Get yourselves ready for a truly royal treat at the V&A, as the iconic museum rolls out a must-see exhibition entirely devoted to Marie Antoinette. Bringing all the glitz and glam of the royal court to the beating heart of South Kensington, this exhibition offers visitors an in-depth look at the notorious French queen, her extravagant fashion choices, and her influence on pop culture.
Running until March 22, 2026, the V&A’s latest exhibition is Marie Antoinette: Style, a gorgeous collection of works that exuberate all things Antoinette. Expect sky-high wigs, picture-perfect pastel gowns, and enough jewels to make the Tower of London jealous!
Of course, we had to go along and have a look for ourselves. And we were simply blown away by the stunning exhibition.
Marie Antoinette: Style
Across the stunning V&A exhibition, you can feast your eyes upon 250 objects that include pieces on loan and never seen outside of Versailles and France. From gleaming jewellery to silk slippers to the final note the Queen wrote in her letter, there’s plenty to see, with many pieces there on a temporary basis from the Château de Versailles.
The exhibition also features contemporary clothing, showcasing designer pieces from Dior, Moschino, Chanel, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood, and Valentino. This is in addition to costumes created for Sofia Coppola’s film Marie Antoinette, including shoes by Manolo Blahnik. These pieces comprise part of the exhibition that showcases the Queen’s enduring legacy and influence on fashion, design, interiors, gardens, the arts, and more.
Sponsored by the aforementioned swish shoe brand Manolo Blahnik, the display delves into how her aesthetic has been reinterpreted throughout the two centuries since her death in 1793. It’s a suitably opulent feast for the eyes, with so many artefacts, interpretations, and works on display throughout.
Speaking on the exhibition, Sarah Grant, Curator of Marie Antoinette: Style said: “The most fashionable, scrutinised and controversial queen in history, 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 and application.
“This exhibition explores that style and the figure at its centre, using a range of exquisite objects belonging to Marie Antoinette, alongside the most beautiful fine and decorative objects that her legacy has inspired. This is the design legacy of an early modern celebrity and the story of a woman whose power to fascinate has never ebbed. Marie Antoinette’s story has been re-told and re-purposed by each successive generation to suit its own ends. The rare combination of glamour, spectacle and tragedy she presents remains as intoxicating today as it was in the eighteenth century.”
Even more exhibitions at the V&A
In case that’s not enough for your cultural calendar, the V&A has even more exciting exhibitions lined up for the year. Firstly, an exhibition on Cartier which is running until November, and explores the iconic jewellery house and showcases stunning pieces from royal collections.
There’s also the Design and Disability exhibition, which is running until February 2026. This must-visit showcase shines a light on the creative contributions of disabled designers and communities, proving that innovation and style know no limits.
The Marie Antoinette exhibition is one of the most anticipated art exhibits, not only offering a glimpse into her lavish life, but also a chance to explore how her style continues to inspire designers to this day. So, get ready to be swept off your feet because it’s time to “let them eat cake”, thanks to the crackin’ lineup of exhibitions at the V&A throughout 2025.
For more information on the museum and all its offerings, click here to visit their website. Tickets for Marie Antoinette: Style can be booked here.