London


<p>There&#8217;s always a brilliant museum or gallery to visit in the capital, granted, but this year you can give your viewing a stylish twist by booking one of the capital&#8217;s many fashion exhibitions, from NIGO&#8217;s Japanese streetwear at the Design Museum to Royal garments on display at Kensington Palace. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-design-amp-disability-the-v-amp-a-until-15-feb"><a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/design-and-disability?srsltid=AfmBOorW85Ks6nPTfYZ-68v8W44kf2WmBsJcpxXWwwpNbb-W96pEwbfe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Design &amp; Disability</a>, The V&amp;A (until 15 Feb)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="796" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/2560-796x1024.jpg" alt="Design &amp; Disability exhibition " class="wp-image-13433" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/2560-796x1024.jpg 796w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/2560-233x300.jpg 233w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/2560-768x988.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/2560-1194x1536.jpg 1194w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/2560.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Colectivo Multipolar</figcaption></figure>



<p>This weekend&#8217;s the last chance to see this important retrospective showing how disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people have contributed to design and culture since the 1940s, including fashion, photography and art. There are more than 170 uplifting, fascinating and inspiring exhibits to browse, tickets £16. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gianni-versace-restrospective-at-arches-london-bridge-until-1-mar"><a href="https://archeslondonbridge.co.uk/gianni-versace-retrospective" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gianni Versace Restrospective</a> at Arches London Bridge (until 1 Mar)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="697" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.24.48-1024x697.png" alt="Gianni Versace Exhibition " class="wp-image-13435" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.24.48-1024x697.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.24.48-300x204.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.24.48-768x523.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.24.48.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @ Arches London Bridge </figcaption></figure>



<p>With more than 450 pieces by the trailblazing designer (remember Liz Hurley&#8217;s safety pin dress? It&#8217;s there!), thirty years after his death, anyone who hasn&#8217;t been to see this excellent exhibition needs to before it closes next month. It&#8217;s easy to forget what a major mark the designer made on the industry and beyond, with everyone from Princess Diana to Kate Moss wearing his work, but this exhibition (the first of its kind in the UK) really captures his importance. Go worship at the temple of Versace, tickets £30.75. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marie-antoinette-style-v-amp-a-until-22-mar"><a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/dnlo79lD/members-preview-marie-antoinette-style" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marie Antoinette Style</a>, V&amp;A (until 22 Mar)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="479" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/members-preview-day-marie-antoinette-style_1920-1024x479.jpg" alt="Marie Antoinette style at the V&amp;A " class="wp-image-13437" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/members-preview-day-marie-antoinette-style_1920-1024x479.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/members-preview-day-marie-antoinette-style_1920-300x140.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/members-preview-day-marie-antoinette-style_1920-768x359.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/members-preview-day-marie-antoinette-style_1920.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Film still from Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. Photo @ I WANT CANDY LLC and Zoetrope Corp</figcaption></figure>



<p>Considered by many to be the most stylish queen in history (sorry Liz), the fascination with Marie Antoinette refuses to fade. This clever exhibition examines how and why the ill-fated Queen has had such a lasting impact on fashion, film and culture, spanning more than 250 years. There are also lots of events related to the exhibition taking place too, including sewing workshops, see website for details. Tickets £23. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-costume-couture-sixty-years-of-cosprop-fashion-amp-textile-museum-until-8-mar-2026"><a href="https://fashiontextilemuseum.org/exhibitionsdisplays/costume-couture-sixty-years-of-cosprop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop</a>, Fashion &amp; Textile Museum (until 8 Mar 2026)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="633" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.50.31-1024x633.png" alt="Fashion &amp; textile Museum Costume Couture " class="wp-image-13440" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.50.31-1024x633.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.50.31-300x185.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.50.31-768x475.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-08-at-07.50.31.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @ Fashion &amp; Textile Museum </figcaption></figure>



<p>Focusing on London-based Cosprop&#8217;s influence on film and TV, this is a one-off opportunity to see some of the world&#8217;s most iconic costumes shown for the first time, including Helena Bonham Carter&#8217;s wardrobe in&nbsp;<em>A Room with a View</em>, Meryl Streep outfits from<em>&nbsp;Out of Africa,&nbsp;</em>Maggie Smith&#8217;s gowns in&nbsp;<em>Downton Abbey,&nbsp;</em>Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in&nbsp;<em>Pride and Prejudice,</em>&nbsp;and Leslie Manville&#8217;s stunning clothes in&nbsp;<em>Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.</em> Tickets £12.65 .</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schiaparelli-fashion-becomes-art-v-amp-a-28-mar-8-nov-nbsp"><a href="https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/schiaparelli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art</a>, V&amp;A (28 Mar – 8 Nov)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="882" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.45.29-882x1024.png" alt="Schiaparelli at the V&amp;A " class="wp-image-17519" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.45.29-882x1024.png 882w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.45.29-258x300.png 258w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.45.29-768x891.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.45.29-1323x1536.png 1323w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.45.29.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 882px) 100vw, 882px" /></figure>



