Culture & Fashion: London's V&A to open Marie Antoinette Style, the first UK exhibition dedicated to the most fashionable queen in history

Marie Antoinette (1755–1793), Queen of France, whose reputation as “the most fashionable queen in history” is rooted in the unique intersection of politics, culture, and aesthetics in late 18th-century Europe. Hers is a name that evokes a pastel-hued world of extravagance: silk gowns, towering hairstyles, satin shoes, sweet indulgences and courtly intrigue, overshadowed by the bloody Revolution that ended it all.

Book cover of Marie Antoinette Style published by the V&A to accompany the exhibition of the same name.
Image courtesy of V&A

Marie Antoinette's influence is lasting because she wasn’t just a passive consumer of fashion.  She actively shaped tastes, helped redefine femininity and celebrity, and became a global symbol of luxury, beauty, and scandal.

Now the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London’s South Kensington will host the UK’s first major exhibition Marie Antoinette Style, set to open on 20 September 2025.  Sponsored by luxury footwear house Manolo Blahnik, it will run until 22 March 2026, filling Galleries 38 and 39.

Film still from Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, starring Kirsten Dunst. .
Photo courtesy of I WANT CANDY LLC. and Zoetrope Corp

The exhibition will examine the enduring influence of the French queen, celebrated in her lifetime as a fashion icon and often described as one of history’s first celebrities. Her dress, interiors and decorative tastes, developed during the final decades of the eighteenth century, have shaped over 250 years of fashion, design, film and the decorative arts.

Portrait de Marie-Antoinette à la rose, Élisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun © Château de Versailles,
Dist. Grand Palais RMN Christophe Fouin

Marie-Antoinette's Pearl jewels. 
Heidi Horten Collection. © Sotheby's, Bridgeman Images

More than 250 objects will be on display, including rare loans from the Château de Versailles, many of which have never before left France. The exhibition will combine historical and contemporary fashion with immersive displays and audio-visual installations, offering fresh perspectives on Marie Antoinette’s life, her legacy and the fascination she continues to inspire.

 Marie-Antoinette's chair set © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Highlights will include fragments of her court dress, silk slippers and jewellery from her private collection. Intimate personal effects—such as her dinner service from the Petit Trianon, accessories and items from her toilette case—will be exhibited outside Versailles for the first time.  The exhibition will bring her lavish, theatrical style to life through immersive staging and sensory experiences, including a recreated scent of the royal court and the queen’s own favourite perfume.

Fragments of a court gown belonging to Marie Antoinette © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Antoinetta, 2005 by Manolo Blahnik

Contemporary fashion will also play a central role, with couture pieces by Dior, Chanel, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood, Valentino and Moschino on display, alongside film costumes from Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning Marie Antoinette (2006), starring Kirsten Dunst. The exhibition will also showcase footwear designed by Manolo Blahnik for Coppola’s production.

Moschino runway show,  Fall Winter 2020, Milan Fashion Week, Italy - 20 Feb 2020.
Photo PIXELFORMULA,SIPA, Shutterstock

The V&A’s collection will be displayed alongside international loans, tracing Marie Antoinette’s cultural impact and the designers and creatives she continues to inspire.

Curator Sarah Grant described the queen as “the most fashionable, scrutinised and controversial queen in history,” adding:

“Marie Antoinette’s name summons both visions of excess and objects and interiors of great beauty. The Austrian archduchess turned Queen of France had an enormous impact on European taste and fashion in her own time, creating a distinctive style that now has universal appeal. This exhibition explores her design legacy and the story of a woman whose power to fascinate has never ebbed. The rare combination of glamour, spectacle and tragedy she presents remains as intoxicating today as it was in the eighteenth century.”

