V&A Dundee Tartan Exhibition
V&A Dundee Tartan Exhibition – The V&A Tartan Exhibition has landed, running from 1 April 2023 – 14 January 2024. I attended the press preview so here’s what to expect!
Tartan – V&A Dundee Tartan Exhibition
Tartan is iconic, it’s global, it’s Scotland. How to tackle such a huge subject? Well, the V&A has split the exhibition into five bite-size chunks. Tartan and the Grid looks at the basic structure of tartan, the technicalities, the rulebook! Innovating Tartan investigates the fabric’s development and how it moves with the technology of the times.
Tartan and Identity was my favourites section, exploring self-expression and personal statement. Tartan and Power captured my imagination as it drives home the fact that tartan’s the fashion darling of both rebels and the establishment. Finally, Transcendental Tartan aims to transport visitors to new tartan futures and possibilities.
The pieces borrowed and commissioned are beautiful. Vivienne Westwood‘s Anglomania suit (above) of coat, waistcoat, kilt and tartan crews is so dapper. And it also plays with the gender non-conforming aspect of tartan, which is highlighted in other stunning creations such as the outfit worn on Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
The global impact of tartan is highlighted, it’s a ubiquitous textile that symbolises Scotland wherever it goes. But the Tartan and Power section really gets you thinking. The British Royal Family, the ultimate symbol of the establishment, has embraced tartan.
Dress designs for Princess Diana are elegantly penned by David Sassoon (see above). Chic dresses for attending the Rothesay Highland Games and turning on the Christmas lights in London. Tartan outfits worn by fashion icons the Duke and Duchess of Windsor are on show, and a space dedicated to the Stewart tartan and its role in the ‘Balmoralisation’ of tartan, much loved by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, transform a corner of the gallery. A more emotional exhibit, a kilt worn on a battlefield in WW1, poignantly demonstrates how soldiers, official combatants when our country is at war, wore Scotland’s iconic textile as they fought and died.
The reverse side of this same coin is tartan worn as a form of rebellion. From ancients warriors, Scottish heroes and Jacobites to suffragettes suggesting that maybe women should have the right to vote and fighting for their lives to achieve this goal. Alexander McQueen’s delicate pieces all tell a story. The ragged Highland Rape collection (below centre) alludes to the Highland Clearances, Widows of Culloden (below left) is a dress inspired by those left bereft after battle, and Joan (below right) is dedicated to Catholic martyrs such as Mary Queen of Scots and Joan of Arc.
Plus don’t forget the era of punk that embraced tartan in bomber jackets and bondage trousers – think Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McLaren and Johnny Rotten.
The designer names drop off the tongue. Many spent time in Scotland, such as Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. As well as Westwood and McQueen, look out for dynamic Dior and a stunning Zandra Rhodes dress that mixes up Indian and Scottish influences.
Lastly, don’t miss the specially commissioned installation called Intersectional Family by Olubiyi Thomas (below). The story and thought process behind the piece is summed up within the exhibition – I don’t want to give too much away!
As I say, the exhibition is split into five categories but, ultimately, it’s about fashion. People may hear the word ‘fashion’ and think it’s frivolous and gendered and therefore unimportant, when (as this exhibition punches through) fashion and clothing are powerful. Clothing sends powerful, passionate and sometimes risky signals, messages and statements. Tartan is still the pride of Scotland, and this exhibition does it justice.
Practical Info – V&A Dundee Tartan Exhibition
Prices and Tickets
It’s a couple of quid cheaper to book online. Adults are £12.73 and Under 18s are Free. Find out more and book here.
Kids at the V&A Dundee Tartan Exhibition
The V&A is a very child-friendly space with free worksheets and colouring for kids to have fun with at their leisure. This particular exhibition is adult-focused with occasional adult themes, and nothing particularly aimed at junior visitors. So, while your child will be very welcome to attend, don’t expect hands-on interactive zones or games/activities within the Tartan exhibition itself. As kids are free, if you want to visit, what’s the harm in taking them along anyway? For more family fun at V&A Dundee click here.
The V&A has a children’s menu available in Tatha Bar & Kitchen, there’s a buggy park on the ground floor, and baby changing facilities on Level 0 and Level 2.
Food & Drink
I’d thoroughly recommend the on site Tatha Bar & Kitchen. It’s not another humdrum museum café with a captive audience, it creates food you actually want to eat.
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