To absolutely no-one’s surprise, Taylor-mania is still alive-and-kicking in the capital city. And despite her London stints of the Eras Tour being long gone, our diaries are continuing to fill to the brim with Swift-based activities – and for just one more week, you can add this to your itineraries…
A temporary exhibition featuring a number of objects on loan from Taylor Swift’s personal archive are on display at the V&A this summer. Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail is open now, giving visitors the chance to see costumes, accessories, music awards, storyboards, and many previously unseen items – all without paying a penny. The bad news? It closes this weekend (September 8).
Inside the exhibition
The exhibition trail is spread across 13 stops, each of which are theatrically-staged and accompanied with the perfect soundtrack. Would we expect anything less?
Each stop along the trail exhibits a chapter (some may even call it an era…) of Swift’s monumental music career, which started when she moved to Nashville at the age of 14. The installations have been designed by Tom Piper (best known for his stage designs for the Royal Shakespeare Company and his previous V&A exhibition ‘Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser’).
Visitors can expect to feast their eyes on a series of items that will explore the childhood and musical legacy of Taylor Swift – as well as 16 looks that have been worn by the pop icon. From the customised cowboy boots that she donned on stage in 2007 to the black ruffled dress she wore in this year’s ‘Fortnight’ music video; Swifties can get up-close-and-personal with many items that will be on display for the very first time.
Kate Bailey, the museum’s senior curator, theatre and performance, said: “We are delighted to be able to display a range of iconic looks worn by Taylor Swift at the V&A this summer – each celebrating a chapter in the artist’s musical journey. Taylor Swift’s songs – like objects – tell stories, often drawing from art, history and literature. We hope this theatrical trail across the museum will inspire curious visitors to discover more about the performer, her creativity and V&A objects.”
There’s also a decent selection of Eras Tour merch inside the V&A’s museum shop, which makes it the perfect hack if you didn’t manage to snap some up at the Wembley shows.
Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail will run at the V&A until September 8. Find out more and plan your visit here.
Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL