Here’s What’s On at The V&A Right Now

Here’s what to book and look forward to at the V&A over the coming months. Plus: don’t forget to pay a visit to the Young V&A which opened in summer 2023, encouraging visitors of all ages to play, imagine and design – and keep your eyes peeled for news about the incoming V&A East in Stratford.

What’s On At The V&A In 2025?

• NAOMI: In Fashion: 22 June 2024–6 April 2025, V&A South Kensington
• The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture & Opulence: 9 November 2024–5 May 2025, V&A South Kensington
• Making Egypt: 15 February–2 November 2025, Young V&A
• Cartier: 12 April–16 November 2025, V&A South Kensington
• Design & Disability: 7 June 2025–15 February 2026, V&A South Kensington
• Marie Antoinette Style: 20 September 2025– 22 March 2026, V&A South Kensington
• The Music Is Black: A British Story: 2026 (dates TBC), V&A East

© Marco Bahler

NAOMI: In Fashion

There are just a few days left to see the V&A’s landmark exhibition chronicling Naomi Campbell’s incredible 40-year career to date. Tracking her beginnings being scouted in Covent Garden aged 15 to her worldwide prominence, the exhibition draws together Campbell’s extensive wardrobe of haute couture alongside designer archives and pieces from the V&A collection to paint a detailed portrait of one of the world’s most famous models. Here’s exactly what to expect.

Details: NAOMI runs 22 June 2024 to 6 April 2025 in Gallery 40 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets start from £18 and can be booked at vam.co.uk

Akbar handing the imperial crown to Shah Jahan in the presence of Jahangir, Bichitr. Dated regnal year 3 (18 January 1630–7 January 1631), the borders c.1630–1640. Opaque watercolour and gold on paper. Folio from the Minto Album. © CC BY – 4.0. Chester Beatty, Dublin

The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture & Opulence

The Golden Age of the Mughal Court spanned 1560 to 1660 – a century encapsulating extraordinary creative output and a striking international culture. The era is defined by its emperors: Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, and this exhibition shines a light on their wealthy courts and their immense early modern empire in a tale largely ignored here in the UK. Expect rarely shown paintings, illustrated manuscripts and gold galore.

Details: The Great Mughals runs 9 November 2024 to 5 May 2025 in Galleries 38 and 39 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets start from £22 and can be booked at vam.ac.uk

Set of nine photographic prints on aluminium, by Chant Avedissian, 1990. (© Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

Making Egypt

Budding Egyptologists will beg to return to Making Egypt, the Young V&A’s flagship exhibition right now. Drawing together art, design and pop culture, this exhibition whisks visitors away on a journey through the ancient past, exploring Egypt’s creativity, impact and relevance right through to the present day. Visitors will try to decipher hieroglyphs, discover messages communicated through colour, plus explore the making of objects that populated ancient Egypt.

Details: Making Egypt runs 15 February to 2 November 2025 at the Young V&A (Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA). Tickets are £10 and can be booked at vam.ac.uk

Cartier

Cartier is an unparalleled force in the jewellery and watch industry – but how did it get here? Featuring more than 250 objects, Cartier – the very first UK exhibition delving into this world-famous jewellery house in 30 years – will trace the evolution of the Maison’s art, design and craftsmanship since the three grandsons of founder Louis-Francois set to create the first globally recognisable jewellery house at the turn of the 20th century. Fans of Cartier span royalty and aristocracy across the globe – as well as creatives from the world of cinema, music and fashion. Indeed, the exhibition will feature works lent by none other than His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, alongside pieces from the V&A archives, Cartier’s archives, UK and international museums, and private collections. Read all about what to expect here.

Details: Cartier runs 12 April to 16 November 2025 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets start from £27 and can be booked at vam.ac.uk

‘Rebirth’ Garments. Sandra Oviedo (a.k.a.) Colectivo Multipolar (Courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

Design & Disability

Announced during the 2024 Paralympics, Design & Disability delves into the consideration of disability as a culture and an identity. Disabled, deaf and neurodiverse people and communities have always been important, radical contributors to design. Design and Disability will draw together design, art, architecture, fashion and photography from the 1940s to now to function as a celebration, an educational tool and a call to action, showcasing how design can be made more equitable, accessible and aim towards design justice.

Details: Design & Disability runs 7 June 2025 to 15 February 2026 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets start from £16 and can be booked at vam.ac.uk. Entry is free for disabled people and a companion.

Antoinetta, 2005 by Manolo Blahnik (Courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

Marie Antoinette Style

Her legacy never fades: Marie Antionette is one of history’s most remembered style icons, and – following displays devoted to Chanel and Naomi Campbell – the V&A will delve into this historical figure in the UK’s first dedicated exhibition. A fashion icon amongst her contemporaries as well as to modern fashion lovers retrospectively, the dress and interiors modelled and adopted by the ill fated queen in the late 18th century would have a lasting influence on design, fashion, film and decorative arts, stretching 250 years to today – and beyond, we are sure. Marie Antoinette’s style has had countless revivals – but why are we so entranced by her style? The V&A exhibition will delve into this across objects and media, from gowns to audio visual installations, considering afresh the legacy of this complex figure whose style nevertheless beguiles us.

Details: Marie Antoinette Style runs 20 September 2025 to 22 March 2026 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets are still to be announced. Stay up to date at vam.ac.uk

‘Hi Tension’, 1979 (© Adrian Boot, urbanimage.tv)

The Music Is Black: A British Story

The first exhibition at the all-new V&A East Museum in Stratford will be an ode to Black British musicians. Celebrating 125 years of Black music in our country, The Music is Black will span Jazz, Reggae, 2 Tone, Drum & Bass, Trip Hop, Garage, Grime and more, telling the long-overdue story of Black excellence, struggle, resilience, and joy. Read all about what to expect here.

Details: The Music Is Black: A British Story is expected to open in 2026 at the V&A East Museum (East Bank, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London). Find out more at vam.ac.uk

The V&A (Getty Images)

Permanent Displays

The V&A is known for its eclectic collection of art (including ceramics, glass, textiles, costumes, silver, ironwork, jewellery, furniture, medieval objects, sculpture, prints and printmaking, drawings and photographs), housing over 2.27 million objects across 145 galleries, occupying a whopping 12.5 acres and spanning 5,000 years. Founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design.

Is It Free To Enter?

The V&A Museum is free to enter, although you have to purchase a ticket for most exhibitions.

EXPLORE

Visit vam.ac.uk for more information