to hold the keys to the fashion empire he’s built.
SHOP PS PAUL SMITH ON THE HUT
Cover image via GQ
Written by Sarah Atkinson
