V&A Opens Major Marie Antoinette Style Exhibition Featuring 250 Artifacts

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has opened "Marie Antoinette Style," the UK's first exhibition dedicated to the French queen, showcasing around 250 objects including her jewelry, footwear, gowns, and personal items such as a final note before her execution. The exhibition portrays Marie Antoinette as a complex figure beyond her reputation as a frivolous spender, emphasizing her lasting influence on fashion and culture from her lifetime through modern interpretations in film and design. Highlights include a guillotine blade from the French Revolution, her prison chemise, and opulent dresses displayed upright, revealing her intimate style and court life. Curated by historian Dr. Sarah Grant, the show explores the queen's legacy as a fashion icon and cultural symbol, presenting her as both glamorous and controversial. The exhibition also includes modern fashion inspired by her, such as costumes from Sofia Coppola's 2006 film starring Kirsten Dunst, illustrating Marie Antoinette's enduring impact. Supported by figures like Manolo Blahnik, the exhibition runs from September 2025 until March 2026 and aims to evoke empathy without hagiography.