The Glamour of Italian Fashion: V&A Exhibition

Last Friday Night I hopped on a train and took a trip to the Victoria & Albert Museum. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is my fave museum in London. It's here really that I became interested in Vintage Fashion. In fact, living such a short distance away you'd think I'd be there more often (I've definitely just promised myself I'll go more). Friday nights are a great time to go - no queues, no crowds and no faff whatsoever.

This was definitely one exhibition that had me oooohing and aaaaahing as soon as I stepped past the ticket line. I have a bit of an obsession with anything Italian anyway - actually, just hours before my gander into Kensington I had been treated to a lovely Italian lunch at a place called La Dolce Vita in Teddington by my Pa. I've only ever actually been to Rome, but I can envisage myself living in a lovely villa in the South of Italy surrounded by Vineyard and sea. Maybe throw in a classic vintage car and well I don't know, an outfit from Dolce & Gabbana? All sorted.

But back to the exhibition... rooms full of beautiful ball gowns, dapper suits and dazzling shoes from the likes of Prada, Roberto Capucci, D&G, Valentino and more. Every corner turned led to a beautifully crafted, immaculately presented, heavily beaded or absolutely flawless outfit. Walking through form the 1940's to the present day was pretty interesting. The best dress (in my opinion) was made by Roberto Capucci in 1957, a beautiful aubergine coloured dress with ruffles, and a matching velvet cape (alas, I took no pics) though a shift dress with the map of Italy appliqued on caught my eye (it even had little pins placed on the map!)

Take a sneak peak of the exhibition here!

Once I'd perused the exhibition, of course, it was off to the shop. At which point I got carried away and may just have bought every postcard under the sun, some of which I noticed I already had when I got back... to my dismay, however, none of my favourite outfits had been printed (My beautiful Capucci dress wasn't anywhere to be seen in the book either). The shop, for me is a killer (so many fashion books, so many art prints and not enough money in my purse)..... And I sometimes spend as much time in there as I do at the exhibit itself. Shop the V&A here (though it's much better in person!) If you haven't been to this exhibition go! and if you have, go again!

What's On?
The Glamour Of Italian Fashion 1945-2014 (Sat 5th April 2014 - Sun 27th July 2014)
Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 (Sat 3rd May 2014 - Sun 15th March 2014)
If there's nothing on I particularly fancy going to see, I go to the V&A's fashion section (this never gets old)