Designer Sir Paul Smith Honored with The Achievement Award

The 65 year old British designer, who is both commercially successful and highly respected within the fashion industry. His business and reputation is founded upon his menswear and was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000, after nearly three decades as a menswear icon.

Smith left school at the age of 15 and his only ambition was to become a racing cyclist until his father hauled him off to work at a clothing warehouse, although he had no interest in it. But his career in fashion design began after he had a terrible cycling accident that put an end to his cycling ambitions.

The famous designer, who began all this in a tiny shop in Nottingham which opened just two days a week, but whose empire now spans 52 countires recieved the 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award from the British Fashion Council. Today he runs 12 different collections, Paul Smith, Paul Smith Women, PS by Paul Smith, Paul Smith Jeans, Paul Smith London, R.Newbold (Japan only), Paul Smith Accessories, Paul Smith Shoes, Paul Smith Fragrance, Paul Smith Watches, Paul Smith Pens and Paul Smith furniture and things.

Sir Paul while receiving the award said, "This award obviously means I am getting quite old, they give them out when you've been doing it for quite a long time".

The designer has won four previous British Fashion Awards.