 Crystal flaskwith label ‘Eau de Cologne from the  'Nécessaire de voyage’,  belonging to Marie Antoinette.
© Grand Palais RMN (musée du Louvre) Michel Urtado

The Marie Antoinette Style exhibition will unfold chronologically, beginning with the queen’s arrival at Versailles in 1770 and ending with her execution in 1793. This opening section, Marie Antoinette: The Origins of a Style, will trace how she forged her distinctive aesthetic, from fashion and jewellery to furniture, porcelain and music. Highlights include rare personal effects such as her dinner service from the Petit Trianon, her monogrammed armchair and intimate items from her toilette case, many on loan from Versailles for the first time. Objects linked to the infamous diamond necklace affair will also be on show, alongside her final handwritten note before her death.

Slippers belonging to Marie Antoinette beaded pink silk.
Photo CC0 Paris Musées, Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris

The exhibition will then explore how Marie Antoinette’s image was revived in the 19th century. Marie Antoinette Memorialised: The Birth of a Style Cult will examine the romanticised view of the queen promoted by Empress Eugénie, which led to a wave of collecting and a craze for the so-called “French Revival” style across Europe and North America. Dresses by couturier Charles Frederick Worth and photographs by Eugène Atget will illustrate the enduring fascination of the era.

A third section, Marie Antoinette: Enchantment and Illusion, charts how her image entered the realms of fantasy and escapism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through Art Nouveau and Art Deco, designers and illustrators such as Jeanne Lanvin, the Boué Soeurs, Erté and Edmund Dulac cast her as a symbol of beauty, decadence and dreamlike allure.

Finally, Marie Antoinette Re-Styled will bring the story up to the present day, showcasing her influence on contemporary fashion, art and popular culture. Couture pieces by Dior, Chanel, Erdem, Valentino and Vivienne Westwood will feature alongside photographs by Tim Walker and Robert Polidori, costumes and accessories from Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006), and works by artists and designers inspired by the queen’s lasting legacy.

Marie Antoinette is remembered as “the most fashionable queen” because she merged aesthetic innovation, personal expression, and political symbolism in a way no monarch had before. She lived at the moment when fashion was becoming a tool of identity and celebrity culture—and her influence still ripples through how we think about style, luxury, and fame today.

Interior Trade Fair Events: Decorex 2025 Unveils Line-Up for Design Talks at Olympia London

Decorex, the UK trade event for luxury interior design, has confirmed the programme for its 2025 Design Talks, taking place at Olympia London from 12–15 October. 

More than 100 speakers, including Brian Woulfe, Sophie Paterson, Irene Gunter and Livingetc’s Pip Rich, will cover topics ranging from business growth and sustainability to craftsmanship and smart home technology.

Decorex Event Director Sam Fisher said the programme reflects “the latest trends and innovations” in the sector,  adding: “We have curated a diverse range of sessions that promise to inspire, educate and engage visitors, from thought-provoking keynotes to educational panels.”

Among the highlights are:

• Style & Pitch – Interior stylists Maxine Brady and Gemma Gear explain how designers can secure media coverage and harness PR strategies.

• Tips on Running a Successful Design Business – Sophie Paterson, Charu Gandhi and Irene Gunter share practical advice on growing a practice.

• Local Meets Global – Pip Rich chairs a discussion on integrating regional craftsmanship into international design.

• The Energetics of a Thriving Business – Business coach Katy Stevenson-Bretton outlines strategies for aligning confidence and business growth.

• BIID: Scaling Success – BIID President Angela Bardino leads a panel on expanding and streamlining design businesses.

• A Problem-Solving Revolution – Jeff Hayward explores the role of smart home technology with designers Katie Earl, Naomi Astley-Clarke and NV Integration’s Pip Evans.

• Taking the Strain – Designers Christian Bense and Helen Bygraves discuss how to guide clients through the stresses of renovation projects.

• BIID: Mastering Marketing – BIID President-elect Liz Bell hosts a session on branding and social media for designers.

• Elevating the Standard – Pip Rich chairs a panel on the importance of service design in client success.

• The Empty Nest Redesigned – A discussion on how interiors can respond to lifestyle transitions, hosted by journalist Busola Evans.

This year also introduces two new formats: Design Circles, intimate roundtable-style discussions, and Brand Perspectives, curated panels featuring exhibitors and special guests to discuss trends and challenges.

