Paul Smith ended up in the fashion world as a happy outcome from a bad accident that left him hospitalised for 6 months: new friends made during his convalescence happened to drink at the same pub as students from the local art college, and Paul liked their vibe.

Within a few years he was managing his first shop in Nottingham and taking evening classes in tailoring in order to be able to make what he wanted, which, with the help of his girlfriend Pauline (now his wife), he did. In 1976 Paul debuted his first menswear collection in Paris. He has since expanded his repertoire by carrying his same eclectic style over to accessories and eyewear: Paul Smith frames share the same DNA as that first menswear collection.

Iris Optical has carried Paul Smith eyewear since November 2014.