Here’s a round up of some exhibitions which you might enjoy. Personally, I loved “Crown To Couture” and I have tickets booked for the Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at the V & A next year, which I’m very much looking forward to.
Crown To Couture
Kensington Palace
Closes: Sunday, 29 October 2023
£25.40
This brand-new fashion exhibition for 2023 takes over Kensington Palace’s State Apartments and Piggott Galleries, featuring over 200 items from ball gowns to court suits and handbags to jewellery. The exhibition draws fascinating parallels between the world of today’s red carpet and the Georgian Royal Court in the 18th century.
To book: www.hrp.org.uk/
Museum of London Docklands
13 October – 14 April 2024
£12
For the first time, this exhibition will uncover the major contribution of Jewish designers in making London an iconic fashion city. Discover the stories behind the Jewish fashion makers who became leaders in their industries, founded retail chains still on the high street today, and dressed the rich and famous – including David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger.
To book:
https://www.museumoflondon.
Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion
224 – 238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG
16 September 2023 – 11 February 2024
£20
Opening to coincide with London Fashion Week, this landmark exhibition will be one of the most wide-ranging surveys of contemporary fashion culture ever staged in the UK. It will offer an unprecedented look at how careers in fashion are forged, and the multitude of opportunities London’s fashion scene offers young creatives.
To book: www.designmuseum.
Tartan
V&A Dundee, 1 Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ
Closes: Sunday, 14 January 2024
£16
Tartan celebrates the global story of a unique pattern – how the rules of the grid have inspired creativity from the everyday to the sublime.
The instantly recognisable symbol of Scotland, a global textile of tradition, rebellion, oppression and fashion, tartan has connected and divided communities worldwide, inspiring great works of art as well as playful and provocative designs.
Experience dazzling objects from around the world from the high fashion of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen to Jackie Stewart’s racing helmet, from the portrait of rugby legend Doddie Weir to the MacBean tartan which rocketed to the moon. See tartan worn by Bonnie Prince Charlie and Bay City Rollers trousers handmade by a lifelong fan, together with the indigenous textiles of Indian Madras and the humble Scottish shortbread tin.
To book: www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/
Beguiling Beni: Safflower Red in Japanese Fashion
V&A Kensington, London, SW7 2RL
Closes: Sunday, 31 March 2024
£ – Free
The Japanese dye ‘beni’, made from safflower petals produces red hues and an iridescent green. This display reveals its many uses in fashion, from heel-less shoes by Noritaka Tatehana, to textiles, cosmetics and ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/
DIVA
V&A Kensington, London, SW7 2RL
Closes: Sunday, 7 April 2024
£20
DIVA celebrates the power and creativity of iconic performers exploring and redefining the role of ‘diva’ and how this has been subverted or embraced over time across opera, stage, popular music and film.
To book: https://www.vam.ac.uk/
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto
V&A Kensington, London, SW7 2RL
Opened Saturday, 16 September 2023
£24
The first exhibition dedicated to the work of the French couturière, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, charting the establishment of the House of CHANEL and the evolution of her iconic design style which continues to influence the way women dress today.
To book: www.vam.ac.uk/