For the first time, talks will also be available on-demand, included in VIP tickets or as a £20 add-on.

Fashion Event: London Fashion Week to Return This September with Expanded Line-Up and Global Focus

London Fashion Week (LFW)* will return this autumn, running from 18 to 22 September, with an expanded schedule celebrating Britain’s bold creative voice and welcoming a new wave of talent. The British Fashion Council (BFC) has confirmed a line-up featuring both established names and rising designers, alongside a series of strategic changes aimed at strengthening the event’s cultural and commercial impact.

Burberry SS 2021

This season marks an 18 per cent increase in the number of designers showing on the official schedule, reflecting Chief Executive Laura Weir’s renewed focus on cultural relevance, global competitiveness, and meaningful support for emerging talent.

Among the changes, the BFC has waived show fees for designer members presenting physical shows on the main schedule and doubled investment in the LFW Guest Programme—supported by the Department for Business and Trade—to host a larger cohort of international press, buyers, and cultural commentators.

Emilia Wickstead

The provisional schedule includes fashion powerhouses such as Burberry, Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Simone Rocha, and Roksanda—celebrating its 20th anniversary—alongside the influential talent incubator Fashion East, which marks its 25th year. 

Roksanda AW24

JW Anderson will host a special evening event in collaboration with the BFC to celebrate the brand’s relaunch, while BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner Conner Ives will present a new collection. Cult label Chopova Lowena returns to the schedule, joined by Ahluwalia, Harris Reed, Labrum London, Marques’Almeida, Paolo Carzana, Patrick McDowell, Richard Quinn, Talia Byre, and Tove.

Simone Rocha AW24

The BFC NEWGEN programme will once again showcase emerging talent both physically and digitally, including Aaron Esh, Aletta, Charlie Constantinou, Ewusie, Johanna Parv, Karoline Vitto, Kazna Asker, Liza Keane, Louther, Lueder, Octi, Oscar Ouyang, Pauline Dujancourt, Steve O Smith, Tolu Coker, The Ouze, The Winter House, and Yaku. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has reaffirmed its support for the BFC NEWGEN showspace at 180 Strand for the next four years.

This season will also feature retail-led activations bridging culture and commerce, with stylist Harry Lambert launching a Disney x Zara collection at Selfridges and H&M returning to the schedule with “The London Issue” catwalk.

International collaboration will be in the spotlight as celebrated Indian designer Anamika Khanna makes her LFW debut. Other first-time catwalk appearances include Dreaming Eli, Kseniaschnaider, and Rory William Docherty, while Kyle Ho, Lucila Safdie, and adaptive fashion brand Unhidden will debut with standalone presentations.

LFW will conclude on Monday evening with a closing party hosted by the BFC in partnership with Outlander magazine, supported by 1664 Blanc, which returns as Principal Partner for the second year. Other official partners include eBay, Dylon, Pandora, Sprayground, The Londoner, Toni&Guy, HM Government, and the Mayor of London, with Malin+Goetz and Ocean Outdoor confirmed as official supporters.

Click HERE for the London Fashion Week schedule.

*First established in 1984, London Fashion Week is one of the world’s “Big Four” fashion showcases, alongside New York, Milan, and Paris. Organised by the British Fashion Council, the biannual event presents collections from leading British and international designers to global media, buyers, and industry figures. Renowned for its creativity, innovation, and support for emerging talent, LFW has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of designers such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Christopher Kane, while cementing London’s reputation as a global hub for bold, forward-thinking fashion.

Interiors Fair: Decorex 2025 Returns to Olympia London this Autumn with Global Celebration of Luxury Interior Design

Decorex, the UK’s premier event for luxury interior design, will return to Olympia London in Kensington from 12 to 15 October 2025, promising an immersive showcase of the very best in international high-end interiors. Featuring more than 280 brands, the event is a hub for cutting-edge design, craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability, drawing designers, architects, and industry professionals from across the globe.

