In 1970 a young 24 year old lad from Nottingham, who at the time was still recovering from a seriously bicycle accident, opened a small men’s clothes shop called Vêtements Pour Homme on the city’s Byard Lane.
Fast forward some 50 years, that young man has grown into one of Britain’s foremost designers. Where he is renowned for his creative spirit, which combines tradition and modernity. Starting with one men’s collection, the business now comprises collections for men, women and children, including, shoes, accessories, fragrance and home furnishings and these ranges are available in some 70 countries spanning the entire globe. Where celebrities as diverse as
Stanley Tucci John Hamm, Ian McKellan, Mark Strong and the late David Bowie all are proud to wear his clothes. Plus has collected both a CBE, a RDI and a knighthood, amongst other international accolades along the way.
Yes SIR PAUL SMITH has spent the last 50 years growing a global business.Renowned for his passion, positivity and determination, Paul puts a lot of his enduring success down to the many influential people who’ve advised him over the past five decades. In turn, he has shared his learnings with lots of ambitious and talented individuals looking to start their own businesses.
To mark he’s Golden anniversary in the business, his personal archive of helpful advice is here for you to explore and learn from, too. If you’re an aspiring designer, or even a chef or publisher with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit, Paul Smith’s Foundation gives you the guidance and inspiration you need to take things to the next level, making sure you have fun along the way.
Paul Smith’s Foundation was created to give helpful advice to creative people. While running a successful business for over 50 years, Paul received lots of tips from some amazing cultural figures. In turn, he advised many up-and-coming creatives looking to grow their own businesses. Now he wants to share all his learnings with a wider audience
The Foundation is for anyone with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. You might be an aspiring designer, or even a chef or publisher. You’re looking for guidance on how to take your ambitions to the next level, and, of course ensure you have fun along the way.
Highlights from Paul Smith’s Autumn/Winter2020 show & some of his pearls of wisdom
“Keep on doing it. Never think you’ve made it. There’s always somebody round the corner who’s going to overtake you in the fast lane. Keep aware, understand what you’re doing for a living, keep your feet on the ground and don’t get too big-headed and you’ll be alright”.
“For me, a great entrepreneur is very much about loving life, getting up in the morning, being positive, obviously knowing what you’re an entrepreneur “at”. It’s very much about focus, energy, lateral thinking, and that’s it, really.”
“In the beginning, it was just about owning a shop focused on self-expression and quite a lot of the clothes were made by Pauline or myself. We have never been people who aspire to jets or chauffeur-driven cars. We’re just very at ease with life, and love and health. Just doing normal things.“
“When David Bowie came to my room, which is full of stuff, he just couldn’t stop asking questions. “Where’s that from? What’s that book about?” He had this lovely curious mind and that’s why his songs and his persona and chameleon way existed, was because he was always ready for the next thing, and turning it into something different”
“For me, a great entrepreneur is very much about loving life, getting up in the morning, being positive, obviously knowing what you’re an entrepreneur “at”. It’s very much about focus, energy, lateral thinking, and that’s it, really.”
