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About this talk

From a tiny shop in a Nottingham alley to dressing rockstars – fashion icon Paul Smith brings his story, and his wit, warmth and eccentric flair, to our stage. Join the British legend Sir Paul Smith on an effervescent journey through his life, as told in his book Threads. Smith takes us from the humble beginnings of his first shop – tucked behind a dark, damp corridor – to opening his first London shop in the ‘up-and-coming’ Covent Garden, and on to his international conquest. The book traces his memories of dressing rockstars, actors and athletes, giving a unique perspective on fashion, art, music and culture in the last half century. There are anecdotes aplenty from a cast of characters including David Bowie, Daniel Day Lewis, Giorgio Armani and Sir Alex Ferguson. Threads is the story of how a young boy from a modest upbringing in Nottingham, guided by his father’s lasting message of hard work and repairing everything by hand, became a symbol of innovation and creativity. And of how, in a world of increasingly globalised homogeneity, he has fought to hold on to the precious independence at the heart of his vision. Paul Smith has grown into a global business, selling to five continents, over 70 countries and 3,000 shops. Smith was knighted for services to fashion in the 2000 Birthday Honours, followed in 2020 by his appointment as one of 65 members of the Order of the Companions of Honour.

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