From errand boy to fashion founder

Paul Smith was born in Nottingham in 1946 and left school at 15 with no qualifications. He started as an errand boy in a clothing warehouse, then discovered fashion through art-school friends he met while recovering from a cycling accident.

First boutique opens in 1970

After taking tailoring courses encouraged by his artist wife Pauline, Smith opened his first boutique in a tiny back room in Nottingham city centre. The shop would become the foundation of a global fashion empire.

London success and New York fame

Smith made his name in London, then opened a New York shop where he sold suits to Jack Nicholson and David Bowie. He hung out with the Studio 54 crowd and was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's groundbreaking Le Smoking tuxedo for women.

Big Bang boom in the 1980s

Suits got a major boost thanks to the Big Bang in 1986, when young urban professionals flocked to Smith's Covent Garden shop for Prince of Wales checks in innovative colours and unexpected jacket linings. He also started collaborating on design objects like the Filofax.

Peak in the 1990s, struggles today

The brand peaked in the nineteen-nineties but has faced recent challenges like other luxury brands. Smith admits the label is not as relevant as it used to be, yet remains optimistic about the future.

“We're definitely not as relevant as we used to be”

Socks are the real money maker

While tailoring remains Paul Smith's north star, the bread-and-butter business is actually socks. The brand sells 700,000 pairs a year, making it a reliable revenue stream through fashion cycles.

Independent at 80, still in charge

Smith turned 80 in July and remains the majority shareholder with a 69.5% stake. The business now has about 120 shops worldwide and stays independent, with Smith refusing to treat his age as a burden or milestone.

Never assume you've made it

Smith credits his company motto of never assuming with his longevity. Success requires constant hard work, reassessment, and the humility to remember that nobody cares how good you used to be.

“Nobody cares how good you used to be.”