Forum Topic

Diva at the V&A

I can’t remember there ever being a thread before on exhibitions at our great museums in London, so I’m going to start one. We went to the Diva Exhibition at  the V&A this afternoon.  My expectation wasn’t that high as the main event at the V&A at the moment is the Coco Chanel Exhibition.  I thought Diva was fantastic.  If you love the cinema and stage, you will enjoy Diva.  
They have the actual clothes of Vesta Tilley, Mary Pickford, Josephine Baker, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe (dress from Some Like It Hot), and Elizabeth Taylor (costume from Cleopatra) to name but a few.  I spent a lot of time reading the info. so didn’t see everything.  my daughter said there were costumes of Billie Eilish, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé too.  I will be going back to see what I missed today. Cant recommend enough, really enjoyed it.

Martine Guy ● 536d15 Comments

Yes I plan to go back to the Diva. Thank you for the recommendation

Jane Carter ● 534d

Jane, thanks for your input.  I really enjoyed the Chanel exhibition and, as you say, interesting but the fashion exhibition at the V&A that really wowed me was Christian Dior.  Also JeanPaul Gaultier at the Barbican was wow too.  Diva was unexpectedly really good.

Martine Guy ● 534d

I am a member and went for the second time to the Chanel last Thursday. I thought it really interesting:one of the best exhibitions I have seen. We did have to wait in a members’ queue for about thirty minutes. However I did walk straight in to the Diva exhibition which wasn’t crowded.

Jane Carter ● 534d

Sorry, I should have made clear it’s your Membership card that will be scanned “and that’s it, you’re in”.

Martine Guy ● 534d

Just to say, there’s a list of Terms and Conditions for Members online.  Once you have paid for Membership, you can go to a ticketed exhibition as often as you like and when you like without having to pay again.  Your card will be scanned and that’s it, you’re in.   I hope you enjoy both as much as I did. 

Martine Guy ● 534d

Thankyou Martine,I'll look into it

Sarah Stevenson ● 535d

Thanks, Judy. I think it was the eccentricity of it that sparked our friend's curiosity.  I think the cream tea was a potential problem as he - as well as us - is vegan and we didn't think the museum would be able to cope with that! And it probably wouldn't have been good for his vegetarian wife to eat all four teas :-)Interesting that it seems to attract North Americans ...

Michael Ixer ● 536d

Sarah, should have said that there seems to be plenty of availability for Diva.

Martine Guy ● 536d

I looked up the Breadboard Museum and it’s only open during July and August, by appointment only.  Must try and remember to visit this summer. Another local museum I haven’t visited and would like to, is Dorich House Museum in Kingston Vale.  Only found out about it fairly recently.

Martine Guy ● 536d

I've been with a visiting Canadian. In a small room in a small house in Putney.A one woman exhibition, Lots of breadboards, knives etc. Lots of history.Somewhat eccentric.  When we went the ticket price included a cream tea with fresh baked scones. An experience!

Judy Allen ● 536d

Adam, have you been? Or has anyone been to see the breadboards? I think a visiting American friend was curious but I think it wasn't open at the time.

Michael Ixer ● 536d

Martine, Putney has a bread board museum!https://antiquebreadboards.com/

Adam Tripp ● 536d

Sarah, I renewed my membership when I heard about the Chanel exhibition and have been a couple of times so far.  My particular membership means I can take an adult guest too plus several children.  Yesterday, my husband and daughter came in on my membership.   If you pay for just yourself to be a member for 12 months it’s £77.  The Chanel entry ticket for non-members is £24 per visit and Diva is £20.  Membership really makes sense because you can walk in whenever you want, plus you get a discount in the shop.   I will be visiting both exhibitions again.  I didn’t see the upstairs space at Diva yesterday, and my husband tells me Kate Bush was on film, no costume unfortunately.  However there were costumes of Annie Lennox, Ella Fitzgerald, Lizzo, Debbie Harry, Bjork and Adele.  

Martine Guy ● 536d

That sounds interesting, I was at the V&A at the weekend although I didn't go to the Diva exhibition I assume they still have tickets available unlike for the Chanel exhibition that's sold out other than for members

Sarah Stevenson ● 536d

The Bette Davis dress is from All about Eve.  Amazing to see it.  Joan Crawford dress from Mildred Pierce.  Hollywood history! Also in the upstairs section, which I didn’t get to, were costumes  worn by Cher, Dolly Parton, Rihanna and the great Kate Bush.  

Martine Guy ● 536d