Your Go-To Guide for Unmissable Fashion Exhibitions 2025

Always complaining about the lack of exciting fashion exhibitions? From Rome to London, here’s your ultimate list of must-visit shows for the coming months. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!


06/12/2024


By Giulia Piceni. Cover image: Croquis de coiffes et d’éléments de décors réalisé pour le Bal des Têtes, donné par le baron Alexis de Rédé à l’Hôtel Lambert à Paris, le 23 juin 1957, Gouache et encre sur papier, 50 x 65 cm. © Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent

Whether you’re a lifelong fashion enthusiast or a curious newcomer eager to explore, these unmissable fashion exhibitions in Italy, France, and the UK offer more than just style. They provide an in-depth look at the artistry, innovation, and cultural narratives woven into every thread. From iconic couture to groundbreaking contemporary designs, these showcases promise to delight your senses and challenge your understanding of fashion’s impact on society. Step into the world of fashion and witness the transformative power of style as art, history, and self-expression come alive before your eyes.


6 Unmissable Fashion Exhibitions 2025 to note now



1. Memorabile. Ipermoda at MAXXI, Rome

Let’s start in Italy, with a destination just an hour and a half by train from Florence. The MAXXI and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana are presenting Memorabile. Ipermoda, a fashion exhibition curated by Maria Luisa Frisa in Rome. This bold exploration of contemporary fashion examines its creative and economic structures, cutting-edge technologies, and evolving roles of stylists to independent designers. 

Showcasing iconic garments, accessories, and imagery, the fashion exhibition delves into utopian visions, ethical dilemmas, and the interplay of archives and innovation. With themes of aspiration, collaboration, and transformation, Memorabile. Ipermoda celebrates fashion as a dynamic force shaping culture and pushing boundaries, and it poses the question: What makes fashion truly unforgettable? The exhibition will be open until March 2025.


2. Gianfranco Ferré dentro l’obiettivo at Forte di Bard, Aosta 

Moving to the North of Italy, near the border with France, lies a hidden gem nestled among the mountains that honours the work of one of the most visionary designers of the last century: Gianfranco Ferrè. From December 6, 2024 to March 9, 2025, the Forte di Bard hosts Gianfranco Ferré dentro l’obiettivo, a photography-focused exhibition marking 80 years since the birth of the iconic architect and fashion designer. 

Curated by the Centro Ricerca Gianfranco Ferré and CZ Fotografia, the fashion exhibition showcases over 90 rare images from Ferré’s archive, captured by legendary photographers like Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, and Herb Ritts. The exhibit spans six rooms designed to evoke the atmosphere of a darkroom, allowing visitors to explore annotated photos, sketches, and Ferré’s designs. Enhanced by VR experiences, the exhibition celebrates the synergy between fashion and photography, highlighting the dialogue that is central to Gianfranco Ferré’s visionary legacy.


3. Les Fleurs d’Yves Saint Laurent at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, Paris

Until May 4, 2025, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris is hosting Les Fleurs d’Yves Saint Laurent. Curated by Olivier Saillard and Gaël Mamine, the exhibition builds on a previous instalment shown at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech. 

Highlighting Yves Saint Laurent’s lifelong love of flowers and gardens, it features over 30 floral-inspired designs and drawings. It also explores the influence of Proust, as seen in the couturier’s interiors and collections, which complements the floral themes. Additionally, works by contemporary artist Sam Falls are included, harmonising with haute couture pieces and showcasing nature’s timeless inspiration in both art and fashion.


4. Stephen Jones: Chapeaux d’Artiste at Palais Galliera, Paris

While you’re in Paris, take the opportunity to explore a groundbreaking exhibition that celebrates British millinery through Stephen Jones: Chapeaux d’Artiste at the Palais Galliera until March 16, 2025. From his New Romantic beginnings in 1980s London to his decades-long collaborations with fashion icons like Dior, Mugler, and Westwood, Jones redefined the hat as wearable art. 


The exhibition features 170 stunning hats, 400 archival treasures, and 40 couture looks, offering insight into Jones’s creative process and his deep connections to Parisian couture. Explore his Paris-inspired designs, which blend symbols of French history with the bold energy that made him fashion’s most “Frenchified” English milliner. Experience the artistry behind fashion’s most iconic silhouettes.


5. Dress Codes at Kensington Palace, London

From March 13, 2025, step into Dress Codes, a dazzling new exhibition at Kensington Palace, where royal fashion meets rebellion. Uncover the evolution of dress codes through iconic pieces worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Queen Victoria, and Princess Margaret. 

Explore the incredible treasures from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, including a rare 20th-century Japanese court suit and a 1920s Reville gown that has never been seen before. Additionally, contemporary designs by Young Producers aged 14–17 reimagine tradition, showcasing fashion’s power to redefine boundaries. This exhibition spans 500 years and 10,000 objects, celebrating the enduring influence of royal style on today’s art and fashion. Truly unmissable.


6. David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse Study Centre, London

This may seem a big flash forward in the next few months, but there is no such thing as “too early” when planning a cultural trip to London! Get ready to step into the future of discovery at the V&A East Storehouse Study Centre, set to launch in May 2025. Dive into over 1,000 archives and 350,000 books, participate in live Order an Object sessions, or uncover hidden treasures during daily Object Encounters.

Opening in September 2025, the David Bowie Centre will unveil more than 80,000 artefacts from Bowie’s legendary career, including iconic costumes, lyrics, stage models, and more. With curated displays, immersive AV installations, and rotating guest curators, it’s a bold celebration of reinvention and artistry. Whether you’re browsing archives or unearthing Bowie’s magic, the Storehouse is where creativity takes centre stage.

Fields of Study
Art

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