LONDON — Rather than learning a new skill or budgeting a bit better, one of the V&A Dundee’s New Year’s resolutions is to get runway ready. In 2026, the museum’s Scottish brand will introduce two new exhibitions: “Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show” in April and “Design and Disability” in June.
Exploring the evolution of runway shows, “Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show” will bring together catwalk pieces from labels including Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, Maison Margiela, Prada, Paco Rabanne, Louis Vuitton and Yohji Yamamoto. It will run from April 3, 2026, to Jan. 17, 2027.
Paul Poiret’s mannequin parade in his garden.
Courtesy of V&A Dundee / Jean Sebastien Baschet L’Illustration
“Fashion shows are more than just moments on a runway — they’re defining moments in culture that reflect the spirit of their time, bringing together a multitude of different design disciplines including hair and makeup, set design, lighting, photography and many more,” said Kirsty Hassard, co-curator of the exhibit.
“This U.K.-first exhibition is a celebration of over 100 years of catwalk history, exploring the underlying dreams and motivations behind the catwalk concepts, revealing how they’ve shaped not only what we wear, but how we see ourselves,” she added.
“Design and Disability” highlights works by disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people.
Courtesy of V&A Dundee / Scallywag Fox
A few months later, on June 4, 2026, the museum will open “Design and Disability,” a show that centers around the designs and culture of disabled people. The exhibit will display more than 170 objects made by disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people from 1940s and onward.
“This exhibition shows how disabled people are the experts in their own lives, and have made invaluable contributions to our designed world,” said Natalie Kane, the exhibition’s curator.
“’Design and Disability’ aims to honor disabled life as it engages with creative practice, presenting a strong culture of making that has always been central to disabled identity. In putting this show together it is an act of joy and resistance,” she continued.