Inside Taylor Swift’s record-breaking V&A museum exhibition with surprise costumes she donated

London’s Victoria and Albert Museum will open a free exhibition of Taylor Swift outfits on Saturday

TAYLOR SWIFT mania will descend on the hallowed halls of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum when a free exhibition of her outfits opens on Saturday.

Taylor Swift: Songbook Trail will feature 13 stops showcasing costumes donated by the Look What You Made Me Do singer.

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London’s Victoria and Albert Museum will open a free exhibition of Taylor Swift outfits on SaturdayCredit: Getty
Crystal Oscar De La Renta dress for MTV Awards, 2022

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Crystal Oscar De La Renta dress for MTV Awards, 2022Credit: PA
Taylor performs during her Eras world tour

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Taylor performs during her Eras world tourCredit: Getty
Fedora from 22 video and Eras tour, 2013 & 2024

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Fedora from 22 video and Eras tour, 2013 & 2024Credit: Getty

Running until September 8, the display ties in with the school holidays and comes as nearly 500,000 fans are expected in the capital next month for Taylor’s five gigs at Wembley on her Eras tour.

The choice of 13 installations in the hour-long museum trail, created by theatre designer Tom Piper and architect Alan Farlie, is a nod to 34-year-old Taylor’s favourite number.

The V&A has previously hosted exhibitions about pop great Sir Elton John and supermodel Naomi Campbell and expects its latest show to be one of its most popular since the art and design museum began life in 1852.

Exhibits include get-ups from Taylor’s six world tours, her white knit from the video for 2020 hit Cardigan, the dress she wore to the LA premiere of her Eras Tour film in 2023 and the black ruffle frock from the video for latest single Fortnight.

Of the video’s moody look, designer Elena Velez said: “Taylor Swift x Elena Velez doesn’t make much sense without a good story, which the art directors of Fortnight gave us. I loved the [Frankenstein author] Mary Shelley aesthetic.”

Elena adds that the gown — created from a Victorian-gothic skirt, a bustle from Amazon Prime and yards of fine silk — is about “our relationship to reason and romanticism” and was “stitched together with desperate and delusional tenderness”.

Other fun items include the wig and facial hair Taylor wore in her video for 2020 hit The Man — influenced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2013 film The Wolf Of Wall Street — which transformed Taylor into a City boss. 

Video of her career is also beamed on to the walls.

The V&A’s Kate Bailey said: “We are delighted to display iconic looks worn by Taylor, each celebrating a chapter in the artist’s journey. Taylor’s songs, like objects, tell stories drawing from art, history and literature.”

Social media is already buzzing. Posting on X, one fan wrote: “There’s a Taylor Swift exhibition at the V&A?! I’m screaming, crying, throwing up. I need to go.”

Another said: “I have to go to London and see the Taylor Swift exhibition.”

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And fans even hope Taylor pays a surprise visit.

Swift stunned on the red carpet in Los Angeles

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Swift stunned on the red carpet in Los AngelesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Strapless floral gown at premiere of Eras Tour movie, 2023

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Strapless floral gown at premiere of Eras Tour movie, 2023Credit: Getty
Metallic jacket & skirt from 1989 world tour, 2015

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Metallic jacket & skirt from 1989 world tour, 2015Credit: Getty
The superstar performing in the outfit featured in the exhibition

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The superstar performing in the outfit featured in the exhibitionCredit: PA
Taylor during the Fearless Tour at Madison Square Garden in 2009 in New York City

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Taylor during the Fearless Tour at Madison Square Garden in 2009 in New York CityCredit: Getty
Tudor-style dress for Love Story on Fearless tour, 2009

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Tudor-style dress for Love Story on Fearless tour, 2009Credit: V&A
Cowboy boots with her name on from her country days, 2007

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Cowboy boots with her name on from her country days, 2007Credit: Getty
Swift pictured wearing the cowboy boots on stage

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Swift pictured wearing the cowboy boots on stageCredit: V&A
Taylor during the 2019 American Music Awards in November 2019 in LA

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Taylor during the 2019 American Music Awards in November 2019 in LACredit: Getty
Shirt with her album titles on for American Music Awards, 2019

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Shirt with her album titles on for American Music Awards, 2019Credit: Getty
2020 Wig, beard and jacket from The Man video

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2020 Wig, beard and jacket from The Man videoCredit: Reuters
The shirt will also be showcased at the V&A

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The shirt will also be showcased at the V&ACredit: Getty
Taylor Swift's The Man video was inspired by The Wolf Of Wall Street

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Taylor Swift’s The Man video was inspired by The Wolf Of Wall Street

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