Imagine a world where design knows no bounds, where architecture, fashion, graphics, product, and industrial design converge under one roof. That’s the Design Museum in London.
The Design Museum is the world’s leading museum dedicated to design, showcasing works that cover all aspects of design, including fashion, architecture, product and graphic design.
If you are lacking inspiration, don’t walk; run to this inspiring museum in the British capital. And trust us – it is a global haven for contemporary design enthusiasts like you.
And there’s even more good news: Istituto Marangoni London has partnered with the Design Museum to offer free access to its temporary exhibitions for students and staff starting October 2023. It’s an incredible opportunity you don’t want to miss! To get your free exhibition ticket, please check the Istituto Marangoni London LibGuides page from your OneLogIn.
The Colour Explosion room of ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen. Photograph by Andy Stagg. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Now that you have found your access code to a world of design and fashion dreams, you’re ready to start your journey. If it might now be difficult to choose where to go, don’t worry: we are here to guide you through the best exhibitions you can visit right now.
The Show room of ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen. Photograph by Andy Stagg. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Read on to find out why you should check out ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the Design Museum exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen and celebrating over 300 young designers, the NEWGEN alumni, and their sensational impact on the global fashion scene.
Mark Gonzales, Gemco Bank, frontside boneless, 1985. Photograph by Grant Brittain. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
If you’re into skateboarding, the Design Museum is also the place to be. They have just opened the UK’s first major ‘Skateboard’ exhibition, charting the evolution of skate design from the 1950s to the present day, from humble, home-made beginnings to the professional and technologically advanced models of today.
Your fav London fashion rebels are on display – with a few names you don’t know yet but should
The Art School room of ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen. Photograph by Andy Stagg. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Get the London look
What has London, the capital of subversive British style, offered to fashion designers for the past 30 years? A lot, as ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’ proves.
Björk at the 73rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday March 25, 2001, wearing the Swan dress by Marjan Pejoski. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
The exhibition, running at the Design Museum in London until February 11, 2024, showcases the work of 300 fearless, transformative, exuberant, rebellious and radical young designers who shaped and are still shaping the fashion landscape.
Marjan Pejoski's Swan dress worn by Björk on display at ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen. Photograph by Andy Stagg. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
The long way to the runway has been made easier with BFC’s NEWGEN programme
Discover unique fashion stories here, like Alexander Lee McQueen’s first collection Taxi Driver, which the designer lost soon after its debut in a nightclub in London in 1993.
The ‘Alexander McQueen: The Story of Taxi Driver’ room of ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen. Photograph by Andy Stagg. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
What do these great designers have in common? They all benefited from the British Fashion Council (BFC) and its NEWGEN programme. This established global initiative has been supporting fashion designers’ careers and activities for 30 years, aiming to promote a new generation of designers.
Harry Styles wearing SS Daley trousers in his 'Golden' video, 2021. Photo Harry Lambert. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
If you are wondering whether you could be the next designer to benefit from it, the answer is simple: why not?
The SS Daley ensemble from Steven Stokey Daley’s graduate collection, featuring the trousers worn by Harry Styles in his 'Golden' video, on display at ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen. Photograph by Andy Stagg. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Fashion highlights will blow your mind
Standout pieces include the swan dress designed by Marjan Pejoski, controversially worn by Björk at the 2001 Oscars, Steven Stokey Daley’s creations featured in Harry Styles’ ‘Golden’ video, and the inflatable latex look by Harikrishnan Pillai, who runs UK brand Harri, worn by Sam Smith at the BRIT Awards this year.
The Club Scene room of ‘Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion’, the exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen. Photograph by Andy Stagg. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Sam Smith at the 43rd BRIT Awards 2023. The 02 Arena, 11th February 2023. LANDMARK MEDIA/Alamy Stock Photo. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Also, get ready to discover collections by JW Anderson, Wales Bonner, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Russell Sage and many more.
Erdem, Autumn/Winter 2008. Photo Sølve Sundsbø/Art + Commerce. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Great if you are addicted to skateboarding, but not for fans only
Denis Shufeldt, Downhill speed run, La Costa, Carlsbad CA, 1976. © Warren Bolster. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Ready to skate with style?
Have you ever been to a comprehensive exhibition on the evolution of skateboard designs from the 1950s to the present day? The Design Museum has gone all out to present a story of design, performance, and the collaborative progress of communities – complete with an actual ramp!
Christian Hosoi, Christ, Air, 1985. Photograph by Grant Brittain. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
Hop on a skateboard
Yes, you read that right. The museum offers you the unique opportunity to skateboard on a ramp inside the exhibition and enjoy an authentic experience among rare boards displayed alongside iconic objects from the 1990s, such as VHS tapes, DVDs and magazines.
Zephyr Skateboard, 1973/75. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
All the memorabilia has been curated by Jonathan Olivares, American designer, skater and author of the new book Skateboard (2023). Very impressive indeed!
Lonnie Toft pro model Sims 1978. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
From California vibes to design
Get ready to experience West Coast vibes with exhibits from the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum in California, the world’s first skateboard museum, which has been open to the public since 1997.
Laura Thornhill, backside kick turn Torrance, 1977. Photograph by Jim Goodrich. Image Courtesy of The Design Museum
This design exhibit showcases some of the most iconic skateboards in history. It includes Tony Hawk’s first-ever professional skateboard, dated 1982. Known as ‘Birdman’, Hawk is the most famous professional skateboarder. The exhibition also features the 1970s Logan Earth Ski pro model for Laura Thornhill, the first female skater to have her own pro model after her remarkable performance at the South Bay contest at the age of thirteen in 1975; the 13-year-old Olympic Games 2020 medal winner Sky Brown’s first pro model and the Sky Brown x Skateistan Almost deck.
Silvia De Vecchi
University Librarian, London