BURBERRY and the V&A South Kensington, London have announced their partnership for a major transformation of the museum’s Fashion Gallery. This is part of a multi-year partnership between the British fashion brand with the London-based arts and culture institution.
The current Fashion Gallery will close this May, for two years, to begin its period of transformation and is due to reopen in 2027.
Director of the V&A Tristram Hunt (left) with Joshua Schulman, Burberry Chief Executive Officer (right)
The V&A Fashion Gallery is one of the museum’s largest permanent galleries. It is also one of the museum’s most visited spaces. While its displays have changed over the years, the gallery has not been structurally redeveloped since 1962.
The present V&A Fashion Gallery 40, Fashion, March 2025
The redesigned gallery is planned to be “a spectacular space, showcasing the V&A’s extensive, world class fashion collection, aiming to inspire visitors and enabling them to experience fashion in innovative and exciting ways.”
An exhibition of t-shirts in the Fashion Gallery, 2015
Joshua Schulman, Burberry Chief Executive Officer said: “Burberry’s partnership with the V&A marks an incredible moment for British arts and culture. It unites two centuries-old cultural icons with a shared legacy of heritage and innovation, and a commitment to championing creativity in all its forms. We are so thrilled to come together with the V&A team to celebrate the rich history of our industry and to develop an immersive space that will inspire creative minds for generations to come.”
Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A commented: “Founded in the same decade, for over 150 years the V&A and Burberry have been pillars of British fashion. Global in our reach, whilst champions of UK art and design, we share a commitment to ensuring our proud heritage inspires the next generation of creatives.
“This partnership allows us to share the V&A’s incredible collections in new and accessible ways and, with Burberry, support education and craftsmanship across the country. The V&A is hugely honoured to display the Burberry name above one of the very greatest fashion galleries in the world.”
vy Caroline Simpson
You can still access the V&A’s fashion collection at the new V&A East Storehouse, which is opening on May 31 this year and online at vam.ac.uk.