V&A Hollywood Costume

When a character and a film capture the public’s imagination; the costumes can ignite worldwide fashion trends and influence global culture. Cinematic icons are born when the audience falls deeply in love with the people in the story. And that’s what movies, and costume design, is all about.

Deborah Nadoolman Landis
Senior Guest Curator, Hollywood Costume


This autumn cinemas most unforgettable costumes will be on public display at the V&A Museum. The Hollywood Costume exhibition is sponsored by jewellery label Harry Winston and will include over 100 of the most famous and iconic costumes from Hollywood films between 1912–2012. Never before has an exhibition given so much insight into the pivotal role costume design plays in bringing characters to life in film! Costumes to be featured include Kate Winslet in Titanic, Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Carribean and Brad Pitt in Fight Club. According to the V&A website, many of the costumes have never left their archival storage and this exhibition will be the first time they will be publicly displayed!  

Audrey Hepburn's Hubert de Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) will be featured in the exhibition. 

The Hollywood Costume exhibition combines two of my greatest passions in life; film and fashion, so I know it will definitely not disappoint! I am planning on applying for an MA in Fashion and Film at the London College of Fashion this year so by the time this exhibition begins it could be very helpful for my studies (if I get on the course and can find money to fund it that is!). 


The exhibition begins on 20th October so there's still a long time to wait but its something very exciting to look forward to!


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