London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is renowned world over for its stunning exhibitions of art and design, the latest one being no exception. Spanning a total of three galleries, Hollywood Costume pays tribute to a profession that has silently styled some of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema. With over 100 pieces on display, this extraordinary showcase takes visitors on a cultural journey that demonstrates just how influential the costume is when it comes to shaping and defining a character’s identity.
The exhibition has taken an in-depth educational approach, with detailed multimedia demonstrations and explanations accompanied by the costumes themselves. By following the story through three separate rooms you will learn all about the process of costume design – from script to screen – as well as discovering the designer’s role within a creative team, and how each costume is painstakingly constructed.
One of the things that make this exhibition so special is that many of the costumes on display are privately owned, and have not been seen since their appearances on the big screen. You can get right up close to some of the most recognisable outfits in film, the oldest piece dating back a century. There’s Charlie Chaplin, Lord Darth Vader, Indiana Jones, Professor Dumbledore, Spiderman and several famously dressed monarchs to name a few.
If all this isn’t enough then you can attend one of the many special events that will be taking place in association: from live music to book clubs and lectures, or even an exclusive ‘red carpet’ evening. There is even a specially designed Hollywood Costume range on sale in the V&A shop.
The museum itself is located in Kensington, an area that is home to some of London’s best loved museums and notable architectural styles. Home From Home has several superb properties nearby, from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom luxury houses. As well as being close to the river, it is also an ideal location for getting to some of the city’s finest green spaces and only a short tube ride away from places like Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.
