Menswear designer Taylor Thompson has been selected as the American recipient of the inaugural designer-in-residence program by Paul Smith's Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Thompson, a 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and a 2025 Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year nominee, will join the second group of six U.K. designers chosen for The Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield in London. The program supports designers with mentorship and studio space, and Thompson's brand, 5000, features updated styles of classic tailoring.
Thompson expressed his excitement about the residency, highlighting London's inspiring environment for designers to question, refine, and evolve. He aims to listen to the city's history and modernity, shaping the next chapter of 5000. The residency will last for 12 months, starting in January, and Thompson will join a diverse group of U.K. designers, each with their own distinct design aesthetic and vision.
Sir Paul Smith, a supporter of the program, emphasized the importance of the Foundation to his heart. He welcomed Thompson's participation, building on the success of the first cohort. Steven Kolb, CEO and president of the CFDA, praised Thompson's expertise in tailoring and his focus on his brand, 5000, making this recognition particularly exciting for the designer-in-residence program. The program is a collaboration between the mayor of London, Projekt, and Paul Smith's Foundation, supported by British GQ and the City of London Corp.
