V&A to celebrate wedding dresses

Next spring, the Victoria & Albert museum will trace the development of the white wedding dress

and its interpretation by leading couturiers and designers, in its Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 exhibition.

Featuring more than 80 wedding outfits, the exhibit will display the bridal wear chronologically over two floors, and will include designs from all faiths, with most being worn in the UK. As well as featuring the dresses, the exhibition will also include jewellery, shoes, garters, veils, hats and fashion sketches and photographs.

Highlights will include a Pam Hogg-designed gown chosen by socialite Lady Mary Charteris, a purple Vivienne Westwood gown worn by Dita von Teese in 2005, and the Dior outfits designed by John Galliano worn by Gwen Steffani and Gavin Rossdale on their wedding day.

There will also be some of the earliest examples of wedding fashion on display including a silk satin court dress from 1775 and a ‘polonaise’ style brocade gown with straw bergère hat from 1780, lent by the Chertsey Museum. The exhibition will then be brought right up to date with Spring/Summer 2014 designs by Jenny Packham and Temperley Bridal.

Other designers who will feature include Christian Lacroix, Lanvin, Vera Wang, Jasper Conran, Bruce Oldfield, Osman, Hardy Amies, and millinery by Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones.

Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 will run at the V&A from May 3, 2014 – March 15, 2014.