Victoria and Albert Museum

Celebrating the life and genius of Brian Wilson, the visionary behind The Beach Boys and one of the most influential figures in modern music.

Wilson pushed the boundaries of pop with lush harmonies, layered arrangements and emotional vulnerability. Tracks like ‘God Only Knows’ and ‘Good Vibrations’ changed the course of music history, inspiring artists from The Beatles to today's stars.

This screenprint from the V&A collection captures the joy and cultural impact of The Beach Boys. Pop-art icon Peter Blake’s 1964 screenprint was created for the Institute of Contemporary Arts portfolio and marked his first published silkscreen work. Some areas are intentionally left unfinished to show the production process. Blake also designed the album cover for Wilson’s 2008 solo album ‘That Lucky Old Sun’.

This print can be requested to view from the Prints & Drawings Study Room at V&A South Kensington.

'Beach Boys' screenprint by Peter Blake, 1964.

Image description:
A screenprint depicting the band standing behind a car in a flat, pastel colour palette. Half of the car is a line drawing. Block lettering reading THE BEACH BOYS is underneath on a pink, red, yellow green and blue patterned background.

Custom Dior Haute Couture.👗🌸

This strapless Christian Dior dress, worn by Laurie Newton Sharp, News Editor for Harrods, was part of Dior's ground-breaking debut collection. The collection launched in 1947 and was famously dubbed the "New Look" by the press.

The collection had a transformative impact on fashion worldwide. After years of wartime austerity marked by uniforms and fabric rationing, Dior offered more than a new style; he introduced a fresh perspective on how women could dress and express themselves.

Newton Sharp wore this custom version of the dress in 1956 during a goodwill tour of America to promote Harrods' new store opening. Initially designed in plain white silk, she commissioned it in a floral print to reflect her discerning personal style.

Tap the link to see more of our Dior in Britain collection. https://brnw.ch/DiorinBritain

Christian Dior Monte Carlo evening dress, (1905–57), Haute couture, Spring/Summer 1956.

Image Description:
Strapless evening dress in rose-patterned cream silk taffeta with draped bust, fitted waist, flared skirt, and b***d cotton net underdress with petticoat.

Today, we were pleased to welcome HRH The Princess of Wales, Royal Patron of the V&A, to V&A East Storehouse.

Located in the heart of east London, her visit celebrated the opening of our ground-breaking new museum experience, designed to transform public access to the national collection.

The first of the two-part V&A East development, V&A East Storehouse in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park gives the public new ways to interact with art and culture that feel more open, personal, and easy to access.

Images © David Parry for the V&A

Image Description:
1. HRH The Princess of Wales wearing an blue navy suit walks the the central aisles of V&A East Storehouse with V&A Director Tristram Hunt.
2. HRH The Princess of Wales meets V&A East Storehouse staff members.
3. HRH The Princess of Wales inspects collection items with senior curator Oriole Cullen.
4. HRH The Princess of Wales and V&A Director Tristram Hunt inspect framed tapestries.
5. HRH The Princess of Wales and V&A Director Tristram Hunt in front of the 'Le Train Bleu' backdrop.
6. HRH The Princess of Wales (centre) and (left to right) Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer Tim Reeve, V&A Director Tristram Hunt, Chair of the Board of Trustees Baroness Minouche Shafik and Director of V&A East Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, OBE.

Once upon a design…

In the late 19th century, a quiet revolution began in Glasgow. Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) started crafting a world where every line had meaning. He was a groundbreaking Scottish architect and designer known for blending traditional Scottish styles with modern simplicity and Japanese influences.

One of the leaders of the "Glasgow Style," Mackintosh created works marked by geometric forms and refined craftsmanship - visible in the broader Art Nouveau movement, but with unique flair and identity. His creations still continue to inspire modern design today.

Tap the link to see more of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's work in our collection. https://brnw.ch/MackintoshCollection

1-3) Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, made by Prisoners of War on the Isle of Man (1916-1917)

Image Descriptions:

1) Dressing table, mahogany inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with aluminium mounts, on an ebonised base.

2) Towel rail of mahogany with ebonised feet and geometric squares.

3) Mahogany wardrobe with mirror, partly ebonised, with mother-of-pearl inlay and aluminium.

NOW OPEN – Design and Disability at V&A South Kensington.

Both a celebration and a call to action, Design and Disability showcases the radical contributions of Disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent people and communities to design history and contemporary culture, from the 1940s to now.

Design and Disability runs from 07 June 2025 – 15 February 2026 at The Porter Gallery, V&A South Kensington.

Accessibility guide - https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/design-and-disability-access-guide
Ticket link - https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/design-and-disability

Artwork featuring 'Rebirth' Garments, photo by Colectivo Multipolar

Talon-ted craftsmanship 🦅

This quirky falcon-shaped drinking vessel, crafted from carved coconut and silver, captures the wonder of 16th-17th century German craftsmanship. Its hinged wings flap playfully as it’s lifted to drink, adding a touch of delight. A bloodstone amulet engraved with a scorpion, a symbol believed to protect against poisoning, reflects the era’s blend of artistry and superstition.

