The exhibition features 350 objects on display, plus film, photography, and illustrations, with highlights from designers including Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. It examines how societal changes are reflected in fashion, such as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic when in-person shows temporarily became digital ones, and images by acclaimed fashion photographer Robert Fairer offer visitors a glimpse into backstage fashion show moments. According to Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, the exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes to meet the visionary minds, highly-skilled designers, and the many creative people who make fashion shows so mesmerizing.
Bell also noted that it reflects on how, alongside the clothes, hair, makeup, music and the models’ walk and attitude, society and its values have shifted – and how media and technology continue to shape the impact and influence of the fashion show. The exhibition is co-produced by V&A Dundee and Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, and first ran at Vitra Design Museum from October 2025 to February 2026. 5 million visitors since opening in 2018, with the building designed by Japanese architects Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Dundee has seen a 78 percent jump in visitors since 2014, according to a 2024 Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor report, and arts, music, and entertainment venue LiveHouse Dundee opened last year and hosted Jessie Ware and Yungblud this week. The exact closing date of the exhibition at V&A Dundee is not specified, and admission price or ticketing details are not mentioned.