Hello, My name is Paul Smith

Sir Paul Smith started his career in fashion at the age of 16, with a menial job in a clothing warehouse in Nottingham. At the age of 68, he has ammased a clothing empire that spans the world, with over 200 shops in Japan alone. Defined by an instantly recognisable brand of English eccentricity (think peeps of Union Jack lining, pinstripe tailoring with outlandish pocket draws, brogues with a flash of colour at the laces), the Paul Smith label is one of the country's best loved sartorial success stories. Sir Paul remains the driving force behind the 14 annual collections, as well as the prolific output of collaborations and side projects the brand undertakes. Interestingly, he is also a klepto- or clutter-maniac - with one of the most curio-stuffed offices in London. Every one of his stores is different - designed to suit their surroundings rather than sing from a uniform branding song sheet. 'I like things that don't go together' explained the designer in the exhibition preview, 'by combining odd fabrics and things on my office walls, I might get an idea for a clothing combination like tweed and silk'. This exhibition will recreate his office in its entirety, providing a key to his eclectic tastes and sources of inspiration. It will also detail his rags to riches career path - rebuilding his miniscule first store in the museum, showing archive collections, and of course, a vast number of the antiques and objects that frame Sir Paul's network of neverending ideas. Following the massively popular Christian Louboutin exhibition of 2012, we expect this showcase to sell tickets by the striped suitload. Booking opens September 22nd.