The collection unites Paul Smith’s distinctive design with Fender craftsmanship across fashion, accessories and a Made in Japan Paul Smith Telecaster®
October 21, 2026 - British design house Paul Smith and American guitar maker Fender Music Instruments Corporation (FMIC) partner on a limited-edition capsule collection that draws on an eclectic range of influences; connecting the spirit of rock ’n’ roll with the heritage of London’s historic Wardour Street record shops and the precision of Japanese craftsmanship.
2026 marks a milestone year, with Sir Paul Smith celebrating his 80th birthday and Fender its 80th anniversary. Connected by a shared belief in originality, craftsmanship and individual expression, the two iconic names have come together on a 16-piece collection spanning across ready-to-wear, tailoring and accessories, alongside a limited-edition Made in Japan Paul Smith Telecaster and a range of guitar accessories.
Music and fashion have always moved together, with artists and musical movements shaping how generations dress and express themselves and shape culture. Music has long been a source of inspiration for Paul, who in his early years travelled from Nottingham to London for gigs, selling screen-printed T-shirts to help cover the cost home. This love of music and the creative communities that surrounded it forged lifelong connections and led to collaborations including David Bowie and The Rolling Stones.
The menswear collection brings together references in a distinctly Paul Smith way. The psychedelic spirit of music festivals meets the history of London’s Wardour Street, once home to influential record shops and a meeting place for musicians, artists and music lovers. These references are reimagined through Paul Smith’s signature use of print and colour, alongside Fender’s instantly recognisable visual language while Japanese craftsmanship remains central to the collection.
“Fender and Paul Smith have both built their legacies around originality and giving people the tools to express themselves,” said Edward “Bud” Cole, CEO, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. “Music has always been central to Paul’s creative life, and his relationships with artists and musicians have influenced his work for decades. That shared connection to music is what makes this collaboration feel so authentic.At its heart, it’s a celebration of individuality, creativity and craftsmanship — bringing two distinct points of view together and giving people something they can make their own.”
The collection includes tie-dye T-shirts inspired by historic music festivals, reinterpreting a tree motif through a photograph of Paul’s favourite tree in his hometown of Nottingham. The resulting “Meet at the Tree” graphic brings a personal Paul Smith touch to the communal spirit of festivals.
Sunflowers, vibrant colour and the Paul Smith Signature Stripe run throughout the collection, alongside graphics celebrating the record labels and independent record shops that made London’s Wardour Street an important part of British music history. Elsewhere, the Signature Stripe meets Fender’s distinctive spaghetti logo, bringing the identities of both brands together.
Central to the collaboration is the limited-edition Made in Japan Paul Smith Telecaster, bringing Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe to one of Fender’s most recognizable silhouettes. Crafted in Japan, the guitar pairs an alder body with a maple Modern “C” neck and rosewood fingerboard, alongside specially modified neck and bridge pickups developed for the collaboration. A vintage-style three-saddle Telecaster bridge, locking tuners and a custom neck plate complete the instrument, balancing classic Telecaster character with Paul Smith’s distinctive approach to color and design.
The collaboration also extends to a limited-edition guitar strap and pick set. The Made in Japan strap features Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe with genuine leather ends and Paul Smith and Fender logos stamped in gold. A set of 12 individually designed picks brings together the Signature Stripe with playful colors and graphics, presented in a collectible steel tin featuring both brands.
To bring the collection to life and celebrate the next generation of musical talent, Paul Smith and Fender have worked with emerging British band Legss. The four-piece bring their own distinct sound and creative perspective to the campaign, celebrating the individuality, creativity and craftsmanship that connect Paul Smith and Fender. See the Paul Smith + Fender collection come to life with Legss.
The Paul Smith + Fender collection launches today, October 21, 2026, and will be available through paulsmith.com and select Paul Smith stores globally. The collection will also be available through the Fender Flagship Tokyo store in Harajuku and fender.co.jp/ in Japan.
