Fashion exhibitions to see in London right now

London is hosting several excellent art exhibitions this summer. For those with an appreciation for fashion, the city won't disappoint. Highlights include an exhibition dedicated to supermodel Naomi Campbell and the outfits she has worn throughout her 40-year career, a showcase of Vivienne Westwood's personal collection ahead of a landmark auction at Christie's, and a display on the history of Biba, featuring everything from shift dresses to iconic devoré wraps. Here is our guide to the best fashion exhibitions in London to visit right now, and some upcoming ones to look out for. 

Naomi: In Fashion

NAOMI is at the V&A, 22 June 2024 – 6 April 2025. Photographer Marco Bahler.

#FLODown: NAOMI: In Fashion at the V&A celebrates Naomi Campbell’s extraordinary 40-year career, featuring over 100 iconic outfits, including her look from Sarah Burton’s final Alexander McQueen show, the pink Valentino ensemble from the 2019 Met Gala, and the infamous Vivienne Westwood platform shoes worn during her famous 1993 catwalk fall. Discover pieces from designers such as Versace, Anna Sui, Azzedine Alaïa, Burberry, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Yves Saint Laurent. Gain insights into Campbell's early career, her impactful activism, and her support for emerging creatives, all alongside striking fashion photography. Click here for a visual preview.

Date: 22 June 2024 - 6 April 2025. Location: V&A South, Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. Price: £18. Concessions available. Book now.

Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection

Vivienne Westwood- The Personal Collection Christie's London. Photo by MTotoe.

#FLODown: Christie's London is showcasing Vivienne Westwood's personal collection ahead of a landmark auction. Recognised as one of the most important British fashion designers, Westwood's collection features over 200 items spanning 40 years, with all proceeds benefiting charity. The exhibition includes personal stories from her husband and creative partner, Andreas Kronthaler, adding a unique touch. Highlights include her favourite Cinderella Dress, the ‘Drunken Tailor’s Suit,’ and pieces from her ‘Five Centuries Ago’ and ‘I AM EXPENSIVE’ collections. The live auction will take place on 25 June and an online sale from 14–28 June. Click here for a visual preview.

Date: 14 June – 24 June 2024. Location: Christie’s, 8 King St, St. James's, London SW1Y 6QT. Price: Free. Website: christies.com.

  The Lore of LOVERBOY

The Lore of LOVERBOY at Somerset House. Photo by MTotoe.

#FLODown: Somerset House is hosting an exhibition celebrating the 10-year milestone of Charles Jeffrey's fashion brand, LOVERBOY. The exhibition, titled The Lore of LOVERBOY, takes visitors on a journey through the brand's creative process, showcasing archival materials, and striking outfits. The show provides an immersive look into the world of fashion, highlighting LOVERBOY's unique style and its influence on celebrities such as Harry Styles and Tilda Swinton. Click here for a visual preview. 

Date: 8 June – 1 September 2024. Location: Somerset House, London
Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: Pay What You Can. Book now.

Sargent and Fashion

Sargent and Fashion Installation view with La Carmencita, c.1890 and costume. Photo © Tate (Jai Monaghan).

#FLODown: Discover John Singer Sargent's innovative approach to portraiture through an exhibition featuring nearly 60 of his iconic works. Celebrated for his striking portraits, Sargent manipulated fashion to express his subjects' identities and personalities. The show includes rarely exhibited major portraits and period garments, highlighting how Sargent used clothing to create timeless portraits.

Date: 22 February – 7 July 2024. Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. Price: from £22. Book now.

Beyond Fashion

Miles Aldridge, Lookable Legs #1, 2002 © Miles Aldridge : Vogue Italia.

#FLODown: Beyond Fashion at Saatchi Gallery delves into the evolution of fashion photography as an art form, showcasing over 100 images from 48 photographers. Divided into four sections, it celebrates creativity and beauty while highlighting the intersection of fashion and reality. The exhibition includes Under Your Smell, an installation by students from ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne, who visually interpret Jean Paul Gaultier’s perfumes through staged images, using scents to narrate stories of transgression and fantasy. Click here for a visual preview.

Date: 31 May – 8 September 2024. Location: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY. Price: from £12. Concessions available. Book now.

The Biba Story, 1964-1975

Twiggy reclining in Biba 1973 © Justin De Villeneuve, Iconic Images.

#FLODown: The Biba Story presents the rise of Biba, the world's first lifestyle label, founded by Barbara Hulanicki in 1963 as a mail-order company offering affordable fashion for young women. It showcases how Biba revolutionised shopping and defined 1960s and 1970s fashion. The exhibit spans from the opening of the first Biba boutique in 1964 to the closing of Big Biba in 1975, featuring archival clothing, photographs, film, and materials selected by Hulanicki.

Date: 22 March – 8 September 2024. Location: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF. Price: £12.65. Concessions available. Book now.

Back in the Dazed - Rankin 1991-2001

RANKIN - Goldie_Where the Horizon Meets the Sea Supplement 1999.

#FLODown: British photographer Rankin's exhibition at 180 Studios showcases over 200 iconic editorial shoots from his tenure at Dazed & Confused Magazine, which he co-founded with Jefferson Hack. It celebrates the Cool Britannia era and 90s style, offering a retrospective of Rankin's pioneering photography featuring cult celebrities and musical icons like Kate Moss, Helena Christensen, U2, Kylie Minogue, and many others. Back in the Dazed invites viewers to rediscover Rankin's influential work that shaped British youth culture and reflects on his impactful contribution to photography during the transformative decade.

Date: 29 May — 7 July 2024. Location: 180 Studios, 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA. Price: £10. Concessions available. Book now.

Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style

Princess Diana Leaving The Guildhall. Credit - Tim Graham Photo Library Getty Images.

#FLODown: Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style at the Museum of London Docklands highlights the significant impact of Jewish designers, retailers, and entrepreneurs on the British fashion industry. From East End tailoring to prestigious West End boutiques, the exhibition showcases iconic pieces such as the red coat worn by Princess Diana during her 1981 pregnancy announcement, designed by David Sassoon. Also making its debut is a tweed coat worn by EastEnders actress June Brown as Dot Cotton, recently acquired and displayed for the first time. 

Date: 13 October 2023 – 7 July 2024. Location: Museum of London Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL. Price: from £12. Book now.

Upcoming

Barbie Exhibition

1985 Day to Night Barbie. Photo Mattel, Inc.

#FLODown: A significant exhibition on Barbie™ will open at the Design Museum in July, coinciding with the doll's 65th anniversary in 2024. Curated by Danielle Thom and in collaboration with Mattel Inc., the exhibition will showcase Barbie's design evolution and cultural impact since Ruth Handler created her in 1959. With exclusive access to the Barbie archives in California, the exhibition will explore various design elements, including fashion, architecture, furniture, and vehicles.

Date: 5 July 2024 - 23 February 2025. Location: The Design Museum. 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG. Price: adult from £14.38. Children aged 6 to 15 from £7.19. Under 6s go free. Book now.