50 Years Of Paul Smith

image

In 2020 Paul marked 50 years in the business. But how do you pay suitable tribute to a company that started half a century ago in a tiny three metre by three metre shop in Nottingham and now spans six continents? Here’s how…

Share this story

image
image
image
image
50 Years Of Paul Smith
50 Years Of Paul Smith
50 Years Of Paul Smith

The Capsule Collection

To mark five decades of innovative British design, Paul revived and reworked key graphics from his print archive into an anniversary capsule. As a pioneer of photoprints – introducing them to his collections in the 1980s – it was only fitting that he revisited several of his most striking designs for this project, including 1990’s apple print and 1994’s spaghetti print.

50 Years Of Paul Smith
50 Years Of Paul Smith


Paul Smith In 50 Objects

His crashed bicycle. A set of dominoes. Yarn windings. An original Dyson. A Devore velvet suit. Released to celebrate the brand’s anniversary, this monograph capture’s Paul’s unique vision through a series of objects chosen by the man himself.

 

Exploring everything from his very first show in Paris, his Floral Street shop in London and the evolution of the stripe as well as his most recent collections and collaborations, the book is a tribute to a truly dynamic and versatile designer.

Exploring everything from his very first show in Paris, his Floral Street shop in London and the evolution of the stripe as well as his most recent collections and collaborations, the book is a tribute to a truly dynamic and versatile designer.

image
image

Spagetti In Paris

Paris-based creative, Simon NNdjock, explores his home city with the help of a group of friends, dressed in the kitschy spaghetti print from the new Paul Smith 50th anniversary capsule collection.

We wanted to bring to life something fun, vivid and real because that’s what Paul Smith means, and it is a reflection of Paul – the man who brings a smile in the fashion industry, I would have never imagined myself working with such an amazing company.

Simon NNdjock

50 Years Of Paul Smith

In typical Paul Smith fashion, the historic 50th anniversary campaign was used as an opportunity to look forward.

Graphic designer Wei Prior was invited to reinterpret significant photographs from the Paul Smith archive – including snaps of Paul in his first ever shop and pictures documenting his debut fashion show in Paris – and a series of new images were shot by Greg Lin. These combinations, created by young creative talents, provide a snapshot of the past viewed through a modern lens.

image

To honour the occasion, we tasked five young talents with reinterpreting, remixing and reworking elements from the world of Paul Smith, drawing fresh inspiration from 50 years of creativity.

Discover More

Paul's Foundation

Giving Helpful Advice To Creative People.

This is the best advice gathered and given by Sir Paul Smith over the past 50 years.

Paul Smith Happy

Collections

What Makes You Happy?

A fresh cast of characters - Francis, Fiona and Timmy - on their passions and what makes them smile.

03.22

Do you want to keep in touch?

Enter your email

Photography: Casper Kofi, Christina Ebenezer & Naguel Rivero
Featuring: Joy Yamusangie
Producer: Adam Aftanas

Share this story

image
image
image
image