Hyde House - Chelsea Collection

This year’s show will highlight a wide array of high-end furniture, lighting, fabrics, wallcoverings and wallpapers, and bespoke interior pieces, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of luxury living.

Linwood - Maru Songbird in Crimson

British Craftsmanship at the Forefront

Among the standout exhibitors is Sofas & Stuff, a British furniture brand that puts customisation at the core of its ethos. Each piece is handcrafted to order in Lancashire, and at Decorex, the brand will unveil ‘Fabrication’, a new campaign celebrating textiles with its largest-ever fabric release — 211 options including textured linens, rich velvets, subtle checks, and intricate prints.

Sofa & Stuff - 2 Stockbridge 3-Seater Sofa

Also representing British design, Linwood will present new printed linens, velvets, and embroideries, alongside its existing collections known for playful, nature-inspired patterns. 

Meanwhile, Woden & Wyld, experts in bespoke furnishings for the luxury hospitality sector, will display their new custom-made ‘Tosato’ chair featuring Annecy upholstery, along with an accompanying coffee table and decorative boiserie.

Woden & Wyld Poltrona

Longbarn will return with its celebrated range of natural fibre carpets and rugs, made from premium materials such as mohair, combed and felted wool, mercerised cotton, and eucalyptus — all crafted by artisan specialists.

Louise Heighes Studio

Adding artistic flair, Louise Heighes Studio will exhibit sculptural leather wall panels, each inspired by the flowing forms of nature and meticulously crafted from sustainably sourced leather.

International Presence with French and Portuguese Design Highlights

A key focus at Decorex 2025 will be international design excellence, with France and Portugal taking centre stage. The event partners with French Living in Motion, an organisation that promotes French furniture and lifestyle design globally.

Participating French brands include:

Biobject, with over 50 years of experience in contemporary furniture for luxury hotels and homes.

Collinet, established in 1887, will unveil the ‘James’ armchair and ‘Robin’ collection, designed for refined interior and hospitality projects.

CVL Luminaires - Paradoxe Chandelier

CVL Luminaires will launch the bold ‘Paradoxe Chandelier’ alongside its elegant ‘Ruban’ and ‘Carta’ lighting ranges.

Maison Gatti, renowned for its Parisian rattan furniture, will showcase an expansive collection of outdoor and indoor pieces.

Moissonier - Medaillon

MOISSONNIER, cabinetmaking since 1885, presents its new ‘Fontenoy’ bookcase and tartan-accented seating.

Philippe Hurel brings the debut of its ‘Yumi’ armchair and new designer collaborations.

SCHMIDT, bespoke furniture specialists, will launch new kitchen, lighting and interior product ranges.

From Portugal, AIMMP (Portuguese Association of Wood and Furniture Industries) will present leading brands including:

FRATO, a luxury interiors firm.

Alberto Dias Barbosa, LDA, a renowned furniture and kitchen manufacturer.

VISTA ALEGRE S.A., known for elegant porcelain and tableware.

Innovation in Natural Materials and Surface Design

Lithos Design - Tweed Greige backlit wall

Adding to the international flair, Italian marble company Lithos Design will display innovative pieces such as ‘Quinte’, a new marble and metal divider, alongside 3D LED backlit marble wallcoverings, and ‘Odette’, a collection of sculptural marble tables and furniture.

Decorex 2025 promises to be an unmissable event, once again cementing its reputation as the leading platform for discovering luxury interiors, artisanal craftsmanship and global design trends. For those working in interior design, architecture or product manufacturing, Olympia London this October will be the definitive destination.

For more information and tickets, click HERE.  

Copenhagen Fashion Week: Marimekko Showcases Bold Expression of Pattern and Heritage

Finnish fashion and lifestyle brand Marimekko unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 collection in a  runway show that merged bold pattern expression with industrial performance art on August 7 at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Staged in a former industrial site along Copenhagen’s harbour, the venue’s raw, utilitarian backdrop created a dynamic contrast to the vibrant, energetic summer collection. Known for its iconic prints and colours, Marimekko explored playful proportions and carefully balanced compositions in what the brand called a “performative expression of pattern.”

