Ah, the 90s. It’s a decade clouded in a haze of nostalgia, accompanied by blurry photos and half-remembered events. And thanks to the cyclical nature of fashion and culture, discussions have turned back to the fashion and cultural touchstones that defined the time. Now one of London’s leading museums is getting in on the discussion with an exhibition that’s set to transport us back in time to the much-discussed era.
The new exhibition, entitled simply ‘The 90s’, will open at Tate Britain later this year, on October 8. Curated by Edward Enninful OBE, who has shaped much of contemporary fashion for the past three decades, the exhibition will attempt to condense the intangible feeling that the 90s provokes. Just what was it that sparked such a wave of creativity and collaboration that had such an impact on British culture? Find out later this year…
Image: @edward_enninful, via IG
What to see at ‘The 90s’ exhibition
While details are thin on the ground for now, as far as specific pieces we can expect to see, it’s clear that the exhibition will be a wide-ranging portrait of the decade. With every aspect of culture rubbing off on each other, such as the huge interplay between music and fashion in the 90s, a snapshot of the time period has to spread itself pretty far. And Edward Enninful OBE is leaving virtually no stone unturned.
The 90s was truly a decade like no other. There was a sense of “boundless opportunity” in the wake of the end of the Cold War, especially as “Britain began to emerge from recession”. Possibility was around every corner, and the British spirit was raring to be let free. Enninful was right in the heart of it, as an 18-year-old storming into the world of fashion and journalism.
Visitors can expect to see a wealth of photography from the likes of:
- Juergen Teller
- Nick Knight
- David Sims
- Corinne Day
Image: @edward_enninful, via IG
As well as photography, there will also be pieces on display from some of the most popular artists of the time, such as:
- Damien Hirst
- Gillian Wearing
- Yinka Shonibare
And given how fashion-obsessed we all were during the 90s, the exhibition will also showcase collections from the decade’s definitive designers. Among them, there will be pieces from the likes of:
- Vivienne Westwood
- Alexander McQueen
- Hussein Chalayan
‘The 90s’ will run at Tate Britain from October 8, 2026 – February 24, 2027. Find out more here.