Paul Smith and Harrows Darts unveil limited edition collection as sport enjoys new popularity

The British fashion designer has joined forces with one of darts' most established manufacturers to create a collection combining distinctive design with professional equipment.

British fashion designer Paul Smith has partnered with Harrows Darts to create a limited edition collection of darts and dartboards, bringing together two established British brands as the sport attracts a new generation of players.

The collaboration, titled Harrows for Paul Smith, will comprise just 750 sets, combining the designer's signature use of colour with the precision engineering associated with professional darts equipment.

The collection will be available through selected Paul Smith stores across the UK, Europe and the United States, including locations in Paris, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and New York. A launch date has yet to be confirmed.

The partnership reflects the changing cultural position of darts, a sport traditionally associated with pubs and working men's clubs that is increasingly finding an audience among younger generations.

British craftsmanship meets contemporary design

Founded three years apart, Paul Smith and Harrows Darts have each spent more than five decades establishing their reputations in fashion and sporting equipment respectively.

Their collaboration brings those distinct traditions together through two specially designed products: a dartboard and a set of 90 per cent tungsten darts.

The darts feature Harrows' Quick Point System, which allows players to change their dart points using a dedicated tool that also provides additional storage.

Tungsten's high density allows the darts to maintain their weight within a slimmer barrel, helping players achieve tighter groupings on the board.

Each barrel is manufactured using precision CNC milling, creating detailed grip patterns intended to provide consistent handling and balance.

Paul Smith's distinctive colour palette provides the finishing touch, introducing a more decorative element without abandoning the equipment's sporting purpose.

The dartboard has received similar attention.

Manufactured using Madagascan sisal fibres, it features a resilient playing surface designed to recover after repeated throws.

Ultra fine hardened wiring helps maximise the available scoring area and reduce bounce outs, while Harrows' TruLevel system allows the board to be accurately positioned after installation.

The result is a collection intended to function as professional sporting equipment while also appealing to customers interested in design and craftsmanship.

A collaboration built on shared British heritage

Unlike a conventional licensing arrangement, the collection has been developed jointly by the two companies.

Damian Ara, managing director of Harrows Darts, said the partnership reflects a shared appreciation of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

"Paul Smith and Harrows have both spent more than 50 years perfecting their craft. We may come from different worlds, but we share a passion for creating beautifully considered products that are made to be used and enjoyed."

Ara said the growing importance of design among darts enthusiasts had helped shape the collaboration.

"Darts fans are passionate about the game, but increasingly they care about design too. They want something that performs brilliantly at the oche but that they're equally proud to have on display at home."

The collection will be stocked internationally, extending the reach of the partnership beyond the sport's traditional British audience.

Darts attracts a younger generation

The launch comes amid renewed interest in darts, driven partly by the emergence of younger professional players and the growing popularity of Luke Littler.

Research commissioned by Harrows Darts suggests that participation is particularly strong among younger adults.

In a survey of 2,000 UK adults, 64 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 said they had played darts during the previous year, alongside 65 per cent of those aged 25 to 34.

By comparison, 27 per cent of respondents aged over 55 reported playing during the same period.

Across all age groups, 45 per cent said they had played darts in the past year, including 33 per cent of women.

Although the findings are based on self reported participation, they suggest the sport's appeal extends considerably beyond its established audience.

Ara said the collaboration reflected that cultural shift.

"Darts is having a real cultural moment. The people playing it, watching it and engaging with the sport are changing. Today, seeing darts cross over into fashion and design feels like another sign of just how far the sport has travelled."

For Paul Smith and Harrows, the partnership represents an opportunity to introduce traditional sporting equipment to a wider design conscious audience.

With only 750 sets planned, the collection also brings an element of exclusivity to a game whose appeal has long rested on its accessibility.

The Harrows for Paul Smith collection is expected to launch internationally, with pricing and an official release date still to be announced.