Paul Smith Eyewear Company History
Paul Smith stands as the leading independent design company in Britain, known for their unwavering focus on promoting positivity, curiosity, and creativity. These fundamental values are deeply ingrained in every aspect of their designs, whether it is a meticulously crafted shirt, a thoughtfully designed shop, or a ground-breaking collaboration.
While Paul Smith proudly represents British expertise, their vision extends far beyond national borders. What initially began as a humble 3 x 3 metre shop in Nottingham, England, has now flourished into a global empire with over 130 stores and counting, spread across more than 60 countries.
At the core of this extraordinary venture is Sir Paul Smith, a renowned designer, master shopkeeper, and the majority shareholder of the company. However, despite his esteemed stature, Paul remains humble and approachable, insisting that everyone address him simply as “Paul.” The driving force behind his creative process is his unwavering belief that inspiration can be found in every aspect of life.
This philosophy allows for a diverse range of influences to permeate Paul Smith’s designs, whether it be art, music, or the mundane aspects of our everyday existence. In addition, one cannot overlook the profound impact of Paul’s lifelong passion for cycling, which often finds its way into his creations.
Paul Smith epitomises a realistic and authentic approach to design, seamlessly blending global perspectives with a personal touch. Their commitment to fostering creativity, embracing diversity, and finding beauty in the ordinary sets them apart as a truly exceptional design company.
You can find inspiration in everything.
PAUL SMITH
In the year 2020, Paul Smith marked a significant milestone of 50 years as an independent designer. Having reached this remarkable achievement, our attention has now shifted towards ensuring that the next half-century of Paul Smith is just as imaginative, unconventional, and vibrant as its inception.
The wealth of knowledge gained from five decades of design expertise is embedded in every product they create. This profound experience influences our entire range, spanning from impeccably tailored and effortlessly comfortable clothing for both men and women to versatile sneakers, elegant formal shoes, and even charming Paul Smith Junior items catered specifically for our youngest clientele.
Paul Smith’s path to sustainability
In March 2021, Paul Smith embarked on a journey towards sustainability by introducing an extensive array of objectives that focus on four pivotal aspects: ethical procurement, fostering community well-being, minimising emissions, and promoting a circular economy.
Paul Smith’s commitments
- To acknowledge our shortcomings and continually improve
- To ensure our practices and policies exceed regulatory requirements
- To quantitatively measure our impact and work with industry regulators
- To better our sourcing and processing of raw materials
- To apply our high standards to all our suppliers and partners
- To share updates on our progress with our customers, employees, and partners
Responsible Sourcing
Paul Smith’s commitment to responsible sourcing has led them to set long-term goals to ensure the sustainability and ethical practices of the brand. Their aim is to create a collection that is 100% Sun Logo, incorporating only organic or recycled cotton that meets the industry-leading standards of GOTS and Textile Exchange.
Paul Smith is strictly against animal testing and refuses any products or components that have been tested on animals, as well as species listed in the CITES Appendices. This year, they are taking immediate actions to further our responsible sourcing efforts. They are introducing eco-friendly wholesale and warehouse packaging, reducing our environmental impact, and promoting sustainability throughout their supply chain. Furthermore, we are becoming members of the Leather Working Group, ensuring that our leather sourcing aligns with industry best practices.
As a Responsible Wool Standard-certified trader, we are committed to sourcing wool in a responsible manner, prioritising animal welfare and environmental stewardship. These steps are crucial in our journey towards a more sustainable and responsible brand, and we will continue to actively seek out new ways to improve our sourcing practices and make a positive impact on the fashion industry.
In recognition of their commitment to sustainability, Paul Smith is proud to announce that they have become a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified trader. This certification demonstrates our dedication to using organic materials and maintaining high environmental and social standards throughout our supply chain. They ensured that 47% of our cotton products were made using organically grown cotton. Additionally, 41% of their leather products in the SS22 collection were sourced from Leather Working Group-rated suppliers, ensuring responsible and sustainable practices.
Furthermore, they launched their eco-friendly retail packaging, which is not only 100% recyclable but also contains 40% post-consumer waste. These achievements reflect our ongoing efforts to minimise their environmental impact and promote a more sustainable future in the fashion industry.
Community Care
In the coming year, Paul Smith plans to focus on enhancing their community care efforts. They are going to implement a supplier risk assessment improvement programme, ensuring that all suppliers meet high standards of social and environmental responsibility.
Furthermore, they will develop a supplier risk assessment improvement programme to continuously enhance supplier practices. Paul Smith is proud of their achievements, which include introducing modern slavery training, updating our Supplier Code of Conduct, establishing an employee equality, diversity, and inclusion group, and creating an internal sustainability ambassador group. Finally, they successfully completed the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Higg Index Brand Retail Module, demonstrating our dedication to promoting sustainable practices throughout their operations.
Reducing Emissions
Paul Smith’s long-term efforts to reduce emissions are to achieve 100% renewable energy tariffs in all directly operated Paul Smith buildings. Additionally, they are striving to achieve carbon-neutral distribution globally. This year, they have taken significant steps towards this goal by measuring our carbon emissions in line with the Green House Gas Protocol and setting carbon reduction targets based on their financial year 2021/2022 baseline.
