Thank you Paul Smith

I guess it must be thirty years since I first got interested in the work of the fashion designer & entrepreneur Paul Smith.

In those early years where the Paul Smith brand was beyond my budget, I was happy just browsing, I especially enjoyed the playfulness of the window displays. Later his Floral Street shop in Covent Garden became a favourite destination.

I loved the brand’s origin story, how it had started out in a small, 3 x 3 metre shop in Nottingham and since grown to 130 shops in over 60 countries. When Paul started out in that tiny shop, he only opened its doors two days a week. The shop was his dream but he knew it wouldn’t sustain an income five or six days a week. So he freelanced as a photographer and stylist. He spent the majority of the week doing whatever it took to earn money – all to keep the creative purity of his shop afloat. I love that.

I’ve always admired his creativity, optimism and curiosity. Nine years ago I wrote a little booklet called ‘On Being Curious’ (you can find a digital version on Kindle) and sent a copy to Paul’s office. I didn’t expect a response as I knew he got such a big postbag. So I was surprised to receive an email from his office in January 2014 inviting me to an event at The Design Museum where Paul was giving a talk. I asked if I could bring a guest and invited my friend Martijn along. We both got to meet Sir Paul. I told him, ‘you won’t remember as I know you get sent so many things, but I sent you a little booklet all about being curious.’ And he replied, ‘yes, I know. That’s why I invited you.’ Wow! What a class act I thought.

I told this story in my book ‘365 Ways To Have a Good Day.’ And 12 months ago this week, late morning on publication day, I delivered a copy of the book along with a handwritten note to his office.

By 4pm that afternoon, I received this email from his office! To have opened my package, looked at the book and asked his assistant to email me… all within a few hours - how many people in his position would do that?

Oh, and Chapter 178? That was entitled ‘Reach out to your Heroes,’ where I told the story of meeting Sir Paul.

Thank you Sir Paul - what a lovely man.