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Threads
- Author
- Sir Paul Smith
- Narrator
- Bill Nighy
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 10 September 2026
- Run Time
- 8 hours 58 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
From a Nottingham alleyway to a global empire, Threads is the story of a truly unique British fashion icon. Read by Bill Nighy, this audiobook includes an exclusive interview between the actor and Sir Paul Smith.
‘I always say that you can find inspiration in everything. And if you can't, look again’ – Sir Paul Smith
Sir Paul’s journey has been anything but conventional: from leaving school at fifteen with a dream of being a professional racing cyclist to a life-altering accident that would change everything. After meeting the love of his life and immersing himself in the exciting new world of the 1960s London art and fashion scene, he would go on to build a global fashion empire that started off as a tiny shop tucked behind a dark, damp corridor in Nottingham.
For the first time, and with his signature wit, Paul shares candid memories of a life in style, including what it was like to dress legends including David Bowie, Daniel Day-Lewis, Giorgio Armani and Sir Alex Ferguson; how he fought to keep his brand independent in a world of globalized homogeneity; and why, after five decades of success, you can still find him on the shopfloor every Saturday meeting his customers.
Guided by his father’s advice of working hard and repairing everything by hand, Threads is more than a fashion memoir. It is a masterclass in how to stay curious, stay independent and always look for the extraordinary in the everyday.
'Paul is a Great British Icon and this is an iconic book. ' – Dylan Jones
'Paul Smith is a brilliant storyteller. ' – Deyan Sudjic
'Fascinating.' – Suzy Menkes
'One of the pillars of great English design' – Manolo Blahnik
Critics Review
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Paul is a Great British Icon and this is an iconic book. I devoured every page
Dylan Jones, former editor of GQ
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Paul Smith is a brilliant storyteller. He has been everywhere, and he knows everyone, but he has never lost the sense of wonder that fills every page of this book
Deyan Sudjic, former director of Design Museum
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The Paul Smith story is as fascinating a read as it is a simple one
Suzy Menkes, fashion critic
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One of the pillars of great English design
Manolo Blahnik, designer
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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Paul Smith isn’t a designer whom I admire, he’s an artist whose undimmed creative joy and spirit of generosity and fun I’m inspired by and aspire to emulate. He’s followed his own line and retained a rare integrity in a trade where capitulation to corporate maximization is the standard. Paul is the living embodiment of the wisdom: it’s not the destination, it’s the journey
Edward Norton
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Fascinating. This book, like the man himself, is full of character, charm, and warmth. And very like Paul to wear it all so lightly. Just your average, run-of-the-mill worldwide style icon. A one-off
Martin Freeman, actor
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Nobody does it like Paul. His journey from humble beginnings to global icon is a masterclass in staying curious
Jamie Oliver, chef and author
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Paul is as prolific as he is adored. He is an inspiring creative who loves his practice, art, culture and, most importantly, people. His kindness, optimism and generosity are manifest in all he creates
Sir Jony Ive, designer
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In many ways Paul Smith was 'in the room where it happened’. Threads is about how he came to be a part of it all. Sir Paul . . . useful fellow, selective, secure. The answer is character
Harrison Ford, actor
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Reading this is like spending time with someone you wished you had known forever. Less like 'A Day In the Life of Sir Paul Smith,' Threads is more like 'A Life in the Day of Sir Paul Smith'
Jason Schwartzman, actor & musician
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Classic Paul Smith. A British tale with a creative twist
Gary Oldman, actor
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Sir Paul Smith
- Narrator
- Bill Nighy
- Duration
- 8 hours 58 minutes
- Release Date
- 10 September 2026
- ISBN
- 9781035089888
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Memoirs, Autobiography: arts and entertainment, Biography: business and industry, Business innovation, Fashion and beauty industries
Synopsis
From a Nottingham alleyway to a global empire, Threads is the story of a truly unique British fashion icon. Read by Bill Nighy, this audiobook includes an exclusive interview between the actor and Sir Paul Smith.‘I always say that you can find inspiration in everything. And if you can't, look again’ – Sir Paul SmithSir Paul’s journey has been anything but conventional: from leaving school at fifteen with a dream of being a professional racing cyclist to a life-altering accident that would change everything. After meeting the love of his life and immersing himself in the exciting new world of the 1960s London art and fashion scene, he would go on to build a global fashion empire that started off as a tiny shop tucked behind a dark, damp corridor in Nottingham.For the first time, and with his signature wit, Paul shares candid memories of a life in style, including what it was like to dress legends including David Bowie, Daniel Day-Lewis, Giorgio Armani and Sir Alex Ferguson; how he fought to keep his brand independent in a world of globalized homogeneity; and why, after five decades of success, you can still find him on the shopfloor every Saturday meeting his customers.Guided by his father’s advice of working hard and repairing everything by hand, Threads is more than a fashion memoir. It is a masterclass in how to stay curious, stay independent and always look for the extraordinary in the everyday.'Paul is a Great British Icon and this is an iconic book. ' – Dylan Jones'Paul Smith is a brilliant storyteller. ' – Deyan Sudjic'Fascinating.' – Suzy Menkes'One of the pillars of great English design' – Manolo Blahnik
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