Four-time British Fashion Awards winner Sir Paul Smith has a love affair with Japan that has lasted three decades, the London Press Service reported on 7 March.
One of the UK’s most celebrated designers—revered for his classics with a twist and idiosyncratic take on traditional styling—was invited to visit Japan in the early 1980s by the firm C. Itoh (now Itochu Corporation). A licensing contract followed.
Nationwide, the Paul Smith fashion empire has more than 200 stores, including boutiques and outlets in department stores.
His first fashion show in Japan—held in January and titled “I Love Japan”—has taken his relationship with the country to a new level. The show marked the launch of Japan’s first major fashion event since the 11 March 2011 triple disaster.
