Wikipedia
Frank Smythson Ltd., more simply known as Smythson , of Bond Street is a British manufacturer of luxury stationery, leather goods, diaries, and fashion products based in London, England. Smythson opened his first shop on 29 September 1887 at 133, New Bond Street, London. The current flagship store is located at 40 New Bond Street, London. Clients have included the current Royal Family, Queen Victoria and many other now deceased royals, many UK Politicians and Prime Ministers, Sir Edmund Hillary, Madonna, and Grace Kelly (and many other well known clients).
Smythson can customise its leather and desk product lines with gilt initials (for example). Much of the leather customisation is done in store in full view of the customers. Bespoke printing and personalisation is another important product line; particularly for weddings and parties. The highest-end stationery is often detailed with 24-carat gilded edges, hand-painted borders, custom-engraved motifs, and monograms.
In 1908, the company created the first featherweight diary, enabling diaries to be carried about.
Smythson opened its first freestanding store in the United States on West 57th Street near Fifth Avenue in New York City. SawickiTarella Architecture Design designed the shop using simple lines and colours following the style of the store's products. Smythson products are also available in the US at the high-end department store Bergdorf Goodman nearby.
In addition to the Bond Street flagship, there are also boutiques on Sloane Street and in Westbourne Grove, and concessions in Harvey Nichols, Harrods, and Selfridges department stores, as well as Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 and 5. There is also a store at the Bicester Village Outlet mall near Oxford. Other international locations include David Jones' Elizabeth Street in Sydney, Galeries Lafayette Paris, and Harvey Nichols and Pacific Place in Hong Kong.
The Bond Street store incorporates a room acting as a small collection or museum dedicated to notable users of Smythson products throughout its history.