I received a book titled Hello, My Name is Paul Smith for Christmas and I could not put it down until I finished reading it from cover to cover. Sir Paul Smith generously shares his backstory about his journey from opening one small shop in Nottingham, England to becoming an international presence in the design world today. The book is beautifully illustrated, including much of his own photography and it is an inspiration for those seeking to learn more about the business of design.

His design focus originally was men's fashion, establishing his first store in 1970 and in my opinion waited far too long to launch his first women's collection in 1993. He is a keen observer and photographer and has collaborated with the likes of British car brand Mini, Mercian Cycles, Burton Snowboards, Leica Cameras and Maharam Fabric Corporation to name a few.

Paul Smith shops and interiors are designed in-house following Paul Smith's vision that all of the shops should look different and not be formula driven.

If you have not visited a Paul Smith shop it should be added to your list of things you must do. The shops are welcoming and not just about fashion. You will see interesting objects and artwork that Paul Smith has been collecting and photographing everyday of his life.