Sir Paul Smith, the doyen of British fashion, is celebrating nearly 45 years of business in Japan and launching his new autobiography, Threads: My Life in Style. Known for his colourful stripes and traditional British tailoring, the designer reflects on a global empire spanning 50 countries and more than 20 Japanese stores.
From Rubber Chickens to a Japanese Retail Empire
Sir Paul Smith attributes much of his enduring success in international markets to a very unconventional prop: the rubber chicken. Working in Japan since 1982, the designer initially encountered a significant language barrier, with only one person speaking schoolboy English during his early trips.
To bridge the communication gap, Sir Paul relied on gestures, drawings, and humor.
Sir Paul Smith, fashion designer, stated that the chickens were the reason he was successful in Japan.
That lighthearted approach helped lay the foundation for a lasting presence. Almost 45 years later, there are more than 20 Paul Smith stores operating across Japan as part of a wider global brand footprint spanning 50 countries.
From a Nottingham Shop to Threads: My Life in Style
Long before dressing international markets, Sir Paul had ambitions of becoming a professional cyclist. However, a crash at the age of 17 ended those athletic dreams and pushed him toward the fashion world. In 1970, he opened his very first retail venture—a tiny, windowless store located in Nottingham.
Reflecting on that opening day, Sir Paul recalled taking just £38 in sales, noting that his wife, Pauline Denyer, purchased most of the initial stock simply to please him. Today, more than five decades later, his company stands as a leading British fashion house recognized worldwide for its signature stripes and playful interpretations of traditional British tailoring.
Turning 80 provided the inspiration to document this journey in a new autobiography, Threads: My Life in Style. Through the book, Sir Paul aims to offer grounded advice to aspiring designers. As he noted during an interview at his London headquarters, many students enter the industry expecting an immediate fashion show, multiple shops, and a million pounds, whereas his own path relied on patience and slow, careful growth.
Daily Habits and Unlikely A-List Houseguests
The autobiography also dives into colourful personal anecdotes from the designer’s decades in the industry, including encounters with major figures from the 1970s. Among them was football superstar George Best. When Best went missing from Manchester United obligations, he frequently took refuge in Sir Paul’s spare bedroom. According to the designer, Best grew deeply stressed as the era’s first superstar athlete dealing with fair-weather acquaintances, often seeking quiet shelter by the end of the week.
Maintaining longevity in business requires more than nostalgia, however. Sir Paul maintains a disciplined daily routine, beginning each morning with a 05:30 swim. Afterward, he handwrites a thank-you postcard to everyone who has included an address, emphasizing that good manners remain essential for sustained business success.
Threads: My Life in Style by Sir Paul Smith is published on 10 September.
