Sir Paul Smith and the Nottingham roots of a global fashion name

Some of the world's best-known fashion labels began in grand capitals. One of Britain's most loved began in a room roughly 12 feet square in Nottingham. Sir Paul Smith, born in Beeston on 5 July 1946, opened his first shop on Byard Lane in 1970, and the city has been proud of him ever since.

Smith left school at 15 and went to work in a Nottingham clothing warehouse, later managing a local retail start-up for six years. His wife, Pauline, taught at the Nottingham Art School. In 1970 he opened Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme at 6 Byard Lane, a historic pedestrianised street between Fletcher Gate and Bridlesmith Gate that dates back to the Middle Ages. The shop traded there until 2017.

The brand grew into an international name, yet Nottingham remained its headquarters. In 2004 Smith took on one of the city's most elegant buildings, Willoughby House on Low Pavement. Built around 1738 as a town house for the Hon. Rothwell Willoughby and Grade II* listed, it was restored by Franklin Ellis as a flagship store for the designer, a fitting showcase for a designer who never left his home city behind.

Smith's mark can be seen around the city. He helped design the interior of Maggie's Centre Nottingham, created seating for Broadway Cinema in 2006 and designed a school tie for Beeston Fields Primary School in 2013. His True Brit exhibition came to Nottingham Castle in 1995 after its London run, and in 1997 he was made an honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham. He was knighted in 2000.

The affection runs both ways. In October 2024, Nottingham Express Transit named tram number 230 after him, so his name now travels the city's streets every day.

He is keen to pass on what he has learned, too. Paul Smith's Foundation shares his personal archive of advice for aspiring designers and creative entrepreneurs, on topics from finding inspiration everywhere to starting strong and growing gently.

For anyone interested in Nottingham's fashion heritage, a stroll past Willoughby House on Low Pavement and along Byard Lane traces the story from small beginnings to global success. Store details and collections are on the Paul Smith website.