To absolutely no-one’s surprise, Taylor-mania is still alive-and-kicking in the capital city. Our diaries are continuing to fill to the brim with Swift-based activities, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon. She’s just completed her first sold-out stint in London, and will be returning to Wembley in August – but in the meantime, here’s the perfect way to fill that Taylor Swift-shaped hole in your life. Look what we made her do…
A temporary exhibition featuring a number of objects on loan from Taylor Swift’s personal archive will go on display at the V&A this summer. Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail opens on July 27, and will give visitors the chance to see costumes, accessories, music awards, storyboards, and many previously unseen items – all without paying a penny.
Inside the exhibition
The exhibition trail will be spread across 13 stopseach of which will be theatrically-staged and accompanied with the perfect soundtrack. Would we expect anything less?
Each stop along the trail will exhibit a chapter (some may even call it an era…) of Swift’s monumental music careerwhich 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 Baileythe 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.”
