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London has long been a global hub for fashion and culture, and 2025 promises to be an unmissable year for exhibitions exploring the world of style, artistry, and iconic design. From timeless haute couture to avant-garde subcultures, these exhibitions offer an unparallel ed glimpse into the legacy of fashion through the ages.
Whether you’re a devotee of historical elegance or a fan of contemporary style, this curated list of fashion exhibitions in London will inspire and delight.
1. Marie Antoinette Style
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, SW7 2RL
Dates: 20 September 2025 – 22 March 2026
The UK’s first major exhibition dedicated to Marie Antoinette explores how the Queen of France shaped over 250 years of fashion, culture, and design. This extraordinary exhibition will feature couture gowns, historical garments, and stunning audiovisual installations that explore her influence on both 18th-century French society and modern style. Experience the opulence and decadence that made Marie Antoinette an enduring icon of extravagance.
2. Deborah Turbeville: Photocollage
Location: The Photographers’ Gallery, W1F 7LW
Dates: 9 October 2024 – 23 February 2025
Dive into the avant-garde world of Deborah Turbeville, the American photographer who redefined fashion imagery. This exhibition showcases her signature photocollage style, blending fashion photography with personal, experimental works that blur the lines between art and editorial. It’s a must-see for fans of unconventional beauty and boundary-pushing creativity.
3. Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of ’80s London
Location: Fashion and Textile Museum, SE1 3XF
Dates: 4 October 2024 – 9 March 2025
Step into the rebellious world of ’80s London with this electrifying exhibition that pays homage to the legendary Taboo nightclub, opened by Leigh Bowery. The show features daring garments, custom accessories, and rare pieces by over 30 designers, including John Galliano. With photography, film, and artworks that highlight the club’s audacious spirit, this exhibit celebrates Bowery’s legacy as a pioneer of eclectic, rule-breaking style.
4. Barbie: The Exhibition
Location: The Design Museum, W8 6AG
Dates: 5 July 2024 – 23 February 2025
Embrace the enduring phenomenon of Barbie with this expansive exhibition celebrating the world’s most iconic doll. Featuring over 250 rare and innovative dolls from 1959 to the present day, ‘Barbie: The Exhibition’ chronicles her evolution as a cultural and fashion icon. From glamorous gowns to avant-garde collaborations, this showcase is a nostalgic and insightful journey through her storied legacy.
5. NAOMI: In Fashion
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, SW7 2RL
Dates: 22 June 2024 – 6 April 2025
This groundbreaking exhibition celebrates Naomi Campbell’s unparalleled impact on fashion. Personally curated by Campbell herself, the exhibit includes 100 iconic looks from her personal wardrobe, haute couture archives, and ready-to-wear ensembles. Visitors will gain a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on the supermodel’s extraordinary career and her influence on the global fashion stage.
6. Culture Shift at the National Portrait Gallery
Location: National Portrait Gallery, London
Dates: 20 February – 18 May 2025
Revisit the influential youth culture of The Face magazine through this dynamic exhibition. Featuring works from more than 80 photographers, including Corinne Day’s iconic shoot with Kate Moss, “Culture Shift” explores the magazine’s lasting impact on fashion and aesthetics from 1980 to 2004.
7. Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern
Location: Tate Modern, London
Dates: 27 February – 31 August 2025
Celebrate the avant-garde style of Leigh Bowery, the legendary club kid who redefined fashion, art, and performance. This exhibition features costumes, photography, and artworks that showcase Bowery’s groundbreaking influence on designers like Alexander McQueen and John Galliano.
8. Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style
Location: The Design Museum, W8 6AG
Dates: 28 March – 17 August 2025
Explore the evolution of swimwear and its cultural impact, from early 20th-century lidos to the modern-day poolside glamour. With over 200 objects, including Pamela Anderson’s red Baywatch swimsuit and Louis Réard’s groundbreaking bikini, this exhibition traces how swimwear has influenced fashion and lifestyle across decades.
9. The Edwardians: Age of Elegance
Location: The King’s Gallery, London
Dates: 11 April – 23 November 2025
Step into the gilded era of Edwardian fashion and luxury at this opulent exhibition. Featuring Fabergé treasures, jewelry worn by Queen Alexandra, and rare William Morris prints, this showcase recaptures the grandeur and decadence of pre-war society.
10. Cartier at the V&A
Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, SW7 2RL
Dates: 12 April – 16 November 2025
Delve into the dazzling history of Cartier with this extraordinary retrospective. Featuring iconic jewels like Grace Kelly’s engagement ring and the Williamson Diamond brooch, the exhibition highlights Cartier’s unparalleled craftsmanship and status as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.”
11. Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party
Location: The Garden Museum, London
Dates: 14 May – 21 September 2025
Explore the whimsical world of Cecil Beaton, from his iconic Vogue covers to his theatrical costumes for ‘My Fair Lady’. This exhibition focuses on his love of flowers and gardens, presenting a colorful, creative vision of Beaton’s enduring influence on fashion and design.
12. Dennis Morris: Music + Life
Location: The Photographers’ Gallery, W1F 7LW
Dates: 27 June – 21 September 2025
Experience the synergy of fashion, music, and identity through Dennis Morris’s evocative photography. The exhibition highlights his portraits of icons like Bob Marley and his documentation of Black British culture, revealing its profound influence on global style.
13. Permanent Collections at the V&A
The V&A remains a must-visit destination for fashion lovers. Its permanent collections include Alexander McQueen’s game-changing designs, Vivienne Westwood’s punk revolution, and couture pieces spanning centuries. These exhibits are a testament to the evolution of fashion as both an art form and a cultural phenomenon.
London’s 2025 lineup of fashion exhibitions offers something for every style enthusiast, from historical elegance to cutting-edge innovation. Whether you’re revisiting the extravagant world of Marie Antoinette or celebrating the bold vision of Naomi Campbell, these shows promise a feast of inspiration and creativity.
