London’s Most Inspiring Fashion & Design Exhibitions
At Scarlet Destiny, we believe in carving out time to slow down and connect – to art, to beauty, and to the stories that live inside creative expression. We’ve always said that fashion is more than clothes; it’s a form of storytelling. Whether it's stitched into a centuries-old gown or bursting from a gallery wall in bright, untamed colour, fashion is a living, breathing medium of culture, emotion, and transformation.
That’s why we’re drawn to exhibitions – because they invite us to pause, reflect, and immerse ourselves in the worlds imagined by the creatives who shape the way we see ourselves. They remind us that fashion is deeply human. It’s ritual, identity, history, and rebellion, all sewn into a single hem. This summer, London is hosting a series of exhibitions that celebrate fashion, design, and the act of making with both reverence and boldness. Each one offers a unique portal into the imagination of great visionaries – from Marie Antoinette’s enduring influence to Leigh Bowery’s anarchic flair.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s on, and why these exhibitions matter for anyone who wants to live and dress more consciously.
Cartier at the V&A (Until 16 November 2025)
They call Cartier the "Jeweller of Kings and the King of Jewellers" and this summer, South Kensington’s V&A Museum is dripping in diamonds. Featuring over 350 dazzling objects, this exhibition isn’t just about opulence, it’s about craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless design. You’ll walk among royal tiaras, iconic watches, and historic gemstones, tracing Cartier’s rise from Parisian atelier to global icon of elegance.
Why it matters: In a fast-fashion era, Cartier reminds us of the value of longevity, artistry, and intentional design. True luxury lies not in excess, but in enduring craftsmanship—a belief we hold dear at Scarlet Destiny.
Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at the Wallace Collection (Until 26 October 2025)
This major solo show from Sir Grayson Perry, known for his sharp wit and colourful ceramics, is both playful and provocative. With over 40 new works, spanning tapestries, prints and digital experiments, the exhibition explores the nature of making, collecting, and perfectionism. Perry contrasts painstaking handmade pieces with digital works created at the click of a button.
Why it matters: Perry challenges us to think deeply about authenticity in art and fashion. In a world flooded with fast production, this is a timely reflection on what we value as "real." Perry’s embrace of outsider art aligns beautifully with Scarlet Destiny’s celebration of unconventional beauty and overlooked craft.
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style at the Design Museum (Until 17 August 2025)
This exhibition dives into the history of swimwear, swimming culture and aquatic design, exploring everything from architecture to body politics. It’s fun, nostalgic, and quietly radical, with over 200 objects on display including Pamela Anderson’s iconic Baywatch swimsuit and early Olympic gear.
Why it matters: The show reveals how water and design intersect to shape our bodies and our freedom. Fashion here isn’t just about style—it’s about liberation, agency, and pushing boundaries. This aligns perfectly with Scarlet Destiny’s mission to reclaim autonomy through the way we dress.It also hits close to home—our founder has been designing swimwear since 1996, starting in New York before creating pieces for Liberty London, the iconic grande dame of department stores. Swimwear has always been one of her great loves. With her label Sea Sirens, she explored a bold, holistic approach—merging colour psychology, crystal healing, and cosmeceutical textiles to create pieces that nourished both body and spirit. It was never just about looking good—it was about feeling powerful, protected, and seen. Those same values flow through Scarlet Destiny today.
Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern (Until 31 August 2025)
Leigh Bowery defied convention and redefined performance, fashion, and identity. This immersive exhibition showcases his outrageous, experimental “Looks” alongside collaborations with legendary artists like Lucian Freud and Nick Knight. Expect club culture, sculptural makeup, and unapologetic self-expression.
Why it matters: Bowery was a master of transformation and queering fashion as a form of resistance. I was on the club scene—and at St Martins—when Bowery was around, and his impact was electric. He made it impossible to separate fashion from art, from provocation, from purpose. At Scarlet Destiny, we carry that torch. We believe in fashion’s power to disrupt, to shock, to liberate—and Bowery’s legacy is a radiant blueprint for that kind of fearless self-invention.
Dress Codes at Kensington Palace (Until 20 November 2025)
Step into the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and explore the clothing of monarchs, icons, and rebels—Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Diana, and even Vivienne Westwood all feature. This exhibition is a powerful exploration of tradition, rebellion, and symbolism in royal fashion.
Why it matters: Fashion here is used to command, challenge, and communicate power. It speaks to our belief that what we wear carries cultural weight—and that rewriting the rules can start with a single outfit. At Scarlet Destiny, we honour that legacy of rebellious elegance. Our pieces nod to regal silhouettes but reimagine them for a new kind of royalty—those who lead with purpose, who disrupt with grace, and who wear their values as boldly as their accessories.
Marie Antoinette Style at the V&A (20 September 2025 – 22 March 2026)
A first-of-its-kind exhibition in the UK, this show unpacks the Queen of France’s ongoing influence on fashion and interiors. From rococo gowns to modern reinterpretations, it tracks how one woman’s image shaped centuries of design.
Why it matters: Marie Antoinette was both adored and vilified for her style. She was a symbol of excess and resistance, indulgence and independence. The exhibition offers fertile ground for exploring the gendered politics of fashion, something Scarlet Destiny seeks to challenge and reclaim—designing for autonomy, not approval, and revelling in the power of aesthetic defiance.
Tilda Swinton – Ongoing at Eye Filmmuseum (28 Sept 2025 – 8 Feb 2026)
Though technically across the channel, this upcoming exhibition is too special not to mention. Swinton is curating six new projects with collaborators like Jim Jarmusch and Luca Guadagnino, promising an intimate look at the intersection of cinema, performance, and personal style.
Why it matters: Tilda Swinton is a fashion icon not just for what she wears, but for how she inhabits her clothes. Her work reflects Scarlet Destiny’s devotion to individuality, artistry, and vulnerability as forms of power.
Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of Cartier, the subversion of Bowery, or the nostalgia of swimwear past, each exhibition offers something more than just visual inspiration. They challenge us to look deeper—to ask why we create, collect, and express through fashion.
At Scarlet Destiny, we believe visiting exhibitions isn’t just a weekend plan—it’s a ritual of creative living. A reminder that every garment, like every story, holds the potential to shift how we see ourselves. So get out there, soak it in, and let these exhibitions help you dress with more intention, more joy, and more curiosity.
Sources: flolondon.co.uk, designmuseum.org, wallacecollection.org, tatler.com