Paul Smith has taken over Selfridges’ Corner Shop, transforming the space into a ‘dream factory’, where the designer will work alongside a collection of personal objects, archive pieces and a new limited-edition collection.
Running from 7-19 September, the takeover marks more than four decades of partnership between Paul Smith and Selfridges, bringing together two established names in British retail.
The unusual residency will see Sir Paul Smith use the Corner Shop as his working office, giving shoppers and passers-by a glimpse into the creative world behind the brand. The space features personal objects, photographs, artworks and furniture from Smith’s own office, including his Mario Bellini Cab chairs.
His MINI Paul Smith Edition, which he drives to his London studio, will also be displayed inside the shop, with its boot filled with curiosities from his working life. Custom-made Mercian bicycles will also be available to purchase, marking the fact that both Mercian and Paul Smith are celebrating their 80th birthdays this year.
The takeover includes a limited-edition capsule collection created specifically for the partnership. Drawing on imagery from Smith’s office and archive, the collection includes holdalls, wallets and T-shirts, while a selection of objects from his personal world will also be available to buy, including artworks, furniture, rugs and photographs.
The residency will also host a programme of events, including a signing of Smith’s newly released memoir Threads: My Life in Style. Designer YAKU, a resident and mentor from the Paul Smith’s Foundation, will also host a creative workshop where visitors can create their own printed T-shirts.
Ewan Venters, Executive Chairman of Paul Smith, said the partnership was “a testament to what can happen when two great British institutions continue to evolve together”, adding that Smith had always been a “master of retail innovation”.
André Maeder, CEO of Selfridges Group, said the Corner Shop takeover was a “true expression” of Selfridges’ spirit of experimentation, giving customers “an intimate glimpse into Sir Paul’s imagination”.
The activation comes as Paul Smith continues to focus on strengthening both its digital and physical retail offer. In March, the business reported an 8% decline in group turnover to £181 million for the year ending June 2025, while e-commerce sales increased 14% year-on-year.
The company said it remained committed to the “power of the physical retail experience” alongside continued investment in digital.
Smith opened his first shop in Nottingham in 1970 and the independent British brand now has shops in more than 50 countries.
The Selfridges takeover continues that long-standing approach to physical retail, turning the shop itself into an extension of the brand and its founder’s creative world.