7 Exhibitions To Book In London

The Fashion & Textile Museum is celebrating Cosprop, the legendary costumier behind some of film and TV’s most iconic looks. From Downton Abbey to The Crown, its creations have defined on-screen period style for more than 60 years. This exhibition brings together exquisite gowns, tailored suits and accessories that reveal the craft and artistry of costume design – as well as behind-the-scenes insight into how history is recreated for the screen.

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Celebrating his 70th birthday, Kerry James Marshall brings a landmark survey to the Royal Academy – his largest European exhibition to date. With over 70 works, The Histories reframes Western art traditions through a Black lens, portraying everything from Civil Rights struggles to everyday life in barbershops and parks. Known for monumental, vibrant canvases, Marshall asks urgent questions about representation: who gets remembered, and who is erased? Tickets start from £23.50.

Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 0BD; 20th September 2025-18th January 2026

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The Science Museum’s revamped space gallery has relaunched with a stellar new look. Highlights include the Apollo 10 Command Module, Neil Armstrong’s radio headset and cutting-edge prototypes for future missions to Mars. The updated displays trace the first space race through to today’s private ventures, with a special focus on the UK’s role in satellite and propulsion design. With free entry, it’s an inspiring trip for anyone fascinated by what lies beyond our atmosphere.

Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD; from 20th September

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The V&A’s blockbuster Marie Antoinette Style exhibition charts the life – and lasting influence – of France’s most notorious queen of fashion. Alongside original pieces from the Château de Versailles, there’ll be more than 250 objects, from Dior gowns and Vivienne Westwood corsets to film costumes from Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning Marie Antoinette. The show reveals how the 18th-century icon’s taste for extravagance shaped centuries of design, fashion and pop culture, and how her look continues to inspire designers today.

Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 2RL;  20th September 2025-22nd March 2026

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Blurring the boundaries between gaming, theatre and art, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley’s The Delusion is an immersive multiplayer experience like no other. Set within Serpentine North, the work uses satire and world-building to explore polarisation, censorship and community, all rooted in Black Trans and Queer experiences. Audiences step inside the narrative as active players – meaning no two visits are the same.

West Carriage Drive, Hyde Park, W2 2AR; 30th September 2025-18th January 2026

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Each autumn, Frieze Sculpture transforms Regent’s Park into an open-air gallery, and this year the theme is 'In the Shadows'. Curated by Fatoş Üstek, the display brings together works by 14 international artists, from Andy Holden to Reena Saini Kallat. Expect large-scale installations that play with light, form and meaning – all completely free to view. As part of London Sculpture Week, the programme links with Sculpture in the City, The Line and Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth to create a city-wide celebration of public art.

Regent's Park, London;  17th September-2nd November 2025

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Fashion is often synonymous with polish and perfection – but what happens when designers embrace imperfection? The Barbican’s Dirty Looks examines the rise of distressed luxury: think scuffed trainers, shredded gowns and stained denim. With work from more than 60 designers, including Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Maison Margiela, the show explores how fashion has used dirt, wear and ruin as a form of beauty and rebellion. Expect everything from Vivienne Westwood’s punk-inspired pieces to new commissions by Hussein Chalayan and Bubu Ogisi.

Silk Street, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS; 25th September 2025-25th January 2026

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