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From Prada: Front and Back to Bags! at the V&A
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“Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes.” – Diana Vreeland
Due to the ongoing pandemic, many of the UK’s fashion exhibitions have sadly been closed or postponed, whilst some are available to view online; let us keep you updated with our guide to the most highly anticipated fashion exhibitions of 2020/21.
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The Must-See Fashion Exhibitions of 2020/21
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Christian Dior: Designer Of Dreams
View the Curation Online
If you didn’t get the chance to visit the spectacular Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at the V&A last summer, you can now experience the enchanting showcase from home. Dior has released an hour-long film available to watch for free via YouTube detailing the curation of the retrospective hosted at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, from the elaborate dress tailoring to the comprehensive exhibition construction and glamorous opening night (attended by the likes of Karlie Kloss and Jennifer Lawrence). Watch now via the Christian Dior YouTube channel.
Image: © Adrien-Dirand
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![The Must-See Fashion Exhibitions of 2019-2020]()
Bags! at the V&A
Opening 21 November 2020
Do you often get teased about your ridiculously large bag collection? Well, prepare to rub this in everybody’s faces: bags are important, says the V&A who is staging a whole exhibition about the accessory. From luggage to boxes, rucksacks to handbags, the V&A will explore the history of the bag with a showcase of 300 bag-related items and artefacts dating from the 16th century onwards. 21 November – 12 September 2021.
Featured image: Model with Lait de Coco Evening Bag, Karl Lagerfeld, 2014. Photo by Jason Lloyd Evans
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Prada: Front and Back
Coming Soon
You won’t want to miss this one: the first major exhibition dedicated to the iconic fashion house at the Design Museum is likely to be the talk of the town. Showcasing some of the brand’s iconic pieces, it offers visitors a look into Prada’s creative approach, inspirations and landmark collaborations (most recently with Adidas). Future-focused while paying homage to the house’s rich history, the exhibition explores the idea of front and back – the surface of fashion and the creative and industrial infrastructure it is backed by. Coming soon.
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![Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk]()
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk
Opening 27 August 2020
An entire exhibition dedicated to the kimono? We’re officially intrigued. From 17th Century Japanese garments to original Star Wars costumes and designs from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and John Galliano, explore the evolution of the Kimono and its progressional role within the world of haute couture. If you can’t wait for a glimpse of the exhibition, a five-part behind-the-scenes curator tour is now available to watch via the V&A’s YouTube channel. Opening 27 August 2020.
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![Chintz: Cotton in Bloom]()
Chintz: Cotton in Bloom
Opening 12 March 2021
The Fashion and Textile Museum is next year set to host a compelling exhibition dedicated to chintz, the once intricate art of printing pattern on cotton fabric. The unique showcase will explore 150 chintz pieces from centuries across the globe – think bold colours, vintage florals, exquisite period dresses and more. 12 March – 15 August 2021. ftmlondon.org
Image: Detail of palempore. Cotton, painted and dyed using the chintz technique. India, 1700-1725. Fries Museum Leeuwarden. Photo Studio Noorderblik.
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![Shoephoria!]()
Shoephoria!
Closed Until 2021
As 2020 marks the Year of the Shoe at the Fashion Museum Bath, it seems only fitting that the gallery hosts an exhibition dedicated to all things footwear. Launching this March, Shoephoria! will showcase a 100-piece collection of pairs of shoes and boots, exploring the fascinating history of shoemaking. From 17th Century red velvet mules to a pair of Russian boots worn by artist and aristocrat Lady Ottoline Morrell, the unique exhibition will take spectators on a journey through time, from footwear designed for royalty to modern-day Converse and Nikes. The Fashion Museum Bath is set to reopen in Easter 2021.
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![Fashion & Textile Museum]()
Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture
Now Opening September 2021
It was the mid 60s, and a small number of Chelsea boutiques reigned supreme, sparking a fashion revolution which, along with popular music, fuelled the cesspool of creativity and experimentation that came to define the decade. See fantastical pieces worn by the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix in this exhibition, which features rare pieces from the iconic stores and designers like Ossie Clark, Biba and Thea Porter. 3 September 2021 – January 2022. The Fashion and Textile Museum is temporarily closed until further notice.
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