Paul Smith: Life lessons of a cycling super fan

    By Tom McGowan, CNN

    Updated 1150 GMT (1950 HKT) June 25, 2015

    Paul Smith is now at the center of his own fashion empire but, in his younger days, he dreamed of becoming a professional racing cyclist.
    Photos: Paul Smith: From saddle to suits
    Paul Smith is now at the center of his own fashion empire but, in his younger days, he dreamed of becoming a professional racing cyclist.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 16
    The Nottingham-born designer's London office is full of trinkets from around the world. Smith has a huge collection of famous cycling jerseys and a hoard of gifts from the sport's most famous names.
    Photos: Paul Smith: From saddle to suits
    The Nottingham-born designer's London office is full of trinkets from around the world. Smith has a huge collection of famous cycling jerseys and a hoard of gifts from the sport's most famous names.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 16
    A jersey given to Smith by Bradley Wiggins, the first Briton to win the Tour de France and a four-time Olympic gold medalist.
    Photos: Paul Smith: From saddle to suits
    A jersey given to Smith by Bradley Wiggins, the first Briton to win the Tour de France and a four-time Olympic gold medalist.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 16
    Wiggins recently broke the world hour record at the same velodrome used for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
    Photos: Paul Smith: From saddle to suits
    Wiggins recently broke the world hour record at the same velodrome used for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 16
    This Tour de France yellow jersey belong to Marco Pantani, who won the race in 2008 but was subsequently plagued by doping allegations.
    Photos: Paul Smith: From saddle to suits
    This Tour de France yellow jersey belong to Marco Pantani, who won the race in 2008 but was subsequently plagued by doping allegations.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 16
    The Italian died in 2004 of cocaine poisoning.
    Photos: Paul Smith: From saddle to suits
    The Italian died in 2004 of cocaine poisoning.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 16
    This bike, ridden to World Championship glory by Cavendish, is another memento on display in Smith's office. In the British designers' world, there is no such thing as too many bikes.