Freddie Mercury 2026: V&A London exhibits iconic costumes
London's V&A museum will host Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things, featuring iconic stage outfits and personal wardrobe from October 24, 2026, to January 17, 2027.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- London V&A museum announces the Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things exhibition
- Runs from October 24, 2026, to January 17, 2027, marking what would have been his 80th year
- Features costumes from the 1970s and 80s, including the Made in Heaven music video outfit
- Installations designed by Tom Piper incorporating immersive sound and light settings
Music fans and fashion enthusiasts have a major exhibition to look forward to as the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London, UK, prepares to house the legendary stage costumes of Freddie Mercury, the iconic frontman of Queen. Titled Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things, the exhibition opens in the year that would have marked the singer's 80th birthday.
The curated selection spans across the 1970s and 1980s. It kicks off with a monochrome ensemble Mercury wore during an early Queen gig at Imperial College, which later graced the cover of the band's 1973 debut album. The journey continues into Queen's later stadium years, showcasing his signature crown and cloak designed by Diana Moseley for the 1986 Magic Tour, alongside the outfit worn during Mercury's final stage appearance with Queen at Knebworth.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The exhibition trail also ventures into Mercury's solo career, highlighting the costume featured in the Made in Heaven music video. In addition, accessories and garments sourced directly from his personal wardrobe offer a quieter, more intimate contrast to his theatrical stage persona, giving visitors a glimpse of the man behind the global icon.
Exhibiting personal garments alongside legendary stage wear in an institution like the V&A highlights the enduring cultural weight of Mercury's visual legacy. Set designer Tom Piper—whose past credits include the V&A's Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser—has crafted distinct spatial interventions. Specially sculpted mannequins are dynamically posed with sound and lighting to evoke Mercury's unmistakable physical stage presence.
Opening during what would have been his 80th year, the exhibition underscores how Mercury's visual choices were always intertwined with his performances. His bold style successfully bridged music, fashion, film, photography, and pop culture into a timeless legacy.
The Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things exhibition will take place at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in South Kensington, London, UK, running from October 24, 2026, to January 17, 2027.
Source: designboom
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