<p>The UK’s first exhibit dedicated to Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli&nbsp;is bound to be a hit. Taking us on a journey from the 1920s through to present day, when the brand is headed by creative director Daniel Roseberry, it promises to be a fascinating insight into this iconic label, with more than 200 beautiful objects to browse, from jewellery to paintings, photographs, clothes and sketches. How chic. Tickets from £28.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-queen-elizabeth-ii-her-life-in-style-the-king-s-gallery-10-april-18-oct"><a href="https://www.rct.uk/collection/exhibitions/queen-elizabeth-ii-her-life-in-style/the-kings-gallery-buckingham-palace" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life In Style</a>, The King&#8217;s Gallery (10 April &#8211; 18 Oct)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="732" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-at-11.28.52-1024x732.png" alt="Queen Elizabeth II her life in style at the King's Gallery " class="wp-image-18550" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-at-11.28.52-1024x732.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-at-11.28.52-300x214.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-at-11.28.52-768x549.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-at-11.28.52.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Queen Elizabeth II wearing a crinoline-skirted blue gown and matching bolero jacket for her sister Princess Margaret’s wedding in 1960.<a href="https://www.rct.uk/copyright">&nbsp;© Cecil Beaton / Victoria and Albert Museum, London</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>The late Queen was a style icon and this is your chance to see more than 200 items of jewellery, hats, clothes, shoes and accessories from her wardrobe spanning 10 decades. And it&#8217;s not all occasionwear, this exhibit&#8217;s a fascinating insight into what Lizzie wore in her down time (a lot of wellies by the looks of it), plus sketches, fabric samples and handwritten notes&nbsp;that reveal the behind-the-scenes process of dressing the most famous woman in the world. Tickets £22. &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nigo-from-japan-with-love-design-museum-1-may-4-oct"><a href="https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/nigo-from-japan-with-love" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIGO: From Japan With Love</a>, Design Museum (1 May &#8211; 4 Oct)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-15-1024x682.jpeg" alt="NIGO at Design Museum " class="wp-image-18554" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-15-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-15-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-15-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-15.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">NIGO photographed at the Design Museum. Photo credit Elliot James Kennedy</figcaption></figure>



<p>The first UK exhibition dedicated to the Japanese creative, who was one of the first designers in the world to bridge the gap between streetwear and luxury labels. He&#8217;s helped define trends in fashion, music, design and interiors and this deep dive into his life takes us from a recreation of NIGO&#8217;s childhood bedroom all the way through to artistic director of Kenzo, via 1980s Tokyo and a Bathing Ape (remember that label in the 90s? No surprise it&#8217;s NIGO&#8217;s).  Tickets £15.29. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marilyn-monroe-a-portrait-national-portrait-gallery-4-june-6-sept-nbsp"><a href="https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/marilyn-monroe-a-portrait" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait</a>, National Portrait Gallery (4 June – 6 Sept)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="791" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.27.06-1024x791.png" alt="Marilyn Monroe at National Portrait gallery " class="wp-image-17517" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.27.06-1024x791.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.27.06-300x232.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.27.06-768x593.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-07-at-15.27.06.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Marilyn Monroe, by Cecil Beaton, 22 February 1956, NPG x40269, © Cecil Beaton Archive</figcaption></figure>



<p>Another blockbuster exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery, this one In celebration of the Hollywood Marilyn Monroe&#8217;s 100th birthday. Exploring the life and legacy of the star, there’ll be snaps by era-defining photographers like Cecil Beaton and Eve Arnold, books, scripts, clothes and paintings of the pin-up by Andy Warhol.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-90s-tate-britain-8-oct-14-feb"><a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/the-90s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 90s</a>, Tate Britain (8 Oct – 14 Feb)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Juergen_Teller_Young_Pink_Kate_London_1998_Ju.width-1440-1024x683.jpg" alt="Pink Kate Moss by Juergen Teller " class="wp-image-17509" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Juergen_Teller_Young_Pink_Kate_London_1998_Ju.width-1440-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Juergen_Teller_Young_Pink_Kate_London_1998_Ju.width-1440-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Juergen_Teller_Young_Pink_Kate_London_1998_Ju.width-1440-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Juergen_Teller_Young_Pink_Kate_London_1998_Ju.width-1440.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Young Pink Kate, London 1998 © Juergen Teller</figcaption></figure>



<p>Love 90s culture? Same, which is why we&#8217;re marking this unmissable exhibition down in our diary. Curated by former <em>Vogue</em> editor Edward Enninful, expect iconic images by fashion photographers likeJuergen Teller, Nick Knight and Corinne Day, alongside art works from Damien Hirst, Gillian Wearing, and Yinka Shonibare, plus fashion collections by the decade’s pioneers, including Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and Hussein Chalayan. If it’s anything like as good as last year’s <a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/art-culture/review-the-face-exhibition/">The Face Magazine: Culture Shift</a> exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, it’s going to be a sell-out success. Can’t wait.</p>


Unmissable fashion exhibitions to visit in 2026 (now + opening soon)

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