Exhibitions
Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion
Discover how Cristóbal Balenciaga's exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs shaped modern fashion
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Fashion
Plan a visitSpanning 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
Hat, Simone Mirman, about 1955, London. Museum no. T.351-1985. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Evening dress, Cristóbal Balenciaga, about 1955, Paris, France. Museum no. T.427-1967. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Man's suit, Mr Fish, about 1968. Museum no. T.310 & A-1979. © 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
Mantua, 1755-60, England. Museum no. T.592:1-199. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Plato's Atlantis, Alexander McQueen, 2010, London. Museum no. T.11-2010. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Learn more about Fashion
The golden age of couture
The overnight success of Dior's couture house, launched in 1947 post-war austerity, saw a decade of high-end fashion known as the 'golden age'
X-raying the Fashion collection
Find out how we're shedding new light on our Fashion collections through the illuminating mode of X-ray
The fashion show
Discover the origins of the catwalk show
An arctic goose down padded petticoat
Keeping the wearer warm has always been one of underwear’s roles
The thong
Created in reaction to Los Angeles’ ban on nude public swimming in 1974
The design process: interviews with Agent Provocateur, FiFi Chachnil and La Perla
From creation to catwalk - discover the design process of three leading fashion brands
The 'Babydoll' slip by Carine Gilson
Lingerie designer, Carine Gilson discusses the design process behind the 'Babydoll' slip featured in the exhibition
Fashion in Motion: House of Holland
Designing for the bride
Gareth Pugh, Pam Hogg and Philip Treacy discuss bespoke bridal commissions
About the Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion exhibition
Find out more about the first UK exhibition on the work and influence of master couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga
Art Deco fashion
From Jeanne Lanvin's haute couture to the bold geometric jewellery of Raymond Templier, discover the Art Deco aesthetic in the fashions of the 1920s and 1930s
