London’s home of science and arts
Fashion and style are synonymous with South Kensington. Look back in time or look to the future of fashion at some of London's leading museums.
Spanning five centuries, the Fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dresses in the world.
One of the finest collections of jewelry in the world - over 3,500 jewels, including pendants given by Queen Elizabeth I.
Some of nature's most unique and valuable treasures are on display in the Vault gallery. See the world's largest collection of coloured diamonds, discover gems that glow in the dark, and marvel at rare meteorites from out of this world.
From ancient Chinese ceramics to Alexander McQueen evening dresses, take an incredible journey through 5000 years of human creativity with the V&A's online collections.
The V&A is staging its first Africa Fashion exhibition, which will be as eclectic and varied, diverse and dynamic as its people. It will tell a story of fashion as a self-defining art form; a kind of movement culture that goes beyond individual garments to encompass attitude, gesture, style - and the V&A has issued a public call-out for garments, personal stories and pictures from people who have worn designs by Alphadi, Thomas-Fahm, Seydou and Ansah. calling out to its visitors to share this incredible story.
The V&A is reopening on 19 May. Book your free timed-entry and get ready to explore seven miles of galleries and a host of new exhibitions and displays in the world's leading museum of art, design and performance.
If you would like to keep up to-date with everything that is happening at our amazing science and arts institutions in South Ken, why not sign-up to our weekly newsletter. Bursting with great content, you'll be spoilt for choice. Every week, there's something different to see and do, from fantastic new exhibitions and wonderous collections to unique, one-off events to tantalise and excite. And if you're comfortably settled at home, we have just as much fun online. Quirky, different, entertaining, there's something for everyone.
Cromwell Place, South Kensington’s highly anticipated flexible arts space, has recently announced that it will officially open its doors on 10 October 2020 following five years in development. Bringing a new dynamic to the London art scene, Cromwell Place is an arts membership organisation - the first of its kind globally - providing a hub for UK and international galleries, dealers, advisors, curators, collectors and art professionals.
Japan House London has re-opened on its ground floor. To help protect your safety, they will be limiting visitor numbers by operating a timed-entry ticketing system. Booking is open for visits from 9 - 31 July.
Distinct, elegant and vivid in colour, items from the V&A's fashion collections reveal the relationship between Art Deco design and the clothing and jewellery of the 1920s and 1930s. Jeanne Lanvin's 1930s beautiful evening dresses were the epitome of Art Deco elegance, combining simple, fluid forms with severe geometry. Immerse yourself in a bygone era!
Take an intimate look behind the scenes at the V&A in a 6-part series with BBC Two. Made with BBC Arts and Blast! Films, Secrets of the Museum explores some of the most fascinating objects and the curators, conservators, tech experts and teams who look after them.
From rucksacks to despatch boxes, Birkin bags to Louis Vuitton luggage, Bags! will explore the style, function, design and craftsmanship of the ultimate accessory.
A wonderful opportunity to explore the intimate relationship between fashion designer and royal client. Featuring never-before-seen items from the archives of some of the most celebrated royal couturiers of the 20th century, set alongside examples of the glittering gowns and stylish tailoring created for three generations of royal women, the exhibition also includes the wedding dress of Diana, Princess of Wales.
