Free images to use

The fascinating story of how jewellery has played an integral role in defining the Vivienne Westwood look is explored in Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery, a major new exhibition making its UK debut at V&A Dundee next year.

From the beginning of her career, Vivienne incorporated jewellery as a powerful and integral part of her designs – to add meaning and give expression to the body. Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery will explore the design language and subversive spirit of the British design house through the prism of jewellery. Curated by the Vivienne Westwood team, the exhibition presents four decades of special archive and runway jewellery displayed together as a collection for the first time.

The exhibition will offer an immersive look at Vivienne Westwood’s extensive history of jewellery design – encompassing Westwood’s sensibilities for historical reference and culture, past and present. Celebrating the house’s symbiotic relationship with Scotland, the exhibition at V&A Dundee will also highlight Vivienne’s love of Scottish textiles and culture through a selection of archive looks.

Recalling seminal past collections and runway shows, visitors can expect a curated dialogue between jewellery and garments, surrounded by sound, catwalk looks, graphic wall collages, imagery, and video, offering a unique perspective into the Vivienne Westwood world.

Andreas Kronthaler, Creative Director, Vivienne Westwood said: “Scotland has always been in mine and Vivienne’s hearts, and I really got to know it through Vivienne. I always go back to its traditions - I even have my own tartan the MacAndreas which is one of the first things I made when I came to London. So I am really happy to show the exhibition in Dundee - it’s a brilliant opportunity.”

Caroline Grewar, Programme Director, V&A Dundee said: “We are delighted to announce Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery as our major exhibition for 2027. Curated by the Vivienne Westwood team, this spectacular new exhibition can be seen by audiences in the UK for the first time at V&A Dundee, Scotland's design museum, from March next year.

“The exhibition celebrates the British design house – exploring four decades of jewellery collections, paired with garments, imagery and video, offering a unique perspective into the Vivienne Westwood world.

“Dame Vivienne Westwood has always had a close connection with Scotland, receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Dundee in 2008, spending time with art and design students during her visit. Opening Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery in Dundee is deeply significant, celebrating an extraordinary creative legacy and marking an important connection with the city.”

Exhibition created by Vivienne Westwood Ltd and produced by Nomad Exhibitions.

Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery makes its UK debut at V&A Dundee next year, opening 26 March 2027. Visit: vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/exhibitions/vivienne-westwood-jewellery for more information.

Image credit: Vivienne Westwood, Photograph by Jo Metson Scott