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All The Fashion Exhibitions To Take Your Cultured Friend To

And we recommend dressing the part

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fashion exhibitions
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There's nothing like getting off our phones and Netflix, and heading outdoors for a healthy dose of history. Thankfully, the cultural calendar isn't short of exhibitions offering just that, on from now right up until the end of 2022 (and beyond). Whether you're in Paris or London, there's something worth taking your nearest and dearest to.

One show already on our radar is the Gianni Versace retrospective coming in December, which will be held at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands in time for the 25th anniversary of the designer's death. With hundreds of archive looks on show, it's set to be spectacular – and well worth the plane fare.

Though for those who require their fashion exhibition fix a little sooner (read: now) there are plenty of others to choose from a little closer to home. The Saatchi Gallery's long-anticipated 'The New Black Vanguard' exhibition has just opened and is already one of the hottest tickets of the season, while the V&A is hosting its first-ever show dedicated solely to menswear.

If that's given you the urge to get out there and see a great exhibition, here are some shows that are currently on the ELLE UK team's radar.

1

The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion at Saatchi Gallery

fashion exhibitions
© Tyler Mitchell, Untitled (Hijab Couture), New York, 2019, from The New Black Vanguard (Aperture, 2019)

Curated by American writer and critic Antwaun Sargent, the Saatchi Gallery's ground-breaking The New Black Vanguard exhibition is an absolute must-visit this season – and for those with a love of fashion, art, photography (and their combination) in particular.

Showcasing the works of 15 contemporary Black photographers across various rooms, the just-opened exhibit focuses on the new wave of fashion portraiture celebrating Black culture and breaking down age-old boundaries – from the trailblazing photographers themselves to the stylists, models, make-up artists and creative directors providing important new perspectives.

Visitors can expect to see stunning images by the likes of Campbell Addy, Tyler Mitchell and Nadine Ijewere, alongside a special 'New Gazes II' section dedicated to works created in partnership with Burberry to explore new notions of identity, beauty and desire.

Dates: Now until January 22, 2023

Tickets: From £10.00

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2

Steven Meisel 1993: A Year in Photographs at Muelle de la Batería in Galicia, Spain

fashion exhibitions
1996-98 AccuSoft Inc., All rights reserved

One of the most prolific and celebrated fashion photographers of this generation, Steven Meisel has enjoyed a glittering, decades-spanning career – but it was the year of 1993 that truly saw him come into his own. Over twelve months, he shot more than 100 editorials and campaigns, as well as 28 international covers featuring some of the biggest names in the industry. Now for the first time, a new exhibition in the Galician town of A Coruña brings together hundreds of iconic works from this blockbuster year, including striking portraits of the likes of Isabella Blow, Linda Evangelista and Brent King.

Dates: Now until May 1, 2023

Tickets: Free

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3

La Galerie Dior at 30 Avenue Montaigne, Paris

This is an image

Dior's just-refurbished 30 Avenue Montaigne flagship is home to everything from an exclusive boutique and jewellery atelier to restaurants and gardens – so it's only right there be a permanent exhibition space to celebrate the Maison's glittering history too.

La Galerie Dior tells the story of Parisian haute couture through original sketches, signature silhouettes and rare items from the House of Dior archives, many of which have never been displayed before.

But the jewel in La Galerie Dior's glittering crown has to be the colour-coded collection of over 1,800 items from the fashion house's past, featuring everything from bags and hats to extravagant gowns. A dream to gaze upon for any fashion fan, but even more so for those with an eye for the iconic pieces which have made for many an iconic red-carpet moment.

Dates: Permanent.

Tickets: Free, with time-slots bookable in advance.

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4

Africa Fashion at the V&A South Kensington

fashion exhibitions
Models holding hands, Lagos, Nigeria, 2019 by Stephen Tayo. Courtesy Lagos Fashion Week

An exploration of 'the vitality and global impact of a fashion scene as dynamic and varied as the continent itself', Africa Fashion is the UK's most extensive exhibition of African fashions to date – comprising over 250 objects including garments, photographs and films.

Highlights include never-before-exhibited clothes from the personal archives of important mid-twentieth century African designers, as well as section that tells the story of how the making and wearing of indigenous clothes became a strategic political act.

Dates: Until April 16, 2023

Tickets: £16.00

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5

Gianni Versace Retrospective at the Groninger Museum

fashion exhibitions 2022
Dave M. Benett//Getty Images

It will be well worth a trip to the Netherlands come December to catch the Gianni Versace retrospective ahead of the 25th anniversary of his death.

The exhibition will be a spectacular showcase of Versace's most iconic designs, alongside sketches, fabrics, exclusive footage and an exploration of his influence

Dates: December 2, 2022 - May 7, 2023

Tickets: Released soon.

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6

Hallyu! The Korean Wave at V&A South Kensington

fashion exhibitions
© Minju Kim, Photo Sangmi An, Model Leehyun Kim

It seems the whole world's gone mad for South Korean culture, so it's only right that the V&A dedicate an entire exhibition to it – with a special section dedicated to all the fabulous fashion, of course. Discover the hottest designers coming out of Seoul, learn about clothing traditions and see iconic looks from the likes of Miss Sohee.

Dates: Now until June 23, 2023

Tickets: £20.00

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