NO SELLOUT Smith

In the March issue of BlackBook, British fashion icon Paul Smith explains what separates him from the majority of designers: He actually makes VIPS pay for his clothes. "We've been dressing musicians and celebrities for many years, but they always buy the clothes; we don't give clothes away. That's our policy. Not because of meanness, but because it sets the rule," Smith says, pointing out the obvious fact that, "They're wealthier than most of the [other] customers."

Ignoring the unstated rule of celebrity graft seems to be working. Smith has successfully bottled British eccentricity for 30 years, proving you don't have to be a freshly scrubbed FIT grad with starlet friends to make an enduring commercial splash. To wit: Sales at his recently opened store in Manhattan's SoHo are reportedly 25 percent higher than the company had anticipated.

• Giuliani Has World-Class Skeletons in <br> His Closet
• Colbert Gets His Biggest Scoop Yet

Sign in to post a comment here.