Fashion
V&A plans first structural redesign of Fashion Gallery since 1960s
Mar
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is to close one of its largest permanent galleries next month ahead of a major redevelopment supported by Burberry.
The Fashion Gallery will close on 4 May and is scheduled to reopen in spring 2027 as the Burberry Gallery.
Sponsored by the luxury fashion brand, the redesigned space will display the V&A’s extensive fashion collection, which includes rare 17th century gowns, 18th-century ‘mantua’ dresses, 1930s eveningwear, 1960s daywear and post-war couture.
The Fashion Gallery has not been structurally redeveloped since 1962, and its last refurbishment took place in 2012.
The gallery was due to be redeveloped five years ago, but these plans were paused due to the Covid pandemic.
“This partnership allows us to share the V&A’s incredible collections in new and accessible ways and, with Burberry, support education and craftsmanship across the country,” Tristan Hunt, the V&A’s director, said.
“The V&A is hugely honoured to display the Burberry name above one of the very greatest fashion galleries in the world.”
In a £1m design tender published last year, the V&A said the redevelopment offered “a unique opportunity to redesign the Octagon Court and convert it into an accessible, inclusive and participatory space that will allow us to harness the extraordinary potential and popularity of our collections, building on our reputation as a world-leading source of inspiration for all”.
The V&A’s fashion collection will be accessible at V&A East Storehouse from next 2025.
The South Kensington site has a number of upcoming fashion exhibitions including Cartier (opening 12 April) and Marie Antoinette Style (opening 20 September). NAOMI In Fashion will close on 6 April.
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