Paul Smith - by Tony Chambers (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

'Books have traced the lives of great designers before, but few serve to double as a visual history of British popular culture. What this book deftly demonstrates is that Smith has not just been going for 50 years, he's been interwoven with our national aesthetic for 50 years.' - Esquire

A timely celebration of British design legend Sir Paul Smith and his one-of-a-kind creativity

This innovative book captures the unique spirit of British fashion icon Sir Paul Smith through 50 objects chosen by Sir Paul himself for the inspiration they have provided him over the years - from a wax plate of spaghetti and a Dieter Rams radio to a Mario Bellini Cab chair and a bicycle seat.

Each object has impacted his worldview, his creative process, and his adherence to a design approach that's always imbued with distinctly British wit and eccentricity. The book covers subjects as varied as breaking down the formality of wearing a suit, the importance of wit, and the benefits of remaining independent in an increasingly monopolized world, and includes personal contributions - handwritten notes, a sketch, or photograph - from such fashion and design heavyweights as Manolo Blahnik, Inès de la Fressange, Martin Parr, and John Pawson.

Updated with a fresh new fabric cover featuring the brand's signature stripe and a brand-new preface written by Sir Paul especially for this edition, Paul Smith provides the ultimate insight into one of the fashion world's most-loved creators.

Review Quotes

'Books have traced the lives of great designers before, but few serve to double as a visual history of British popular culture. What this book deftly demonstrates is that Smith has not just been going for 50 years, he's been interwoven with our national aesthetic for 50 years.' - Esquire

'The most loved man in fashion.' - The Financial Times

'He's still got it.' - GQ

'Paul Smith brings together 50 objects from the past five decades that encapsulate his unique ability to find inspiration in everything.' - Vogue

'Fifty years in the business and this always sharply suited designer is still causing a stir, most recently thanks to an anniversary-marking monograph... no coffee table will be complete without it.' - Living Etc.

'Tells the story of 50 objects salvaged from the snow drift of stuff that covers every inch of his office.' - Wallpaper*

About the Author

Sir Paul Smith CBE RDI is one of the UK's foremost designers and is renowned for his creative spirit. His eponymous fashion brand combines traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge design to create beautifully made modern pieces.

Tony Chambers is Founder and Creative Director of design consultancy TC & Friends and co-founder, with artist Ryan Gander, of OTOMOTO - the design, art and ideas platform. He is also Co-Chair of Brainstorm Design, Fortune magazine's design x business conference. From 2003-2018 Tony served as Brand & Content Director, Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of Wallpaper* magazine, to which he still contributes.

Sir Jonathan (Jony) Ive KBE RDI is a British-American industrial designer. Formerly Chief Design Officer at Apple, he now runs his own design firm, LoveFrom, with British designer Marc Newson.