Who? British designer Paul Smith has the ability to anticipate and spark trends not only in fashion, but also in the wider context of popular culture, with his trademark combination of wit, mischief and tradition. The down-to-earth 58-year-old keeps his ear to the ground by frequently visiting his shops and talking to customers to learn about their needs.
How did it happen? A road accident prevented Smith from pursuing his dream to become a professional cyclist, but it was meeting his future wife, Pauline Denyer, in 1969 that really changed his life. A fashion student at the Royal College of Art in London, Denyer became the driving force behind Smith's career. A year after they met, he opened a tiny shop and was taking evening classes in tailoring; by 1976 he had presented his first menswear collection in Paris under the Paul Smith label. In 1993, after discovering that 15 per cent of his clothes were being bought by women, he introduced a women's wear collection. Today, he lends his name to 12 lines, including jeans, accessories, fragrances, watches, pens, furniture and china.
What do his designs look like? Smith offers classic British tailoring cut with a twist or with striking, colourful details, such as collars or jacket linings. Grey business suits are paired with floral shirts, brilliant ties or whimsical accessories. Smith's young and progressive style has made business attire attractive to the fashion-oriented.
What does the designer say? 'You can find inspiration in everything, and if you can't, you're not looking properly. That's what it is really all about - just using your eyes and not going around copying, because there's like a disease of copying. Everybody is imitating everybody.'
Where are the designs available? The clothes lines and a selection of accessories are available from the new Paul Smith store, shop 216B, The Landmark, Central.