V&A museum invites viewers on curator video tour of Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition

The V&A museum is giving viewers a second chance to see its acclaimed exhibition all about the history of kimonos.

Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk opened at the end of February but had to close just two weeks later due to the lockdown.

The museum has now released a series of five videos taking viewers on a 30-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibition, led by curator Anna Jackson.

This is the first major exhibition devoted to the garment in Europe, and traces its history over hundreds of years, featuring rare pieces from 17th and 18th century Japan as well as robes worn by Freddie Mercury, Bjork, David Bowie and Madonna and designed by Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier John Galliano. Almost 300 items are on display.

In a four star review of the exhibition, the Standard’s Karen Dacre said: “Kimono: Kyoto To Catwalk is a forensic and all-encompassing study which not only offers a deep dig into the history of one of the world’s most treasured and significant clothing traditions but also unearths the ways in which the kimono has infiltrated the fashion world, reflected culture and criss-crossed the globe.”

You can watch the first episode below and find all five here:

The films were created just before the museum shut to visitors.

Jackson said: "Having closed the exhibition early, I am so pleased that we can share the kimono experience with viewers around the world. Many of you will be at home in lockdown, so I hope you will enjoy the opportunity to escape on a journey that will take us from the sophisticated culture of 17th century Japan to the creativity of the contemporary catwalk. We look forward to welcoming you to the V&A again soon, so you can encounter these sumptuous garments and exciting displays for yourself."