The United Kingdom is set to host its inaugural exhibition centered on the life of Marie Antoinette, the renowned French queen, at the V&A South Kensington in London.
Titled “Marie Antoinette: Style,” the exhibition is scheduled to launch in September and will showcase 250 artifacts, including garments and decorative arts, with several items lent by the Chateau De Versailles in France.
According to the exhibition’s curator, Sarah Grant, the Austrian archduchess who became the final queen of France had a profound influence on European fashion and aesthetics during her lifetime.
“She was undeniably the most stylish, examined, and contentious monarch in history,” Grant noted.
Visitors can expect to see intricately adorned pieces of court attire, the queen’s personalized silk slippers, and jewelry from her own collection.
Additionally, the exhibition will include several extraordinary items that have previously remained in France, such as the queen’s dining service from the Petit Trianon, her accessories, and items from her vanity case.
“This exhibition delves into both the style and the persona at its core, featuring a selection of stunning objects that belonged to Marie Antoinette, alongside the most exquisite fine and decorative arts that her influence has inspired,” Ms. Grant explained.
“This is the design legacy of an early modern celebrity and a narrative of a woman whose ability to captivate has not diminished. The tale of Marie Antoinette has been retold and adapted by each generation to fulfill its own narrative.”
“The unique blend of glamour, spectacle, and tragedy she embodies continues to enthrall audiences today, just as it did in the 18th century.”
“Marie Antoinette: Style” will examine Antoinette’s beginnings and her influence on fashion from her era to contemporary times through audiovisual installations and an engaging curatorial approach.
A scent experience will transport visitors to the aromatic world of the court, as well as the fragrances that the queen favored.
The exhibition will also showcase modern fashion pieces from designers like Moschino, Dior, Chanel, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood, and Valentino, along with costumes from Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning film “Marie Antoinette,” starring Kirsten Dunst.
