Exhibition On now until Sunday, 12 March 2017

Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear

Discover the fascinating and sometimes controversial story of underwear design from the 18th century to the present day

£12.00Get tickets

Hold tight: the lingerie show that will take your breath away

Anna Murphy, The Times

This exhibition explores the intimate relationship between underwear and fashion and its role in moulding the body to a fashionable ideal, with cut, fit, fabric and decoration revealing issues of gender, sex and morality.

  • On now until Sunday, 12 March 2017
  • Daily: 10.00 - 17.30 Last ticketed entry 16.15 Friday: 10.00 - 21.30 Last ticketed entry 20.15
  • Room 40
  • Tickets cost £12.00

    Concessions apply.
    Advance booking is recommended.

Book now

Exhibitions are free for V&A Members

Sponsored by

Agent Provocateur is delighted to partner with the V&A to be the leading lingerie sponsor for the Undressed Exhibition. Founded in 1994 Agent Provocateur’s unique brand image is renowned for being provocative while celebrating and empowering women.

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Sponsored by

With over 80 years’ experience revolutionizing the beauty industry and allowing women to express their most glamorous selves, Revlon are thrilled to be a sponsor of the exhibition Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear. As a brand, Revlon aims to empower and celebrate women.

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Exhibition Highlights

Poster2015ht4021
Advertising poster designed by Hans Schleger for the Charnaux Patent Corset Co. Ltd, about 1936. Courtesy of the Hans Schleger Estate

Brixton boyz2010ek0815
Brixton Boyz, Jennie Baptiste, 2001. Museum no. E.971-2010. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Paltrow dress
Close Trompe l’oeil corset dress, designed by Antonio Berardi, Spring/Summer 2009, worn by Gwyneth Paltrow. © Sipa Press, REX Shutterstock

Corset2010ee8072
Corset, cotton, whalebone, about 1890. Museum no. T.90-1984. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Sibling2015hu9794
Man’s top and pants, designed by Sibling, Spring/Summer 2013. Museum no. T.86:1-2015. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Tamila
Close ‘Tamila’ lingerie set from the Agent Provocateur Soirée collection, Spring/Summer 2015. Photographer Sebastian Faena, Model Eniko Mihalik

More to Do

In-depth

Exhibition shop

Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear

Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear

Presenting highlights from the Victoria and Albert Museum's exhibition 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear', this book explores the history of men's and women's underwear since 1750.

£10.00 Buy
Floral Tie Knickers by Agent Provocateur

Floral Tie Knickers by Agent Provocateur

Created exclusively for the V&A exhibition Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear, these playful tie-side knickers feature a reworked 1930s floral pattern taken from a fabric in the V&A’s Textile and Dress archive.

£35.00 Buy
Y-Front Man Enamel Pin

Y-Front Man Enamel Pin

This handsome enamel pin depicts a 1950s retail display figure promoting the Y-front brief.

£7.50 Buy
Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear
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