He’s been one of the most distinctive and energetic designers in fashion for decades—the architect of a business empire that blends whimsy and irreverence with high style. But Paul Smith never set out to do any of that, really. In a fun and wide-ranging conversation with GQ’s Jim Nelson, Smith explains how he developed his unique habits and perspective; how he stays forever open to possibility and in constant  search for inspiration. The two explore Smith’s earliest fascinations with fashion, the insights that helped him launch and grow his label, and the creative friendships that have sustained him.