Freddie Mercury’s stage costumes go on display at V&A in free 2026 exhibition

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London will mark what would have been Freddie Mercury’s 80th birthday with a free exhibition titled ‘Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things’, running from 24 October 2026 to 17 January 2027. The show brings together eight costumes and accessories drawn from the singer’s personal archive, seven of them lent by Mary Austin, Mercury’s former fiancée and long-time confidante.

The exhibition takes its name from a remark Mercury made in a 1978 interview: “I like to be surrounded by splendid things. I want to lead a Victorian life surrounded by exquisite clutter.” It traces his stylistic evolution from Queen’s early 1970s debut through to his final stage appearance.

Por que importa

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|——–|————-|
| Venue | Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Dates | 24 October 2026 – 17 January 2027 |
| Admission | Free (displayed across permanent galleries) |
| Lender | Mary Austin (seven of the eight looks) |

What the exhibition includes
The eight looks span Mercury’s career. Among them are the monochrome outfit he wore on the cover of Queen’s 1973 debut album; the ‘Mercury Wing’ black-and-white catsuit designed by Wendy de Smet, worn in the Bohemian Rhapsody music video; and the crown and cloak designed by Diana Moseley, worn for his last stage appearance with Queen at Knebworth in 1986. The eighth item comes from the V&A’s own collection.

Contexto

Austin, who lived with Mercury for six years and remained close until his death in 1991, described the clothing as central to his artistic identity. “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,” she said in a 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.”

Why this matters for design and culture readers
For an audience interested in design culture, the exhibition offers a rare look at how a musician used costume as a deliberate tool of performance and persona. Mercury’s wardrobe was not a secondary detail but a primary element of his stagecraft, developed in collaboration with designers such as Wendy de Smet and Diana Moseley. Each piece reflects a specific phase of his career, from the raw energy of the early 1970s to the theatrical spectacle of the 1986 Magic Tour.

The V&A’s decision to mount the show across its permanent galleries rather than in a ticketed hall, and to keep it free, aligns with its broader mission to make design history accessible. It also places Mercury’s costumes in dialogue with the museum’s permanent collections of fashion, textiles and decorative arts, reinforcing the argument that rock-and-roll stagewear belongs in the same conversation as haute couture and theatre design.

Practical details for visitors
The exhibition will be on display across the V&A’s permanent galleries. No separate ticket is required. The museum is located in South Kensington, London, and opens daily. Full information is available at vam.ac.uk.

Source: Wallpaper — The V&A will celebrate Freddie Mercury in a free, fashion-filled exhibition (https://www.wallpaper.com/art/exhibitions-shows/freddie-mercury-exhibitionv-and-a-london-uk)

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