Sir Paul Smith, the British fashion designer, has recently celebrated his 80th birthday and is preparing to publish his memoir, titled 'Threads: My Life in Style'. Smith, who left school at 15, founded his company in 1970, starting with a small back room in Nottingham.
The Paul Smith brand has expanded to include more than 130 shops globally and, at its peak, achieved an annual turnover of over £200 million. Smith reportedly enjoys working in his shops, describing it as a favourite part of his job due to the interesting people he meets.
Smith's career has been characterised by an unconventional approach, including turning down multiple offers to buy his company to retain control. He credits his wife, Pauline, and his father, Harold, with significant influence on his creative development and self-assurance.