The 'golden age' of couture
The overnight success of Dior's couture house, launched in 1947 post-war austerity, saw a decade of high-end fashion known as the 'golden age'
Spanning five centuries, our Fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dress in the world. Key items in the collection include rare 17th century gowns, 18th century ‘mantua’ dresses, 1930s eveningwear, 1960s daywear and post-war couture.
Read more Read lessThe overnight success of Dior's couture house, launched in 1947 post-war austerity, saw a decade of high-end fashion known as the 'golden age'
Discover the key trends in fashion photography over the last 100 years
Take a peek at our underwear collection
Watch dressmaking expert and V&A volunteer, Sue Clark, as she examines Christian Dior's 'Bar' suit
From Jeanne Lanvin's haute couture to the bold geometric jewellery of Raymond Templier, discover the Art Deco aesthetic in the fashions of the 1920s and 1930s
Discover era-defining style magazine BLITZ and their designer denim jacket project
As the fashion industry continues to plunder the earth's resources, innovators are striving to find alternative production processes
Find out how we're shedding new light on our Fashion collections through the illuminating mode of X-ray
Discover the origins of the catwalk show
From creation to catwalk - discover the design process of three leading fashion brands
Discover the hidden interior structures of iconic garments by Cristóbal Balenciaga, revealed through beautiful X-rays
Lingerie designer, Carine Gilson discusses the design process behind the 'Babydoll' slip featured in the exhibition
Gareth Pugh, Pam Hogg and Philip Treacy discuss bespoke bridal commissions
Find out why dressing for an ocean voyage was "the acid test of true chic"
Meet Katie Jones – technicolour knitwear and crochet designer passionate about her ethical craft
Recreating the beautiful hot-pink beading and sequin work of Balenciaga's 1967 evening coat.
Animated dress patterns show how three of Balenciaga's iconic designs were constructed, revealing his mastery of pattern cutting, draping and manipulation of fabrics.
How did the ideas of the Arts and Crafts movement influence the design and manufacture of clothes, accessories and jewellery?
Discover the internal structures of a hat, stays, and a hood - three historic objects from the exhibition, Fashioned from Nature
Find out how the development of the humble pocket offered independence and security for women
Working with colleagues at the Natural History Museum, London, we explore some of the materials used to create fashion that are drawn from the natural world
Discover more about how nature has provided a rich source of inspiration for fashion over the centuries
The glamour of first-class travel is brought to life for the exhibition Ocean Liners: Speed and Style
Discover how knitted fabrics have created glamorous evening dresses through the 20th century and beyond
Despite using the natural world as a source book, the fashion industry's processes and practices harm environments, ecosystems and human communities globally
Milliner, Stephen Jones, discusses working alongside Dior to create exquisite hats and headpieces to complement their designs
Jean Dawnay's daughter, Katya Galitzine, discusses her Mother's modelling career during Dior's golden age
Discover how influential British fashion label BodyMap shaped the 1980s catwalk scene
A confirmed Anglophile, Christian Dior associated his many visits to Britain with "a sensation of happiness and great personal freedom"
Listen to 1950s Dior mannequin Svetlana Lloyd discussing working for the house
Sweet, punk or gothic?
Get creative with our free downloadable sewing pattern!
Fashion in Motion has brought free catwalk shows to the public for the past 20 years
Meet American artist, fashion designer and computer art pioneer, Barbara Nessim
Couturier Madeleine Vionnet changed the shape of women's fashion with her revolutionary 'bias-cutting' technique
Shocking, subversive, surreal – meet Elsa Schiaparelli
Fashion designer Paul Poiret describes his debut as a couturier in this extract from his 1931 autobiography
Discover the humble beginnings of a legendary fashion label
Fashion journalist Ernestine Carter recalls her first glimpse of Christian Dior's 'New Look' in this extract from her autobiography
Couturier Norman Hartnell describes the pinnacle of his career: designing the Coronation dress for Queen Elizabeth II
Take a look at the complex process of making bags
A voluminous kinetic 'halo' hovers around a magical feathered dress
Hear from enigmatic fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto as he talks about his career and design values
Sustainable, ethical fashion, "for people who dream in colour"
From ruffle-fronted shirts, to Y-fronts, jock-straps and Calvin Kleins, explore the hidden history of men's underwear
Take a look inside our first major exhibition to celebrate the art of menswear
Sumptuous and subversive fashions which disregard gender
Clothing as "armour for the now", or architecture for the body
Discover the dazzling spectrum of colours in menswear throughout history
"One of the most important outfits in a man's wardrobe is a tracksuit"
Take a look inside the wardrobe of Professor Lalage Bown, OBE
Find out about the personal stories and unique fashion histories from individuals across the continent
Legendary couturier Pierre Balmain recalls his fledgeling fashion show in this extract from his autobiography
This Intriguing set of tortoiseshell objects reveal a colonial history
Meet iconic fashion designer Shade Thomas-Fahm
Follow the conservation of two uniquely connected objects – a rare double acquisition for the museum
Meet Nisha Kanabar, founder and CEO of Industrie Africa
Meet Alphadi – world renowned fashion designer drawing upon histories and cultures from across the continent
Join Senior Curator Christine Checinska as she examines this striking fuchsia ensemble
Curator Rosalind McKever explores fashion, gender and identity in Virgina Woolf’s novel 'Orlando'.
Discover a dazzling 1960s evening dress by Yves Saint Laurent and matching shoes by Roger Vivier
Explore three unique dresses spanning 100 years of fashion history
Explore the evolution of Gabrielle Chanel's design philosophy through her most enduring and recognisable pieces
See the exquisite hand-sewn detailing of a suit made for a star