Paul Smith is one of the most renowned British fashion designers in the world. He is famous for his classic tailoring with a modern twist and colorful stripes. With over 12 collections released each year, Paul Smith continues to be a leading force in men’s fashion. However, despite his public success, Paul Smith has kept his personal life very private. This has led many to wonder – is the legendary designer married?
Paul Smith’s Early Life and Career
Paul Smith was born in 1946 in Nottingham, England. From an early age, he had an interest in fashion and tailored clothes. He attended Nottingham Trent University where he studied textile design. After graduating in 1970, Smith opened his first shop called “Paul Smith Vintage” on Byard Lane in Nottingham. The small shop sold clothing and accessories from the 1940s and 1950s.
In 1976, Paul Smith opened his first menswear shop in Covent Garden, London. The brand quickly gained recognition for its classic British tailoring with unusual fabric combinations and colorful accents. By the 1980s, Paul Smith was considered one of the rising stars of British fashion. He won his first British Fashion Award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 1987.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Paul Smith brand expanded rapidly. Paul Smith opened shops around the world, including locations in Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. The designer launched new product categories like shoes, watches, and fragrance. By 2000, global sales for Paul Smith had reached £200 million. Today the brand has over 300 stores worldwide and continues to be one of the most prominent names in fashion.
Paul Smith’s Personal Life
Unlike many celebrity designers, Paul Smith has kept his personal life very private over the years. He rarely gives interviews about his private affairs or family. However, here is what we know about his marital status:
Paul Smith first met his future wife, Pauline Denyer, in the late 1960s when she was a fashion student and he worked at a clothing manufacturer. The two developed a close friendship that turned romantic. After years of dating, Paul and Pauline married in 1978.
By all accounts, the pair have enjoyed a long and happy marriage of over 40 years. They have no children together and live quietly between homes in London and Paris. Pauline is now a director at the Paul Smith company and continues to be a major influence on the brand.
In interviews, Paul Smith has stressed that his wife Pauline has been instrumental to the success of his label. He relies on her keen eye for detail and describes her as his “best critic.” Even after decades together, Smith says Pauline still surprises him and inspires new ideas.
Rumors and Speculation
Because Paul Smith keeps his personal life very private, there has been occasional speculation about his marriage over the years. Tabloids and gossip sites have tried to stir up rumors that Paul and Pauline Smith either have an “open relationship” or are no longer together.
However, there is no evidence to substantiate any of these rumors. The couple are rarely photographed together at public events or on vacation, which likely fuels public intrigue. But those who know the Smiths well say there is no truth to the gossip. They describe Paul and Pauline as devoted partners who simply value their privacy.
The few times Paul Smith has commented on the subject, he has adamantly denied any marital troubles. In a rare personal interview with The New York Times in 2018, he stated: “After almost 50 years together, my wife and I are closer than ever.” He went on to describe Pauline as “his whole world.”
So despite tabloid stories, all signs point to Paul and Pauline Smith remaining happily wed. Their marriage has survived over four decades in the public eye.
Paul Smith’s Life Philosophy
Paul Smith attributes much of his success to staying grounded and not getting caught up in fame. The designer has said, “Fashion is about living. It’s about life. It’s not really about having an ego.”
Smith doesn’t lead a flashy or indulgent lifestyle. He believes in hard work, appreciating the simpler things in life, and not chasing after trends. His even-keeled personality and stable home life have allowed the designer to thrive without burning out.
In interviews, Paul Smith often repeats his motto “You can find inspiration in everything.” This outlook translates to his joyful, color-filled designs. Smith draws inspiration from everyday objects and wants his brand to spread positivity.
Staying focused on this vision has kept Paul Smith’s career steadily on track for over 50 years. His loving marriage for the past four decades is likely a source of support and inspiration. While Paul Smith remains a very private person, he acknowledges his wife Pauline’s indispensable role in his success.
Conclusion
Paul Smith has been married to his wife and design partner Pauline Denyer since 1978. Despite tabloid gossip, all evidence suggests the couple remain happily wed after over 40 years together.
Paul Smith is notoriously private about his personal affairs but has shared just enough to confirm he is not single. The designer seems to have struck an ideal balance between public success and private contentment. Pauline Smith continues to be a guiding influence on the brand while avoiding the limelight.
The Paul Smith label embodies the designer’s whimsical spirit and quiet dedication to his craft. Staying true to his vision has made Paul Smith both a fashion icon and a paragon of living well. His joyful designs have spread positivity for over 50 years – and will hopefully continue doing so for many more with Pauline by his side. Though Paul Smith shuns fame, his example provides inspiration that lasting love and work you believe in are essential to life.