 

The SS26 collection draws deeply from the art of printmaking, with overlapping lines and layered textures forming ever-changing, human-made motifs. This visual rhythm was accompanied by a specially produced industrial soundscape, created from recordings at Marimekko’s textile printing factory in Helsinki and mixed by Finnish musician and artist YSI. The result was a multisensory experience that blurred the boundaries between fashion, art, and performance.

Creative Director Rebekka Bay described the collection as a transformation of familiar ideas into new, unexpected forms. 

“We re-formulate some of Marimekko’s most perennial styles and silhouettes and turn known ideas into something entirely new,” said Bay. “This is seen in a new version of the iconic Marimini dress from the 1960s — now reimagined as a playful summer co-ord set.”

The collection featured a vivid palette of pinks, greens, and summer blues — from peony and cherry blossom to hydrangea and spirulina — punctuated by accents of pistachio, peach, and zesty lemon. The garments created poetic interplay between femininity and pragmatism, mini and maxi, soft layering and utilitarian edge. Every look was paired with contrasting adidas Tokyo footwear, emphasizing the collection’s theme of unexpected harmony.

Central to the showcase was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Marimekko’s most enduring design icon: the Jokapoika shirt, originally designed by Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi in 1956. Known for its genderless silhouette, distinctive silver buttons, and bold Piccolo stripe, the shirt was reintroduced with modern interpretations. Variations included cropped silhouettes, enlarged prints, multicolored designs, and utilitarian dresses — all while paying homage to the hand-painted origins of the Piccolo pattern, where overlapping brushstrokes create a unique third hue.

Founded in 1951, Marimekko remains globally recognized for its original prints and vibrant use of colour across fashion and home décor. With around 150 stores worldwide and an online presence in 35 countries, the brand continues to build on its legacy of artistic integrity and design innovation.

The SS26 show reaffirmed Marimekko’s place at the intersection of craft, culture, and contemporary style — celebrating its heritage while boldly pushing the boundaries of pattern and proportion.

All photos by James Cochrane, at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26 edition.

Copenhagen Fashion Week: Baum und Pferdgarten Unveils SS26 Collection “Notes from the Grandstand” at Historic Danish Racetrack

Danish fashion house Baum und Pferdgarten brought equestrian elegance to the runway with the debut of its Spring/Summer 2026 collection - Notes from the Grandstand - presented on 6 August at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The show took place at the Charlottenlund Travbane, the oldest racetrack in the Nordics, still active today and steeped in history — a fitting venue for a collection inspired by the world of the Derby.

Set between the old horse stables, the show highlighted the equestrian spirit that forms the heart of the collection. Creative Directors Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave drew on their lifelong connection to horses to create a collection that captures the atmosphere of the racetrack — from the sharp, functional uniforms of jockeys to the pageantry of guests dressed to impress.

“We were drawn to the sharp colour-blocking and purpose-driven silhouettes of jockeys — so bold, so functional, so instantly recognisable,” said Baumgarten and Hestehave. “And just as captivating were the guests, dressed to be seen from every angle. That tension between performance and pageantry gave us a rich foundation to explore character, contrast, and everything in between.”

Notes from the Grandstand is a study in contrasts. Sporting elements are reimagined through a refined, fashion-forward lens. Striped nylon nods to jockey uniforms, while checks and vibrant colour-blocking bring a sense of dynamic movement. Feminine details — such as frilled accents on outerwear and softly draped blouses — provide tension and elegance in equal measure.

The collection is also rich in texture and symbolic motifs: powder pink hues and faux suede accessories evoke composed drama, while horse rosettes and vintage lace reference equestrian tradition. Leopard prints and faux leather inject modern energy into the otherwise heritage-inspired lineup.

Silhouettes ranged from dropped-waist dresses to sharp, tailored pieces and fluid layering. The overall effect was one of graceful utility, grounded in tradition but reaching confidently into the contemporary.

