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Paul Smith's introduction into fashion was completely accidental. As a teenager his real ambition was to become a professional racing cyclist. At 17 years old he was in a terrible accident and after he recovered he was with some friends from an arts college when he found his real calling - fashion. Within two years, Paul Smith was managing his first boutique in Nottingham and with the encouragement of his girlfriend Pauline Denyer (now his wife) and a small amount of savings, opened a tiny shop in 1970. By 1976 Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris under the Paul Smith label.

With three decades of collections under his belt, Paul Smith has established himself as the pre-eminent British designer. Today there are 12 different collections; Paul Smith, Paul Smith Women, PS by Paul Smith, Paul Smith Jeans, Paul Smith London, R.Newbold (Japan only), Paul Smith Accessories, Paul Smith Shoes, Paul Smith Fragrance, Paul Smith Watches, Paul Smith Pens and Paul Smith furniture and "things."

The London-based designer is known for taking classic school girl and school boy looks and injecting his own brand of humor with super-bright stripes, loud prints, contrasting colors and fabrics, and sharp tailoring. Fans include Parker Posey, Jude Law and Matthew McConaughey.