Paul Smith is proud to share that 55% of their premises are now powered by renewable energy electricity tariffs, and 100% of their UK premises are on green gas tariffs. Furthermore, they have made a conscious effort to reduce energy consumption by installing LED lights in all new shop fits and re-fits. To demonstrate their commitment to the environment, they have published a company-wide environmental policy outlining our dedication to sustainable practices.
Increased Circularity
Paul Smith’s goal is to achieve zero waste in landfills globally. This year, they have taken significant steps towards this goal. In October 2022, they launched their Repair, Restore, and Refresh service in all UK shops, providing customers with the opportunity to extend the lifespan of their products. Additionally, they conducted an internal waste audit to identify re-use and recycle opportunities, allowing them to effectively manage their waste.
To promote circular and recycled design, they have also created a guide for shop fits and strip-outs, reducing waste and encouraging sustainable practices. These achievements are evident in their Nottingham office and warehouse, where they have successfully achieved zero waste to landfill.
Additionally, Paul Smith has taken steps to incorporate fabric recycling bins in their design studios and utilise leftover and surplus fabric to create useful items such as shopping bags, gift bags, and face masks. Furthermore, they have implemented a ban on sending stock to landfills, ensuring that even products that cannot be sold are not wasted. Through our repair, reuse, and recycle policy for unsellable products, they are actively working towards a more circular and sustainable future.
Paul Smith Eyewear
The launch of Paul Smith Glasses in 1994 marked the introduction of a collection that seamlessly blends timeless elegance with the distinctive quirkiness that characterises the Paul Smith brand. The journey leading up to this momentous event was an unexpected one for Paul Smith himself. Initially, his sole ambition was to pursue a career as a racing cyclist, but fate intervened when his father insisted, he work at a clothing warehouse instead.
During his early years in the industry, Smith found little interest in his work, except for the daily cycle journey that connected his home to the warehouse. Unfortunately, a tragic cycling accident abruptly ended his dreams of becoming a professional cyclist.
However, this misfortune served as the catalyst for Smith’s foray into the world of fashion design. Driven by a newfound passion, Smith enrolled in evening classes for tailoring and caught the attention of Chairman Harold Hillman, who offered him a position at Lincroft Kilgour on Savile Row.
Smith’s designs soon found favour with notable celebrities, including the renowned footballer George Best. With the support of his girlfriend at the time, Pauline Denyer, a fashion graduate from RCA, and a modest amount of savings, Smith embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. In 1970, he opened his first shop, 10 Byard Lane, in Nottingham.
Six years later, Smith showcased his inaugural menswear collection in Paris under his eponymous label. As his retail business flourished, Smith made history by becoming the first fashion brand to establish a presence on Floral St. in London’s Covent Garden in 1979.
The store offered a captivating fusion of clothing and unique discoveries for men, reflecting Smith’s eclectic personality. Even today, Smith remains fully immersed in every aspect of his business. From designing clothes to selecting fabrics, approving shop locations, and overseeing all company developments, his influence is felt throughout.
In recognition of his unrivalled contributions to menswear fashion over almost three decades, Smith was knighted in the year 2000. His clothing collections and accessories, catering to both men and women, have earned widespread acclaim for their quintessentially British charm, often characterised by the iconic multi-stripe signature associated with Sir Paul Smith.
The focus of Paul Smith glasses lies in their impeccable craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Each pair of frames is meticulously handcrafted in the Italian Dolomites, utilising only the finest materials. The specially developed acetates sourced from renowned Italian experts, Mazzucchelli, ensure unparalleled quality.
Paul Smith’s glasses showcase unique colour palettes that perfectly align with Smith’s passion for vibrant hues and remarkable materials. The unmistakable emblem of Smith’s design legacy, a custom metal core wire etched with a sophisticated stripe, adorns each set of frames. Complementing this feature is the temple shape, which mirrors the iconic ‘P’ signature logo associated with Paul Smith. These distinctive elements imbue the glasses with an authentic touch of individuality that can only be found within the realm of Paul Smith.
Why should you choose Bill Opticians as your local optician and glasses provider?
At Bill Opticians, we recognise the significance of eyewear in expressing your individuality and embracing your personal fashion. That is why we take immense pride in featuring the exquisite Paul Smith frames, renowned for their impeccable elegance. Our meticulously curated collection of frames is tailored to cater to individuals seeking both timeless classics and avant-garde styles.
Our team of skilled professionals is always readily available to assist you in choosing eyewear that not only enhances your vision but also reflects your unique fashion sensibilities. With an extensive range of frame options, including butterfly, cat-eye, irregular, oval, pilot, rectangle, round, and square designs, Paul Smith presents an unparalleled selection for you to explore.
At Bill Opticians, we are committed to helping you discover the perfect frames that truly elevate your style and personality. With a rich history spanning over four decades, Bill Opticians has established itself as a trusted name in the optometry field, proudly serving the thriving Devon community. With the convenience of six conveniently located branches, our dedication to providing professional and precise services sets us apart.
Since our humble beginnings in May 1972, we have consistently invested in state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge examination techniques, ensuring that our customers receive the utmost in quality eye care.