Paul Smith’s Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America have selected menswear designer Taylor Thompson as the American recipient of the inaugural designer-in-residence program.
Thompson will join the second group of six U.K. designers who have been selected for The Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield — a program that supports designers with mentorship and studio space in London.
Thompson, a 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and a 2025 Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year nominee for the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards, got his start in fashion at 18 and debuted his brand, 5000, on the runway for fall 2025. The menswear brand features updated styles of classic tailoring.
“London has a quiet way of inspiring change. That gives designers room to question, to refine, to evolve. The residency with Paul Smith is an opportunity to listen to the city, to its history and its modernity, and to let that dialogue shape the next chapter of 5000,” Thompson said.
Thompson will join the U.K. designers: Harri, Joyce Bao, Renata Brenha, Petra Fagerstrom, Masha Popova and Eden Tan, all of whom were chosen for their distinct design aesthetic and vision. The recipients will begin their residency in January and it will last for 12 months.
“Paul Smith’s Foundation is something that is so close to my heart,” said Sir Paul Smith. “In January next year we start with our new cohort of seven designers in a residency based in London, and very pleased to have a visitor from America. The first cohort has been a great success so long may it continue.”
Steven Kolb, chief executive officer and president of the CFDA, added: “Taylor Thompson’s expertise and focus on tailoring for his brand 5000 makes this recognition as our inaugural designer-in-residence especially exciting as he embarks on a unique opportunity to gain invaluable experience alongside Sir Paul Smith and a community of international designers at Studio Smithfield.”
The program was established by the mayor of London, Projekt and Paul Smith’s Foundation with support from British GQ and enabled through the City of London Corp.
