Books have traced the lives of great designers before, but few serve to double as a visual history of British popular culture. What this book deftly demonstrates is that Smith has not just been going for 50 years, hes been interwoven with our national aesthetic for 50 years. Esquire A timely celebration of British design legend Sir Paul Smith and his one-of-a-kind creativity This innovative book captures the unique spirit of British fashion icon Sir Paul Smith through 50 objects chosen by Sir Paul himself for the inspiration they have provided him over the years from a wax plate of spaghetti and a Dieter Rams radio to a Mario Bellini Cab chair and a bicycle seat. Each object has impacted his worldview, his creative process, and his adherence to a design approach thats always imbued with distinctly British wit and eccentricity. The book coverssubjects as varied as breaking down the formality of wearing a suit, the importance of wit, and the benefits of remaining independent in an increasingly monopolized world, and includespersonal contributions handwritten notes, a sketch, or photograph from such fashion and design heavyweights as Manolo Blahnik, Ins de la Fressange, Martin Parr, and John Pawson. Updated with a fresh new fabric cover featuring the brands signature stripe and a brand-new preface written by Sir Paul especially for this edition, Paul Smith provides the ultimate insight into one of the fashion worlds most-loved creators.