Paul Smith

Founded: 1970

Origin: United Kingdom

Paul Smith is Britain’s foremost designer. He is renowned for his creative aesthetic, which combines tradition and modernity.

Reaffirming the values that Paul set down in 1970, ‘classic with a twist’ remains the guiding principle of the company.

Paul’s saying, that 'you can find inspiration in everything’, means that references are eclectic, coming from high art and everyday life. Each Paul Smith design is underpinned by a dry British sense of humour: quirky but not frivolous, eccentric but not silly.

Happily positioned between high fashion and formalwear, while taking reference from both, Paul Smith has always been proud to stand apart.

WE LOVE IT BECAUSE Whenever we talk about creative role models at Classic Driver, we almost always settle on Paul Smith. As a fashion designer, "Sir Paul", who actually wanted to be a racing cyclist as a boy, has been developing his very own style since the late 1970s, making British men's fashion flourish - and making colourful patterns and ornaments in offices, socially acceptable worldwide. Paul Smith has reinvented British fashion again and again, creating his very own style in the process.