The Story Of Our Signature Stripe

The Origins

Stripes are synonymous with Paul Smith. They have been part of the designer’s collections since he started working in the 1970s out of his first shop in Nottingham, but few are familiar with how the Signature Stripe story starts. As is the case with most things Paul Smith, it had humble beginnings. In the pursuit of creating something unlike anything else on the market, it came about almost by accident: when Paul began experimenting with different coloured threads.

Wrapped & Unwrapped

Last year, the Signature Stripe took to the skies. Quite literally. Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe “wrapped” hot air balloon was stitched entirely by hand in the last remaining British workshop of its kind, utilising the skill of artisans who have truly mastered an almost forgotten art. The vast ‘envelope’ – the official term for the bag on a hot air balloon – measured over 22 metres in height and showcased the optimism the Signature Stripe has come to represent.

Anatomy Of The Signature Stripe

The Signature Stripe is made up of an incredible 40 different colours. It is characterised by varying width bands, achieved today through digital design. As well as its classic colourway, the Signature Stripe is also seen in tonal variations throughout Paul Smith collections. In knitwear and shirting, the all-over Signature Stripe is intarsia knitted and yarn dyed and woven, respectively. You might have spotted a few of its siblings over the years: in addition to the Signature Stripe, Paul Smith has developed the Artist Stripe, the Sports Stripe and most recently, the Summer Stripe.