ERAS DEFINING: The Victoria and Albert Museum is hosting a temporary display this summer showcasing 16 looks worn by Taylor Swift, whose London stop in Wembley was attended by Prince William, and his children Princess Charlotte and Prince George.
Taylor Swift on the “1989” world tour, 2015.
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Part of a free 13-stop trail through the museum — which will take visitors on a journey through its galleries and present some of her looks in dialogue with spaces and objects in the permanent collection — the exhibition celebrating the 14-time Grammy winner, “Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail,” will open to the public from July 27.
Each stop will showcase a chapter in her career and spotlight a specific era of her music and songwriting.
Taylor Swift from the “Soul2Soul” tour performance, 2007.
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It will include costumes and accessories on loan from the singer’s personal archive, such as customized cowboy boots worn during her early career as a country singer in 2007, and a jet-black ruffled shoulder dress worn in the recent “Fortnight” music video.
Kate Bailey, senior curator of theater and performance at the V&A ,said these looks worn by Swift each celebrate a chapter in the artist’s musical journey.
“Taylor Swift’s songs, like objects, tell stories, often drawing from art, history and literature. We hope this theatrical trail across the museum will inspire curious visitors to discover more about the performer, her creativity and V&A objects,” Bailey added.
Image still from Taylor Swift’s music video for “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone, 2024.
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In addition to fashion looks, the exhibition with installations designed by Tom Piper, who worked on the set for the “Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser” exhibition at the V&A in 2021, will highlight the creativity of lyrics and music videos and explore the reasons behind her global phenomenon.
Instruments, music awards, storyboards and archival pieces will go on display, many of which will be seen by the public for the first time.
