Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, London

What/Why:

EXHIBITION: This spring the V&A celebrates the opening of the newly renovated Fashion galleries with an exhibition of beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening dresses and catwalk showstoppers.

Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 will present more than sixty designs, including eveningwear by Norman Hartnell, Victor Stiebel and Zandra Rhodes alongside dresses fresh from the catwalk shows of Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon,
Erdem and Jenny Packham.

The exhibition will feature a selection of royal ballgowns, including Princess Diana’s ‘Elvis Dress’ designed by Catherine Walker, dresses as worn by actresses and celebrities including Beyoncé, Sandra Bullock and Elizabeth Hurley, and a stunning metallic leather dress created especially by innovative designer Gareth Pugh.