By Han Xiao. Cover image by Fernanda Garcia via unsplash.
Would you travel to another city just to see a dress? For fashion lovers, the answer is increasingly yes. Museums are becoming essential destinations for discovering the stories behind iconic designers and understanding how clothing reflects cultural change. From London to Copenhagen, exhibitions are bringing fashion history to life through extraordinary collections and unexpected connections with art. Whether you’re planning a weekend away or looking for inspiration beyond your Instagram feed, here are ten exhibitions to visit.
The 90s: Art and Fashion — London, UK
Tate Britain | 8 October 2026 – 14 February 2027
What made the 1990s such a defining decade for fashion? Curated by Edward Enninful, this exhibition explores the creative explosion that brought fashion and contemporary art closer together. From Alexander McQueen’s provocative designs to the photographers who reshaped the visual language of the decade, it revisits a period when London became a centre of experimentation. A fascinating opportunity to understand how the 1990s continue to influence the way we dress and communicate through images today.
The Antwerp Six — Antwerp, Belgium
MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp | 28 March 2026 – 17 January 2027
Six designers, one city and a fashion revolution. Forty years after their breakthrough in London, MoMu celebrates Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee. Their experimental approach challenged traditional fashion conventions and transformed Antwerp into an international creative capital. The exhibition explores their individual identities and the impact they had on contemporary fashion, making it particularly inspiring for a new generation of designers.
A Wardrobe of One’s Own — Paris, France
Palais Galliera | 26 September 2026 – 14 February 2027
Can getting dressed become an act of rebellion? This exhibition explores how women in the nineteenth century challenged social conventions by adopting elements of masculine clothing. Through historical garments and visual material, the Palais Galliera reveals how fashion became a way of questioning gender expectations and claiming greater personal freedom. A compelling reminder that debates about identity and self-expression have been part of fashion history for centuries.
Dalí and Fashion — Milan, Italy
Palazzo Reale | 24 September 2026 – 31 January 2027
When surrealism meets fashion, even the most familiar objects become extraordinary. This exhibition explores Salvador Dalí’s relationship with clothing through more than 200 works and archival materials, including paintings, photographs and accessories. His celebrated creative exchanges with Elsa Schiaparelli reveal how art and fashion inspired one another, creating a visual language that continues to influence contemporary designers. A must-see for anyone fascinated by the imaginative possibilities of fashion.
Henrik Vibskov — Copenhagen, Denmark
Designmuseum Danmark | 18 September 2026 – 21 February 2027
What happens when a fashion exhibition becomes an immersive experience? Danish designer Henrik Vibskov has spent more than 25 years challenging conventional ideas of clothing, combining fashion with performance and installation art. At Designmuseum Danmark, visitors can explore his creative universe through prototypes and large-scale installations that reveal the experimentation behind his work. An inspiring destination for anyone interested in fashion as a multidisciplinary artistic practice.
Sunday Best: The Power & The Glory of Black Style — Toronto, Canada
Art Gallery of Ontario | 7 October 2026 – 28 February 2027
How can clothing become an expression of cultural identity and resistance? Sunday Best examines the importance of dressing up within Black diasporic communities, tracing the relationship between fashion and self-representation from the nineteenth century to today. Through garments and visual art, the exhibition reveals how personal style has reflected histories of migration and social change. A powerful exploration of fashion’s ability to communicate belonging and collective identity.
Paris Couture — Minneapolis, USA
Minneapolis Institute of Art | 4 October 2026 – 17 January 2027
What makes haute couture an art form? Bringing together more than 80 exceptional garments from the Palais Galliera collection, Paris Couture celebrates the evolution of French fashion from the late nineteenth century to the present. Creations by Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga and Elsa Schiaparelli reveal the craftsmanship and creative vision behind some of fashion history’s most remarkable designs. For fashion students, this is an opportunity to discover the technical precision that makes couture so extraordinary.
C.Z. Guest: Portrait of an American Style Icon — Atlanta, USA
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film | 15 October 2026 – 21 February 2027
Long before today’s fashion influencers, C.Z. Guest was defining American elegance. A celebrated socialite and one of Truman Capote’s famous Swans, she became known for an understated style that continues to inspire designers. This exhibition explores her personal wardrobe through creations by Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Chanel and Valentino, alongside photographs and portraits by leading artists. A fascinating look at how personal style can become an enduring cultural reference.
Sarmi’s Genius — Florence, Italy
Museum of Costume and Fashion, Palazzo Pitti | 18 June – 31 December 2026
From Florence to Fifth Avenue, Ferdinando Sarmi built an extraordinary career in American haute couture, dressing Hollywood stars and influential figures of high society. This exhibition celebrates the Italian designer’s creative legacy and his contribution to twentieth-century fashion. Through his elegant creations, visitors can discover how Italian craftsmanship helped shape the glamour of postwar America. An opportunity to rediscover an internationally successful designer in the city where his journey began.
Frida: The Making of an Icon — London, UK
Tate Modern | 25 June 2026 – 3 January 2027
How did Frida Kahlo become one of the most recognisable cultural icons in the world? This exhibition explores the Mexican artist’s extraordinary influence beyond painting, examining how her image and distinctive personal style became sources of inspiration for later generations. From her traditional clothing to her unmistakable visual identity, Kahlo’s legacy continues to resonate with fashion designers and contemporary creatives. A fascinating reflection on the relationship between art, identity and the making of a cultural icon.
Why are fashion exhibitions becoming destinations in their own right?
Because they offer the chance to understand fashion beyond seasonal trends and runway collections. From the radical creativity of the Antwerp Six to the craftsmanship of Parisian couture, these exhibitions reveal the ideas and cultural transformations behind what we wear. And with so many exceptional shows continuing into 2027, your next fashion discovery might be the perfect reason to book a trip.
