In a free exhibition at V&A, discover the late Freddie Mercury’s most iconic looks and the man behind his celebrated persona
If we could have it our way, the world would be in a much better place and Freddie Mercury would be turning 80 in just a few weeks. While we can stay hopeful about the former, we can only reminisce Mercury’s legacy—this time with a free exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum South Kensington, created together with Mary Austin, the singer’s former fiancée and friend of 20 years.
Running from 24 October 2026 to 17 January 2027, Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things will shine the spotlight on the colourful, boundary-pushing clothes he was known for. Across six “stops” at the museum’s permanent galleries, there will be eight famous looks on display, from the monochrome outfit he wore for the cover of Queen’s debut album in 1973 to the Diana Moseley-designed crown and cloak he wore for his last stage appearance at Knebworth Park in England. Accessories and items from Mercury’s personal wardrobe will offer a glimpse of the man behind the Mercury persona.
Designed by Tom Piper, an award-winning designer known for his stage designs in theatre and opera, each installation will be theatrically staged, bringing moments in Mercury’s musical career to life. There will also be a public programme of events related to the display, such as Staging Freddie, an hour-long talk by Wendy de Smet and Diana Moseley, textile designers who will reveal the stories behind the creation of Mercury’s most iconic looks.
“As we celebrate Freddie’s legacy in what would have been his 80th year, the clothes and costumes to be displayed at the V&A tell a hugely important part of his story both on and off the stage,” said Austin in a press statement. “Never mere accoutrements, his costumes and clothes were essential to his performances, creative vision and wider self-expression, carefully designed to create a lasting visual and emotional impact that has reached across the generations and still reverberates today.”
Featured photo by Simon Fowler © Mercury Songs Ltd
