Paul Smith, the leading British independent design company and a true fashion institution, has announced its foray into the Middle Eastern retail market with the opening of its new store in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

It is situated on the first floor of Solitaire development – a luxurious retail, lifestyle and entertainment destination in Saudi capital Riyadh.

 

An iconic British design company now in its sixth decade, Paul Smith has helped to define the fashion landscape with its novel approach to tailoring, and its central design philosophy of ‘classic with a twist.’

 

Carrying a selection of menswear, womenswear, and accessories, the company’s new location in Riyadh features themes and inflections familiar to longtime Paul Smith devotees, said the top retail brand in a statement. 

 

The shop has a glass façade, etched with the brand’s Shadow Stripe motif, directly behind which is a textured render wall in a punchy shade of yellow. The playful combination of materials, colour and pattern sets the tone for the shop’s equally idiosyncratic interior, it stated.

 

Upon passing through the doors and into the shop, walking upon a floor of cool grey limestone, visitors will discover all manner of carefully designed fittings and fixtures, inspired by Sir Paul’s love of 20th century modern art. 

 

An octagonal display table in green Breche marble greets customers as they enter through the gloss teal doorway. A central seating area features vintage teak furniture, upholstered in Paul Smith Maharam fabric, and a geometric dividing screen in burl walnut, which separates it from the rear of the shop. Mounted onto the screen is an abstract painting by British artist Nigel O’Neil, said the statement.

 

"Paul Smith is Britain’s leading independent design company and a true fashion institution. Beginning in 1970 with a single three-by-three metre shop in Paul’s hometown of Nottingham, it has grown into a global enterprise, with more than 130 shops across 60 countries," said a company spokesman.

 

"A visual signature found in nearly every Paul Smith shop is the densely packed ‘art wall’," said a company spokesman.

 

"In our Riyadh location, this is found behind the cash desk, filled with photography, original artwork, and prints by Miro, Mari, and Giacometti, some of which come directly from Paul’s personal collection," he added.-TradeArabia News Service