Before heading across the pond to visit London, I did a bit of research to help me decide what were some of the main things I wanted to see while I was traveling. I got a travel book, I talked to friends and I asked my readers for recommendations. Sights like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace were definitely at the top of my list, and we packed them all in to the first day. But there was another place that I knew I had to visit before leaving London and heading back to the states– the fashion exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The V&A’s fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dress in the world. The collection spans four centuries and has everything from rare 17th-century gowns to a number of pieces from 21st-century designers. I was sold the second I read about the V&A and I was in awe the moment I walked in Cristóbal Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior are just a few of the big names, whose work decorates the halls of the fashion exhibit.
Vintage, contemporary– the collection showcased the evolution of fashion and highlighted some of the most influential designers and fashion houses of the 20th and 21st centuries. Even in my state of pure delight, I was able to capture a few pictures of the pieces in the collection.
The next time you’re planning a trip to London, be sure to squeeze in some time to visit the V&A and explore the amazing fashion collection.