Victoria and Albert Museum

Launching today, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Art Explora are happy to announce the delivery of two new public arts programmes at V&A East: the Art Explora Art Commission and the Performing Arts Programme. Designed to bring new opportunities for creative collaboration and community participation, the programme aims to extend art beyond the museum walls and into the heart of communities across East London. Turner Prize-winning artist Jasleen Kaur has been selected as the first artist for the Art Explora Art Commission, developing new sculptural and sonic works in collaboration with local community groups in summer 2026. Studio Wayne McGregor joins as the inaugural dance partner, leading a co-creative project with East London colleges, culminating in a performance at V&A East Storehouse in February 2026. For more info, visit the V&A East blog. https://lnkd.in/ezUYdPA9

NOW OPEN - Marie Antoinette Style at V&A South Kensington. A complex historical figure and fashion icon, Marie Antoinette’s timeless appeal is defined by her style, youth and notoriety. Explore the lasting influence of the most fashionable (and ill-fated) queen in history – with over 250 years of design, fashion, film and art. Marie Antoinette Style runs until 22 March 2026 in Galleries 38 & 39 at V&A South Kensington. V&A Members go free. Tickets - https://lnkd.in/eJpdD345 Sponsored by Manolo Blahnik IMAGE DESCRIPTION 1. Mercy Artois shoe designed for the film Marie Antoinette (2006) by Manolo Blahnik. 2. Extravagant historical couture gowns, featuring a dramatic green ball gown with a wide skirt in the centre, surrounded by mannequins dressed in ornate, colourful, and intricately detailed costumes displayed across two tiers. 3. Three elaborate gowns: a cream dress with a portrait print, a vibrant floral patterned gown with voluminous sleeves, and a tiered lace gown, set against a deep blue wall decorated with ornate white porcelain-style mirrors and figurines. 4. A portrait of Marie Antoinette in an ornate frame, surrounded by glass cases and chandeliers. 5. 18th-century gowns on mannequins inside a glass case, surrounded by period accessories like a harp and writing desk, with a portrait of Marie Antoinette in a hat hanging on the adjacent wall. 6. A display of hand fans from the 18th century and a selection of ornate fabrics on a display with a blue backdrop

Bowie lovers gathered last night to celebrate the unveiling of the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse.   Boy George, Jake Shears, Daphne Guinness, and The Last Dinner Party were joined by figures from across the creative industries including Es Devlin, Steve O Smith and Self Esteem. Guests were treated to a performance by Grammy and BRIT Award nominee Birdy with covers of ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘When the Wind Blows’ and speeches from the Director of the V&A, Tristram Hunt, who welcomed David Bowie’s friend, Tilda Swinton, who shared a personal letter to David about this new creative space -   “We are here to honour and welcome every open spirit, curious George and nosey parker who might make their way here, to this wonder filled Wunderkammer to have their own lived time with the traces of your life that are housed here…taking imagination, inspiration and nourishment from the livingness of you.”   The David Bowie Centre opens September 13 at V&A East Storehouse. Access is free but ticketed, and new ticket batches will be released every six weeks. For more info visit https://lnkd.in/euPn86Cf

The first look inside the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. On Saturday 13 September, V&A East Storehouse opens its doors to the world-first David Bowie Centre. A new permanent home for David Bowie’s archive – made available to the public in it's entirety for the first time. There are nine rotating displays and 200 items covering key moments in Bowie's career, including never seen items like a final unrealised musical project, The Spectator, an unseen Ziggy Stardust guitar, handwritten lyrics and Bowie’s own costume designs - as well as photographs, lyrics, notes and sketches and selections by guest-curators, Nile Rodgers and The Last Dinner Party. Visitors can book one-on-one time with selections from the 90,000+ items in Bowie’s archive through 'Order an Object' and via appointments with the V&A Archives team. Access is free but ticketed, and new ticket batches will be released every six weeks. For more info visit https://lnkd.in/euPn86Cf

ONE MONTH TO GO until Marie Antoinette Style arrives at V&A South Kensington. V&A members go free. A complex historical figure and fashion icon, Marie Antoinette’s timeless appeal is defined by her style, youth and notoriety. Explore the lasting influence of the most fashionable (and ill-fated) queen in history – with over 250 years of design, fashion, film and art. Marie Antoinette Style runs from 20 September 2025 – 22 March 2026 in Galleries 38 & 39 at V&A South Kensington. Tickets - https://lnkd.in/eJpdD345 Sponsored by Manolo Blahnik