The casting blended familiar faces and new talent, with models including Anaa Saber, Emma Rosenzweig, Eddie Klint, Bibi Abdulkadir, and Boy Ewald. Many have previously walked for the house, underscoring the brand’s ongoing dialogue between continuity and innovation.

Beauty direction was provided by M.A.C. Cosmetics Nordics, with hair by Oribe. A special runway-exclusive T-shirt was also introduced during the show, available for immediate purchase via Baum und Pferdgarten’s website and flagship Copenhagen boutique.

For Baumgarten and Hestehave, the show marked a personal return to their roots. Both designers grew up around horses, and this collection weaves their childhood memories of racetracks and stables into a rich visual narrative.

With Notes from the Grandstand, Baum und Pferdgarten continues to celebrate storytelling through fashion — where tradition meets transformation, and every garment is part of the show.

All photos by James Cochrane, at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26 edition.

Copenhagen Fashion Week: Caro Editions Delivers a Love Letter With SS26 Show “Under the Bridge” - Featuring a Collaboration with Mulberry

Beneath the steel beams and cobblestones of Knippelsbro (Knippel Bridge in English) - a place steeped in personal history - Caro Editions unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 collection with a show that was equal parts fashion, memory, and poetic resistance.

Caro Editios designer and founder Caroline Bille Brahe flanked by two of her models.
Copenhagen Fashion Week Photo by James Cochrane

Titled “Under the Bridge,” the presentation held on August 4 - day one of Copenhagen Fashion Week, marked a deeply intimate return for designers Caroline and Frederik Bille Brahe, who were married in this very spot. Years later, the bridge now served as the emotional and symbolic foundation for a show that explored the intersection of romance, public space, and soft rebellion.

In a raw, urban setting beneath one of Copenhagen’s busiest thoroughfares, Caro Editions built a dreamscape of tenderness and texture. Flowing silk dresses, hand-embroidered garments, and veiled silhouettes evoked memories of bridalwear, while simultaneously subverting traditional tropes. The bride here was not bound to convention — she was a symbol of visibility, activism, and individuality, inspired in part by Yoko Ono’s Brides on Tour.

“There’s lots of black, a first for me,” said Caroline Bille Brahe. “But also glorious colours and contrasts. I was thinking about wedding guests of all kinds — different ages, sizes, styles. Rich silks in workwear shapes. Comfortable, glamorous, real.”

One of the most talked-about moments was the finale: a bride in a lace hoodie, a silk windbreaker, and custom Crocs — Caro’s idea of a down-to-earth muse, ready to dance all night. This wasn’t a traditional wedding procession. It was a playful yet profound meditation on the joy of showing up — as yourself, in full colour.

Soundtracking the show was a custom composition by Frederik Valentin. His mix of punk and pop created a sonic collage, echoing the show’s nostalgic thread — a fragmented love story slowly unfolding into something melodic, emotional, even euphoric.

This season also saw a standout collaboration with British heritage brand Mulberry. In a celebration of reuse and reimagination, Caroline reworked vintage Mulberry bags into eight one-of-a-kind designs — adorned with Caro’s signature silk bows, embroidery, and contrasting linings. “In my generation, if your mother had a Mulberry bag, you were lucky,” Caroline recalled. “Now I’ve made my own — with the lining on the outside instead of hidden. It’s all about turning memory inside out.”

Founded in 2022, Caro Editions has quickly built a reputation for blending romantic nostalgia with modern ease. Often working with deadstock fabrics from Chanel, Dries Van Noten, and Harris Tweed, the label champions craft, sustainability, and individuality — always with a playful twist.

“I resist the idea of the Caro girl,” said Caroline. “I don’t want to put anyone in a box. I want people to fall in love with a piece of our world and make it their own. That’s the essence of Caro Editions.”

With Under the Bridge, the brand didn’t just deliver a fashion show — it delivered a love letter. To Copenhagen. To memory. To presence. And above all, to the quiet power of showing up — together.

All photos by James Cochrane, at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26 edition.