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Iconic clothing designer Sir Paul Smith celebrates his love for cycling in Paul Smith’s Cycling Scrapbook, due to be published by Thames and Hudson in May. It is compiled by journalist Richard Williams. The book has 400 illustrations.
Cycling has long been a passion for Sir Paul, who originally wanted to be a pro rider before an injury forced him to turn to fashion design.
Paul Smith’s Cycling Scrapbook contain memorabilia and projects Sir Paul has collected and worked on throughout his life, from his collection of cycling jerseys and his extensive library of cycling publications and brochures of the 1950s and 1960s, to the inspiration he has found in his cycling heroes such as Coppi, Anquetil, and Bartali. There are also recollections of his collaborations with bike-makers Mercian and Pinarello.
In 2013, Sir Paul was invited to design the maglia rosa – the pink jersey worn by the leader of the Giro d’Italia, which was blessed by Pope Francis I and presented to the winner.
Sir Paul said: “I have a huge collection of memorabilia and lots of wonderful memories of following cycling. In the book, Richard Williams, a friend and journalist, has pulled together a selection of pieces from my archive and recounted some of my favourite anecdotes."
Williams is a former chief sports writer for The Guardian.