Today we unveil the new mini display ‘Makers and Creators’ at V&A East Storehouse - curated by our Royal Patron HRH The Princess of Wales, in collaboration with V&A East's wonderful curatorial and collections teams. Inspired by her recent visit to V&A East Storehouse, the display includes a range of objects spanning the V&A's collections. This includes Oliver Messel’s 'Fairy of the Woodland Glades' costume for The Royal Ballet’s 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty, a watercolour by Beatrix Potter and a childhood photograph album belonging to her father, Rupert Potter, alongside a Qing dynasty porcelain vase (circa. 1662-1722) and a mid-20th century sculpture by Clemence Dane. 'Makers and Creators' will be on view as part of V&A East Storehouse's free self-guided experience until early 2026. Photos by David Parry

Yesterday morning we welcomed Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to V&A South Kensington.   The two leaders met for the signing of a UK-German treaty at the Gilbert Bayes gallery, overlooking the famous Cast Courts - home of Medieval and Renaissance German pieces from the V&A collection including ‘Lamentation over the dead Christ’ by Tilman Riemenschneider, the ‘Tomb of St Sebaldus’ by Peter Vischer the Elder and The Lion of Brunswick.   The gallery proved a fitting backdrop for the event, with Queen Victoria's marriage to German-born Prince Albert in 1840 representing not just a personal connection, but a diplomatic bridge between Britain and Germany in the 19th century – a fusion of heritage, innovation, and mutual respect.   Pictures courtesy of Simon Dawson / No.10 Downing Street

We are thrilled to share that Young V&A has won the RIBA London Award 2025 and the RIBA National Award 2025! Young V&A is the UK’s first museum created with and for young people. Designed to inspire creativity, curiosity, and confidence in the next generation, it marks the most significant transformation in the 151-year history of this Grade II* listed building. Thank you to AOC Architecture and De Matos Ryan, who brought the space to life. Thank you to RIBA London and RIBA National for this incredible recognition and to everyone who played a part in making Young V&A what it is today. You’ve helped make it a truly special place for young minds to explore and grow. Photos by Luke Hayes.

Announcing our next major exhibition - Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art. In March 2026, the V&A will open the first exhibition ever staged in the UK devoted to one of the 20th century’s most innovative fashion designers, Elsa Schiaparelli. The show will trace the origins of Schiaparelli, from its first, paradigm-shifting garments, through to its present-day incarnation in the hands of its creative director, Daniel Roseberry. Spanning the 1920s to the present day, the exhibition will comprise over 200 objects, including garments, accessories, jewellery, paintings, photographs, sculpture, furniture, perfumes and archive material – all celebrating the house of Schiaparelli’s boundless creativity. The exhibition has been created in collaboration with Schiaparelli. Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art runs from 21 March – 1 November 2026 at V&A South Kensington. Tickets go on sale in Autumn 2025. More details - https://lnkd.in/e7bVTZg6 __ 1. Long sheath gown, Matador Couture collection Haute couture fall-winter 2021–2022. Wool crepe. Gilded brass necklace adorned with rhinestones in the shapeof lungs. Schiaparelli by Daniel Roseberry, Patrimoine Schiaparelli, Paris 2. 'Tears' Evening dress by Elsa Schiaparelli ,1938. Fabric designed by Salvador Dali 3. Ankle-length coat of black silk jersey with facial profiles, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jean Cocteau and Lesage, 1937 IMAGE DESCRIPTION: 1. Black evening dress on a mannequin with the respiratory system represented in a golden necklace. 2. White evening dress and head veil with fabric featuring abstract pink hand designs 3. Ankle-length coat of black silk jersey with facial profiles forming a rose-filled vase.

The David Bowie Centre opens at V&A East Storehouse on 13 September 2025. The David Bowie Centre is the new, permanent home of the David Bowie Archive – over 90,000 items highlighting Bowie’s impact on music, fashion, tech and self-expression. Immerse yourself in Bowie’s creative world across nine displays, including rotating curated displays - the first by Bowie collaborator and legend Nile Rodgers and The Last Dinner Party. You can even book one-on-one time with items from the archive, including costumes, handwritten lyrics, instruments and props - using our ‘Order An Object’ service. Entry to the David Bowie Centre will be free but through a ticketing system. Information on how to get your free tickets will be shared soon. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/ehpMWFzi Image Credit: Aladdin Sane Contact Sheet © Duffy Archive & © The David Bowie Archive™️