Paul Smith: A to Z

by Paul Smith, Olivier Wicker (Editor)

Paul Smith has created one of the world’s most successful fashion brands. In this richly illustrated book—which includes many photos taken by Paul Smith himself—excerpts from interviews with the designer recount his history and explain how he approaches design.

This talented creator finds inspiration everywhere: personal photographs, musicians, scrawled messages on Post-it notes, electronic gadgets, and more. From A for Architecture to Z for Zebra, this alphabetical manual not only highlights the eclectic sources of inspiration behind his unforgettable designs, but also the unique way in which Paul Smith sees the world, suggesting how he has continually been able to anticipate and reimagine trends in popular culture since opening his first small boutique in 1970.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Paul Smith English fashion designer

At the age of 16, with no career plans or qualifications, Paul Smith was propelled by his father into a menial job at the local clothing warehouse in his native Nottingham. However his real passion was sport and his ambition was to become a professional racing cyclist, until aged 17 years when cycling-mad Paul was in a terrible accident.

Six months in hospital followed and during this time Paul made some new friends. After leaving hospital he arranged to meet them again and by chance the meeting place was a local pub that was popular with the students from the local art college.
Within two years, Paul Smith was managing his first boutique in Nottingham and with the encouragement of his girlfriend Pauline Denyer (now wife) and a small amount of savings, opened a tiny shop in 1970. Paul started to take evening classes for tailoring and with the help of Pauline (an RCA fashion graduate), Paul was able to create what he wanted. By 1976 Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris under the Paul Smith label.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not exactly a "read," but Smith is a designer who has got both feet on the ground and his head attached to his shoulders. The photography is great and I recommend it to anyone thinking of being a designer of any kind. Smith is best known as a menswear designer, and deservedly so, but he is a great teacher and does not take himself too, too seriously. We need thousands of designers like him so that we can re-design just about everything around us and make it much, much better. Jonathan Ive, the brilliant Apple designer, is a friend and admirer of Smith's. Enough said. this is a beautiful book that I got at the library, but hope someone will give me one soon.

[Kostya Lukyanenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s more of a tea table book. Great photos, most taken by Sir Smith himself. Nice short stories on a variety of topics that are near and dear to maestro’s heart. Some interesting information uncovered as well.

[Jeehye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I am not a big fan of P.Smith, it was pretty fun to learn how he has lead his life, his love for fashion/photos/inspirations (also he LOVES VELOS too!!)