Taylor Swift exhibition opens at London’s V&A Museum

Taylor Swift is currently taking the UK by storm as she embarks on the European leg of her The Eras Tour. The successful singer played three nights at Wembley Stadium in June, with a host of celebrities in attendance including Paul McCartney, Hugh Grant and Prince William. Following the UK dates in August, Swift will return to Wembley for a further five nights with support from Paramore.

With Swift’s sold-out shows in the UK having a major impact on the country – a University of Birmingham study estimates the “Karma” singer will boost the British economy by almost a billion pounds ($1.267 billion) – it’s clear that the 14-time Grammy winner will be celebrated in a big way.

A new Taylor Swift exhibition will open at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum on July 27. The exhibition, titled Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail, is free to visitors and includes 13 stations that showcase key moments in Swift’s life and career.

The trail will celebrate the artistry behind the singer’s lyrics, music videos and costumes – with items on loan from Swift’s personal collection. Costumes in the exhibit include a pair of custom cowboy boots she wore during her big break with her debut album. Taylor Swiftand the iconic black ruffled shoulder dress worn throughout the music video for “Fortnight,” the first single from Swift’s April 2024 release, The “Tortured Poets” section.

Swift’s costumes and accessories will be displayed alongside music awards, instruments, storyboards and never-before-seen archival footage illuminating the 39-time Billboard Music Award winner’s childhood and rise to fame.

“We are delighted to present a series of iconic Taylor Swift looks at the V&A this summer, each celebrating a chapter of the artist’s musical journey,” said Kate Bailey, senior curator of theatre and performance, in a press release. “Taylor Swift’s songs, like objects, tell stories, often drawing on art, history and literature. We hope this theatrical tour of the museum will inspire curious visitors to learn more about the artist, her creativity and the V&A’s objects.”

The exhibition offers fans the opportunity to delve deeper into Swift’s world in a unique environment. The exhibition was designed by British theatre designer Tom Piper, who is best known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Each of the 13 stations is theatrically staged to immerse Swifties in the respective era through clever sets, sound and video.

In February 2024, the V&A hired five Taylor Swift “Superfan Advisors” who would be knowledgeable about all things Swift, from “Teardrops On My Guitar” to “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” The successful applicants would meet with V&A curators to share their knowledge of Swift, including fan culture and memorabilia, and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming exhibition. While it’s unclear if it was a paid position, the advert states that successful applicants would receive travel expenses and a V&A membership.

Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail opens on July 27th and is open to visitors until September 8th. Entry is free and no booking is necessary.