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Kylie at the V&A
Kylie at the V&A |
By Alexandra Suhner
London Editor
[London], February 10, 2007 - Kylie Minogue is almost an untainted pop star. No horrible drunken stories, no getting out of cars without underwear, and no hideous sex videos, so it is natural that there are few people with a strong disliking for her.
Her struggle with breast cancer also got a lot of public sympathy and love, and she dealt with the situation with a lot of grace, while at the same time creating a huge amount of much-needed awareness for the cause. Despite this, I don't think Kylie has an enormous obsessive following like some of her contemporaries.
Aside from young girls and the gay fans, Kylie Minogue seems to maintain a level of neutrality in the music industry, no one hates her, no one loves her, and she is generally OK.
I felt this way until I saw the Kylie exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London last week, and now, I love her.
The exhibition is based on her performance costumes, photographs, and album covers, and focuses on her changing image since 1988. |
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| Photo: 'Dancing Queen', Intimate and Live tour, Australia and London, 1998. Pink, silver and white sequin, bugle bead and fringe 'showgirl' corset.
Designed by Kylie Minogue and William Baker, UK.
Realised by Suzanna Burgess, UK. Pink ostrich feather and diamanté 'showgirl' tiara.
Designed and realised by Philip Rhodes, Australia.
Performing Arts Collection, The Arts Centre, Melbourne.
Gift of Kylie Minogue, 2004.
Kylie wore this costume to perform 'I Should Be So Lucky' and ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'. |
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| Photo: White cotton singlet with paper trim and girdle skirt with chiffon strips. Designed by John Galliano, UK, 1992. Performing Arts Collection, the Arts Centre, Melbourne, Gift of Kylie Minogue, 2004. Worn at the 'Rhythm of Life' Fashion Charity Gala, Grosvenor Hotel, London, June 1992. |
The first thing I found shocking was the fact that all the mannequins were Kylie-size, quite petite, and always in dancing or moving positions.
Secondly, the amount of costumes and outfits on display was amazing.
The list of designers she has worked with is impressive, names such as John Galliano, Dolce and Gabbana, Helmut Lang, Julien MacDonald, and Roland Mouret pop up frequently, to name but a few.
There is a room with all the Showgirl tour outfits, and this was a feast for the eyes, feathers, glitter, crystals and hot pants galore. However, it was the focus on the behind-the-scenes of her tours that really caught my attention, and gave the viewer a better insight into the world of Kylie Minogue.
Details on the number of hours, trucks, people, costumes, and fish net tights for her most recent World tour were fascinating, and the mock-up of Kylie's dressing room made me feel like I was really inside her world.
Her custom-made pink trunks to house her massive array of costumes and accessories were amazing, similar to the Louis Vuitton trunks with drawers, rails, and extensions. The dressing table, littered with cosmetics and bits of feathers and glitter, gave the viewer a real insider-look into the preparation time she spends before going on stage in front of thousands of people. Peeing into this private part of her life made me feel closer to her.
The exhibition is a must-see for any fashion-lovers visiting London in the next few months. It is a feast for the eyes, and an insight into the world of a pop diva. Plus, it is free, but bookings are recommended, as it is very popular.
Kylie - The Exhibition
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
For more information please visit:
www.vam.ac.uk/~/kylie
All photos are courtesy of
Victoria and Albert Museum
www.vam.ac.uk |
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