Marie Antoinette Style ★★★★★ Victoria & Albert Museum | Sep 20, 2025 - Mar 22, 2026


When the daughter of Maria Theresa, Empress of the Hapsburg Empire, became engaged to the heir to the French throne, her mother wrote to young Marie Antoinette, “All eyes will be on you.” The words proved prophetic, for she would become France’s most famous queen, and her life story has since entered the realm of legend. Her reputation for extravagance and her tragic end remain enduring cultural touchstones. This exhibition, which highlights her distinctive style and traces her fashion legacy to the present day, also recounts the drama of her opulent life and unforgettable death. Historical events and sartorial elegance are seamlessly intertwined. The beautifully curated display not only conveys the richness of 18th-century design, from dresses and jewellery to fans, china and even fragrance, but also presents the slanders that circulated about the queen and contributed to her downfall. A representative model of the guillotine by which she was executed is also included. The narrative, however, concludes on a celebratory note, highlighting her enduring influence on fashion from the 19th and 20th centuries to contemporary design. Marie Antoinette’s style was embraced by Empress Eugénie, who restored her retreat Le Petit Trianon, and then continued through the refined elegance of Erté to the playful innovations of Vivienne Westwood. Visitors are also introduced to the over thirty films inspired by her life, each featuring wonderfully lavish costumes. Marie Antoinette remains a muse across the arts, and this exhibition stands as an extraordinary tribute to her lasting impact on fashion, culture and imagination.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Image: Wedding gown of Duchess Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotta (later Queen of Sweden). Photo courtesy of Göran Schmidt Livrustkammaren, SHM

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, UK

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