Part of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert ‘Schatzkammer’ ('treasury') this piece embodies the Renaissance fascination with rare materials and intricate craftsmanship. Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert were devoted collectors who brought together a remarkable collection of objects inspired by the princely collections of early modern Europe.

Tap the link to see more of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert collection. https://brnw.ch/21wTbNU

Cup, made by Samuel Kassborer and Hans Kässborer, apx 1600, Germany

Image Description:

Falcon-shaped cup with carved coconut body, silver-gilt details, carnelian eyes, and a Roman intaglio of a scorpion set in a silver strap.

Congratulations to V&A trustee Jonathan Anderson on his new role at Dior.

A true creative force, Jonathan brings bold vision and innovation to everything he touches - from the runway to the museum.

One of the standout pieces in our collection is the patchwork cardigan from JW Anderson’s Menswear Spring/Summer 2020 collection. Famously worn by Harry Styles during rehearsals for a Today Show appearance in February 2020, the cardigan became a global sensation during the early days of COVID-19. When LA-based artist Liv Huffman recreated it in crochet and it went viral on TikTok, JW Anderson responded by sharing a free pattern and tutorial so fans could make their own.

We’re incredibly proud to see one of fashion’s most original voices take on such an iconic house - and can’t wait to see what comes next.

To learn more about this object in the V&A Collection visit https://brnw.ch/21wT6fz

Photograph © David Sims
Knitted patchwork cardigan by JW Anderson, 2020

Image description:
A black and white photograph of Jonathan Anderson with short hair and a long sleeve black top
A bright knitted patchwork cardigan with red, orange, green, black and yellow panels on a mannequin against a grey backdrop.

The Art of the Fanfare 🎭✨

This exquisitely painted folding fan captures the joyful spirit of the Venetian Carnival with a vibrant scene representing ‘The Triumph of Harlequin’.

It features costumed figures Harlequin and Columbine from a ‘Commedia dell’Arte’ parade, a form of improvisational Italian theatre popular between the 16th and 18th century. Harlequin was often portrayed as a clever, acrobatic servant and Columbine his love interest. Here they are presented in celebration within a chariot.

Such fans were prized souvenirs for 18th-century visitors to Venice. The fan blends theatrical flair with fine artistry, reflecting the enduring appeal of these beloved characters and the fascination they inspired across Europe.

‘The Triumph of Harlequin’ is on display at Wolfson Gallery at V&A South Kensington.

Design painted by Maria Felicita Subleyras, Italy, ca.1750

Image Description:
Folding fan with painted kid leather, gilded mother-of-pearl sticks, showing Harlequin’s triumph on one side and a coastal scene with boats on the other.

Where nature meets design 🌿

Charles Voysey was a leading figure in the Arts & Crafts Movement. He is known for his elegantly simple, rhythmically repeating surface designs. Though trained as an architect, he found lasting fame through his decorative patterns used in wallpapers, textiles, carpets, and ceramics.

Drawing deeply from nature, Voysey crafted stylised birds, hearts, trees, and flowers into bold, flowing designs. With flat forms, muted tones, and graceful repetition, his work reflects keen observation and deep reverence for the natural world.

Voysey’s patterns bridged Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau, even hinting at modernism. His legacy reminds us how design can beautifully connect daily life with nature and meaning.

C.F.A. Voysey was born on this day in 1857.

See more examples of Charles Voysey's work in our Collection - https://brnw.ch/collections.vam.ac.uk

Designs by C.F.A. Voysey 1)Gradine ca. 1900 2)The Heron ca. 1919

Image description:
1)A square design for fabric or wallpaper showing a stylised heron in a natural scene with grass, trees, and water. The shapes are simple and repeat in a calm, balanced pattern.
2)A piece of silk fabric printed in soft green, blue, and cream colours. It has a repeating pattern that feels smooth and light, giving a sense of gentle movement.

Take a look inside V&A East Storehouse.

The doors will open this weekend to your access-all-areas experience of the V&A collection, based in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London.

Browse over 250,000 objects from the everyday to the iconic, and follow your own path through the worlds of art, design, performance, fashion - and more.

Come and join us from Saturday 31 May to find inspiration and follow your curiosity – your way. Make it yours.

"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — Winnie the Pooh. 🐻

E. H. Shepard is the brilliant artist who brought Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood to life. Surprisingly, he wasn't a big fan of Pooh at first! Shepard was hesitant to illustrate the stories until he visited Ashdown Forest, the real-life inspiration for Pooh's magical home, and suddenly, everything clicked.

Pooh's lovable, soft look is inspired by Shepard's son's teddy bear, making the character feel even more warm and genuine. Shepard's work reminds us that sometimes it takes time to fall in love with a project, but when you do, it can create timeless magic.

Image Description:
1) Colour pencil and ball-point pen sketch of a woodland scene with characters from Winnie-the-Pooh, including Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Eeyore and Tigger.
2) Black and white line block print of characters of Winnie-the-Pooh, dining at a table under a tree.
3) Black and white line block print of characters of Winnie-the-Pooh spying on the character Kanga in a woodland field.