D Matt Smith
Matt Smith is a vintage fashion archivist, curator, and creative visionary whose work bridges fashion history and contemporary design. With a discerning eye for rare garments, influential silhouettes, original prints, and emerging aesthetic connections, he draws on the past to inspire the future of fashion. Through his extensive archive, Smith provides creative research, visual inspiration, and historical insight to designers, brands, and creative teams worldwide, helping shape the reinterpretation of vintage fashion for a new generation.
Raised in eastern Kentucky, Smith’s interest in fashion began with exploring local vintage shops, where he developed an appreciation for the colors, textures, silhouettes, and craftsmanship of garments from different eras. He went on to earn a BA in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles from the University of Kentucky before moving to New York City in 2005 to intern with Donna Karan, then part of LVMH. There, he gained firsthand experience in trend forecasting and print design, laying the foundation for a career at the intersection of fashion history, archival research, and contemporary design.
Through his experience working with design teams and industry professionals, Smith recognized the need for specialized vintage fashion research to inform modern collections. In 2011, he founded D. Matt Smith, an independent vintage fashion archive dedicated to sourcing and preserving garments, textiles, prints, and silhouettes that serve as catalysts for creative development. What began as a specialized resource has grown into an international archive supporting projects across luxury fashion, contemporary design, and global retail. His client portfolio includes Gucci, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Anthropologie, River Island, ASOS, and Zara.
Smith’s work spans major fashion markets, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Sydney, and Melbourne. His archive has contributed to editorial and creative projects, with pieces appearing in Stylist and L’Officiel, while his work and retail ventures have also been featured in Refinery29. His archive has connected him with influential designers and fashion figures, including Nicole Richie, Pierpaolo Piccioli reflecting its reach across the international fashion community. Beyond design and editorial, the collection serves celebrity stylists, costume designers, and film and television productions, offering garments that bring historical authenticity, distinctive character, and creative depth to visual storytelling throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.
Alongside his archival work, Smith is co-owner and curator of Newburgh Vintage Emporium, NVE Ware-House, and Hyde Park Vintage Emporium, three distinctive destinations contributing to the Hudson Valley’s vibrant vintage and antiques landscape. Through these businesses, he brings together independent dealers and carefully curated collections of vintage clothing, furniture, antiques, and design objects. Newburgh Vintage Emporium has earned recognition in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Martha Stewart Living, as well as Best of the Hudson Valley honors. Across his retail ventures, Smith champions vintage as both a cultural resource and a source of ongoing creative inspiration, connecting collectors, designers, and enthusiasts through a shared appreciation for history, craftsmanship, and enduring design.
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