V and A Museum (Part 2)

The court yard of V and A

A spiral staircase within V and A

Posters during the Art Nouveau period

Vintage chocolate ads featuring children

A delicious chocolate bag by Moshino

Princess Diana's "Elvis" dress is on display at V and A

The Whiteley Galleries in V and A featuring sacred silver & stained glass

The Jameel Gallery featuring art from the Islamic Middle East (below)
Tile top table, Turkey, Iznik and Istanbul, around 1560

Decorative tiles with repeated patterns from Turkey 1580

Tile pattern with picnic scene, Iran 1600 -1700

V and A, named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was founded in 1852, and its massive collection include more than 5,000 years of art and design from all over the world. It spreads over a few floors and is categorised by five major themes : Asia, Europe, materials and techniques, modern and exhibitions. There are no restriction on photography which is good but lighting was often too dim to take a good photo with my simple camera without a flash. Exhibits ranged from works of art from ancient cities such as Turkey and China to those of pop culture such as the famous "Elvis" pearl dress worn by Princess Diana in her 1989 trip to Hong Kong. I love the displays that showed the evolution of fashion, from the 19th century era of crinolines, corsets and big skirts to the golden age of couture (1947-1957) dominated by Christian Dior and Givenchy. And of course, the rise of Japanese designers in the 80s such as Kenzo, Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto whose futuristic designs defied convention to today's designs by Vivien Westwood, Alexander McQueen and more. And on the whimsical front, there was even a funny little chocolate exhibition featuring a chocolatey, bagalicious creation by Moshino to cute and vintage chocolate ads featuring children. There is so much more to see at V and A including jewellery through the ages, miniature portraits, sculptures, tapestries, textiles, photography and more. I couldn't finish all within a day so perhaps the next time when I'm in London again.