The Paul Smith Defender: A Tailored Icon of British Design
As the Land Rover Defender approached the end of its production in 2016, British fashion icon Sir Paul Smith was invited to reimagine this globally recognised automotive symbol. The result? A one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted vehicle that reflects the unmistakable style, wit, and detail that have defined Smith’s five-decade career in design.
The bespoke collaboration between Sir Paul Smith and Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) was not merely a branding exercise—it was a meticulous design project. Known for its personalisation and custom commissions, the SVO team worked in close partnership with Smith to translate his creative vision into an extraordinary, functioning work of art. Overseen by Land Rover’s Chief Design Officer Gerry McGovern, the collaboration bridged fashion and automotive design in a way that feels both playful and profoundly British.
At first glance, the most striking element of the Paul Smith Defender is its kaleidoscopic exterior. A palette of 27 custom-mixed colours—each derived from Pantone references supplied by Smith himself—covers the vehicle’s panels in a patchwork of earthy and military-inspired tones. It’s an unorthodox move that somehow feels entirely appropriate for the rugged, utilitarian silhouette of the Defender. The colours, chosen to reflect the British countryside, military history, and Smith’s own tailoring heritage, transform the car into a rolling canvas.
Inside, the Defender continues to tell its story through a sequence of carefully considered details. Black leather upholstery is offset by contrasting blue stitching, while whimsical touches—including a set of keys printed inside the glove compartment and a hand-painted bee on the roof—bring a distinct sense of humour and intimacy to the design. The traditional clock has been replaced with a custom Paul Smith fascia, ensuring even the most functional elements carry the designer’s signature.
“Inside, black leather contrasts against blue stitching and there are lots of little hidden details throughout,” said Sir Paul Smith. “For example, there is an image of a set of keys printed inside the glove compartment. Then there is a hand-painted bee on the roof, which is another little tongue-in-cheek reference to the countryside and the heritage of the car. My designs are known for their attention to detail, so I didn’t want this Defender to be any different.”
To coincide with London Fashion Week 2016, Land Rover released a short film documenting the creative journey behind the vehicle. In it, Smith reflects on the process of working with the SVO team, the inspiration behind the colours and materials, and his lifelong affection for the Defender—a car he has owned and driven for many years.
The Paul Smith Defender stands not only as a final hurrah for the classic model but also as a rare meeting of fashion and industrial design. By applying the same principles he uses in his menswear collections—craftsmanship, colour, detail, and storytelling—Smith has created a vehicle that is at once familiar and refreshingly unexpected. A true British original, reimagined by one of its most celebrated creative minds.
