Paul Smith's Threads reveals his playful path to success — SkimNews
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- Paul Smith opened his first shop in Nottingham in 1970; the first day brought in £38, with his wife buying most of it to encourage him.
- Paul Smith says rubber chickens helped him communicate in Japan from 1982, where his company now has more than 20 stores; its global operations span 50 countries.
- Threads: My Life in Style is published on 10 September, with Smith advising fashion students to build slowly and carefully rather than seeking immediate scale.
- George Best often stayed in Smith’s spare bedroom when he went missing from Manchester United, and Smith says they bonded over fish and chips.
- David Bowie commissioned Smith to design a T-shirt for his final album Black Star, after the pair became friends during the 1980s.
Why it matters: The book gives fashion students a concrete alternative to rapid expansion: Smith’s 1970 store took £38, while his company now has more than 20 stores in Japan and operates across 50 countries. The stated lesson is that patience, good manners, direct selling and playful communication can support longevity.
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