The Smythson Story
A world where luxury and versatility are never compromised. Where our expertise meets your individuality. A world where our craft meets your story.
Scroll to learn more
A world where luxury and versatility are never compromised. Where our expertise meets your individuality. A world where our craft meets your story.
We endeavour to make the ordinary extraordinary and the everyday timeless. Rooted in deep heritage, we represent over 130 years of British luxury leather goods at their most refined, with an enduring dedication to unrivalled craftsmanship. Smythson has long catered to the highly discerning, from European Royalty and the Indian Maharajas to the likes of Grace Kelly, Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert and Vivien Leigh. Influential figures, leading extraordinary lives, from Sigmund Freud to Sir Winston Churchill, recognised the timeless purity of our creations.
Today, that legacy continues – a distinctly unique, extraordinary brand catering to extraordinary people.
1887
Established
Frank Smythson opened his first boutique on Bond Street providing 'stationery and fancy articles of a high-class character'.
1890s
Queen Victoria's Stationery
Smythson was commissioned to produce the stationery for each of Her Majesty's residences.
1900s
Bond Street Bag
One of the first-ever Smythson handbags, it was advertised as the bag that would 'always hold just a little more'.
1908
THE FIRST PANAMA DIARY
Frank Smythson created the world's first portable diary, designed to tuck neatly inside a gentleman’s inner pocket, known as ‘the Panama hat of books’.
1910s
Bon Voyage Stationery
Smythson created greetings cards beautifully stamped and hand-engraved to illustrate the golden age of travel.
1920s
Stationery Bureau
A perfectly crafted miniature bureau for the desk or for the traveller. It was advertised as a 'handsome gift for a lady'.
1930s
London Post Box
The leather-bound London-replica post box 'for the home' provided a way for customers to collate their correspondence.
1940s-1950s
Jet Set Lifestyle
English stage and film actress Vivien Leigh was an avid user of Smythson diaries and notebooks. Other distinguished customers include Katharine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Sir Hardy Amies.
1964
First Royal Warrant
Smythson was honoured to be granted its first Royal Warrant from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in 1964.
1970s
Transglobal Expedition
Smythson produced bespoke diaries and log books for explorers Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Charles R. Burton and Oliver Shepard.
1980s
Two Further Royal Warrants
During this decade Smythson was honoured with two further Royal Warrants. The first from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, which was followed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
1990s
First Fashion Diary
Designed to be the perfect accessory for the fashion enthusiast, the fashion diary has now become an icon.
2000s
Concorde
To commemorate Concorde's last commercial flight, Smythson was commissioned to produce a bespoke invitation and suite of gifts for each passenger.
2002
Fourth Royal Warrant
In 2002 Smythson was granted its most recent Royal Warrant from His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh.
2013
PANAMA ARRIVES
The Panama collection was launched in 2013 and was inspired by Frank Smythson's first Panama diary from 1908.
2024
Two Further Royal Warrants
In 2024, Smythson was one of only seven companies to have been granted a Royal Warrant from His Majesty, The King and Her Majesty, The Queen in the first Royal Warrants of their reign.