From surrealist couture and 90s counterculture to international muses, photographers and much more, these are the most exciting fashion exhibitions happening this year.

If the winter months are keeping you indoors, or if you’re just looking for a bit of inspiration to fuel the year ahead, these exhibitions will get you out of the house and into the world of design, art, and photography. Here are the most exciting fashion exhibitions opening this year:

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London
28 March 2026 – November 1, 2026

The UK’s first ever exhibition on the iconic italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli spans nearly a century, celebrating the designer’s legacy from the 1920s, to present day creations by the brand’s current creative director Daniel Roseberry. Known for her avant garde designs and her close collaborations with surrealist artists like Salvador Dalí. Schiaparelli redefined the concept of high fashion: expect to see some of the surreal creations that forever changed the fashion landscape.

The 90s at the Tate Britain, London
8 October 2026 – 14 February 2027

A chance to step back in time to the rebellious energy of 90s Britain, a decade that shaped not just fashion, but also music and youth culture. Edited by former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, this exhibition brings together imagery from legendary photographers like Corinne Day, Juergen Teller, Nick Knight and David Sims. Featuring the key figures of the time, the rise of the grunge movement, this exhibition captures the essence of a transformative period in fashion history. 

Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, London
4 June – 6 September 2026

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth, this exhibition delves deep into the life and legacy of one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons. Featuring rare works and portraits by Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon, and others, it traces her transformation from Norma Jeane to the world’s most famous bombshell. The exhibition also includes some of Monroe’s final photographs taken in Malibu, offering a look at the woman behind the myth.

The Antwerp Six at MoMu, Antwerp
28 March 2026 – 17 January 2027

For the first time ever, a major exhibition is dedicated to the legacy of the Antwerp Six, a collective of Belgian fashion designers whose radical and deconstructed approach to clothing shook the fashion world in the late 1980s and early 90s. The group, which included designers like Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, and Walter Van Beirendonck, rejected conventional fashion and sought to redefine what it meant to be a designer. The exhibition will feature a broad range of their works, offering a rare glimpse into the creative minds behind some of the most innovative designers of the late 20th century.

Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
10 May 2026 -10 January 2027

Every year The Met’s Costume Institute exhibition is one not to miss, and this year is no exception. This is the first exhibition at the costume institute’s new permanent galleries and will explore the dressed body in all its forms and its significance pairing paintings, sculptures and other objects with historical and contemporary garments from the Costume Institute.

Tim Walker’s Fairyland: Love and Legends at the National Portrait Gallery, London
8 October 2026 – 31 January 2027

Known for his fantastical photographs that have been featured in every major fashion title, photographer Tim Walker’s imaginative world of fantasy and surrealism will come to life at the National Portrait Gallery this October. Having shot every prominent figure in culture since the 90s, from Alexander McQueen to Chappel Roan, Walker’s latest exhibition will collect new portraits of the queer community surrounding him shot in the past 5 years. 

Rafael Pavarotti at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
23 September 2026 – 7 February 2027

This exhibition will showcase the visionary work of Brazilian photographer Rafael Pavarotti, with over 200 prints on display including photographs of Beyonce or Harry Styles or images from campaigns from houses such as Dior or Margiela, the exhibition will explore the artist’s journey and his characteristic use of colour who is passionate about addressing the imbalance about the representation of black models in the industry. 

Many Shades of Grès at the Museum of Decorative Arts, Berlin
15 May 2026 – 11 October 2026

This exhibition celebrates legendary French couturier Madame Grès, best known for her floor length pleated gowns and timeless draping work, and will explore the work that set her apart in the fashion industry. Expect to see beautifully crafted gowns and detailed sketches that reveal her profound impact on 20th-century fashion, as well as the ongoing relevance of her work in today’s haute couture scene.