Fashion

Room 40

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Spanning five centuries, our Fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dress in the world. Key items in the collection include rare 17th century gowns, 18th century ‘mantua’ dresses, 1930s eveningwear, 1960s daywear and post-war couture.

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The collection is particularly strong from the 18th century onwards, containing mainly European fashion and accessories for men and women, together with important items of 19th century dress for the elite in India, China and Japan. The collection also includes a wide range of accessories from across the world, including footwear and hats.

Exploring Fashion

Photo of Hat, Simone Mirman, about 1955, London. Museum no. T.351-1985. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Hat, Simone Mirman, about 1955, London. Museum no. T.351-1985. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Evening dress, Cristóbal Balenciaga, about 1955, Paris, France. Museum no. T.427-1967. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Evening dress, Cristóbal Balenciaga, about 1955, Paris, France. Museum no. T.427-1967. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Man's suit, Mr Fish, about 1968. Museum no. T.310 & A-1979. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Man's suit, Mr Fish, about 1968. Museum no. T.310 & A-1979. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Pair of overshoes, 1550 – 1070 BC, Egypt. Museum no. 865 & A-1903. From Major Myers collection. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Pair of overshoes, 1550 – 1070 BC, Egypt. Museum no. 865 & A-1903. From Major Myers collection. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Mantua, 1755-60, England. Museum no. T.592:1-199. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Mantua, 1755-60, England. Museum no. T.592:1-199. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Plato's Atlantis, Alexander McQueen, 2010, London. Museum no. T.11-2010. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Plato's Atlantis, Alexander McQueen, 2010, London. Museum no. T.11-2010. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

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Strike a pose with pieces inspired by the V&A fashion collection

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