The Victoria and Albert Museum have today announced its newest fashion display, Songbook Trail, which celebrates Taylor Swift and her career-spanning tour costumes.
The free display titled ‘Songbook Trail’ will open at the museum later this month from 27 July to 8 September. This comes as the Grammy Award-winning singer embarks on the UK leg of her blockbuster Eras Tour. So far, she has taken the stage at sold-out arenas in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff, London and Dublin.
Songbook Trail will feature 16 looks worn by Taylor Swift, including personal never-before-seen items.
Each of the 13 stops on the trail will showcase a chapter in the songbook of Taylor’s career and spotlight a particular era of her music and prolific songwriting. Think Cowboy boots, sparkle-encrusted glitter dresses and much more.
The career-spanning costumes include customised cowboy boots worn during her breakout success as a country singer in 2007 to the recently worn ruffled shoulder dress from Fortnight (2024), the first single from her latest album The Tortured Poets Department.
The V&A said that the costumes will sit alongside instruments, music awards, storyboards and previously unseen archives which will explore her childhood and recording legacy.
Image still from Willow music video, 2020. Courtesy of TAS Rights Management, LLC
Kate Bailey, Senior Curator of Theatre & Performance at V&A, said: “We are delighted to be able to display a range of iconic looks worn by Taylor Swift at the V&A this summer, each celebrating a chapter in the artist’s musical journey. Taylor Swift’s songs, like objects, tell stories, often drawing from art, history and literature.
“We hope this theatrical trail across the museum will inspire curious visitors to discover more about the performer, her creativity and V&A objects.”
Cover image credit: PA Media
