V&A’s Diva Exhibition

“From Mae West’s white satin to Tina Turner’s showstopping flame dress and Elton John’s Louis XIV look, the definition of diva is taken to the limit in a show where tragedy lurks among the glitter” – TheGuardian

 

DIVA is available at Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, London UK until April 4th 2024. It exhibits the origins and creativity of iconic performers, delving the role of ‘diva’ and how its interpretation has changed over time across opera, stage, popular music, and film. More than 60 looks are displayed and those were worn by Elton John to Janelle Monae and Marilyn Monroe. Highlights include the iconic costumes created by Bob Mackie for stars like Tina Turner and Pink as well as Elton John’s Sandy Powell look for his 50th birthday.

“In our new exhibition at the V&A, we track the myriad meanings of ‘diva’ through popular culture via photography, film, fashion, music and live performance. We examine how contemporary performers and their fans are redefining and reclaiming the word: today, a diva might be an artist whose creativity has rocketed them into traditionally male spaces, as with Dolly Parton or Barbara Streisand, or who breaks barriers into new musical genres, like Blondie. Or it could be someone who has a strong sense of self and style, whether female (Lizzo) or male (Elton John). A diva has agency – think of how Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin used their voices not only to sing, but also to campaign for civil rights.” — The V&A Curator Kate Bailey explained.

 

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObXreLlB9tA