Taylor Swift follows in Naomi Campbell’s footsteps with her own exhibition at the V&A in London. As her Eras tour continues, fans of the 34-year-old singer will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with outfits and memorabilia from her previous tours and music videos. Original items from Taylor’s various musical eras are now featured in the galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington.
Costumes, guitars, and other items from Taylor Swift’s archive have been curated into the ‘Songbook Trail’ exhibition, set to open on July 27.
Kate Bailey, the senior curator of theatre and performance at the V&A, commented on the exhibition: “There are so many iconic objects and looks worn by Taylor throughout her career, from her breakout moments in country music.”
“It’s wonderful to be able to share her musicality and her microphone. So many iconic items.”
“The V&A feels like the perfect stage for a Taylor Swift trail. There are numerous touchpoints within Taylor’s work that resonate with art, literature, and history.”
“There are countless ways we can interpret, layer, and present Taylor’s work here.”
Some items on display date back to 2007 when Taylor was just a supporting act. These include pale blue heart-adorned cowboy boots, a turquoise dress, and a Taylor acoustic guitar made of koa wood.
Taylor’s pieces will be interspersed among the V&A’s priceless collections of art, fashion, photography, furniture, performance, architecture, and ceramics.
A purple skirt and a pink and green sequined jacket from her 2015 tour of the Grammy-winning 1989 album are displayed next to a painting by High Renaissance artist Raphael. A jumper from her Cardigan music video is showcased in front of a piano in a gallery of landscape paintings.
The Cinderella-like yellow gown from Taylor’s 2022 Bejeweled music video is showcased in the Prince Consort Gallery.
A stage costume from her Reputation Tour, complete with a snake microphone, is prominently displayed in the British Gallery.
In the summer of 2023, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City hosted Taylor Swift: Storyteller, featuring a different collection of costumes and objects from her career.
Taylor Swift’s Songbook Trail exhibition at the V&A South Kensington will be open from July 27 to September 8.
