In mid-April, Taylor Thompson, founder of the men’s tailoring label 5000, packed his bags and traded Oakland for London to become the inaugural Designer-in-Residence of the Paul Smith’s Foundation and CFDA.

London wasn’t entirely unfamiliar territory. Thompson had previously spent three months in the British capital as part of a study-abroad program, but this arrival felt decidedly different—a return, perhaps, but also a new beginning.

The designer settled in Lancaster Gate, drawn to its central location and proximity to Hyde Park, and commutes to Studio Smithfield, where he works alongside a cohort of fellow talents. The London-based program, established by the Mayor of London, Projekt and Paul Smith’s Foundation, provides emerging designers with mentorship, studio space and access to an expansive creative network.

Sitting at Beam café on Westbourne Grove in early August, the 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and 2025 Google American Emerging Designer of the Year nominee reflected on his first few months in the city.

“It’s a lot different than the first time around,” Thompson said. “I still felt like a tourist. Returning and rediscovering the landscape of London itself feels very refreshing.”

This latest chapter in Thompson’s personal and professional trajectory comes with considerable experience behind him. After moving to New York City at 18, he assisted artist Desi Santiago and designer Zaldy before joining Hood by Air and, eventually, relocating to Paris to work with Marine Serre.

The residency has introduced Thompson to an entirely new creative community. His six fellow residents—Eden Tan, Harri, Joyce Bao, Masha Popova, Petra Fagerstrom and Renata Brenha—are all based in the U.K., bringing together a diverse cross section of the country’s emerging fashion talent.

Beyond the camaraderie of the studio, the program offers access to industry expertise across wholesale, retail, legal and other areas essential to building an independent fashion business. Thompson has been absorbing it all while developing his latest collection and refining the concept for his upcoming fashion show at 180 Studios, the creative hub on The Strand. At its core is an exploration of home—a particularly resonant idea for a designer finding his footing in a new city.

“We all have our heads down, especially with London Fashion Week coming up and things building up over time,” he said. “Everyone’s been very helpful.”

Thompson envisioned the show less as a conventional runway outing than as an immersive encounter with 5000: a place for “people to come, enjoy the brand, and see the collections in person. It’s a blend of a presentation and performance.”

Away from the studio, he has been making London his own. He gravitates toward London Fields in Hackney, spending time in the park and exploring the surrounding neighborhood, while venturing south of the Thames to discover the area’s cultural and music scenes.

And what happens when the residency comes to an end? Thompson isn’t rushing to answer that question. For now, he is considering extending his London chapter for another year.

“It feels good to be an artist and be a creative here,” he said. “There’s a sense of safety and comfort here, as well as a good pace.”

For a designer in the midst of both a creative evolution and a change of scenery, that may be reason enough to stay.