V&A Museum to Showcase David Bowie Centre with Exclusive Curator Selections

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has announced the opening of the David Bowie Centre, set to debut on September 13, 2025, in London. This new venue will feature a rotating selection of over 90,000 items from the late music icon's extensive archive, including significant personal artifacts such as his iconic Ziggy Stardust costumes and the wedding suit he wore when marrying Angela Barnett. Nile Rodgers, acclaimed guitarist and bandleader of Chic, is among the prominent guest curators contributing to the exhibition, which will allow visitors to experience Bowie’s artistic journey through a series of rotating showcases.

The David Bowie Centre is part of the V&A's broader initiative, the V&A East Storehouse, which aims to enhance public engagement with its vast collections. Visitors will not only have the opportunity to view physical items but will also be able to request specific objects to examine closely, utilizing the V&A's innovative “order an object” service. This service will enable patrons to book up to five items per visit, ensuring a personalized interaction with Bowie’s creative legacy.

Rodgers expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “My creative life with David Bowie provided the greatest success of his incredible career, but our friendship was just as rewarding.” His curated section will include personal correspondence with Bowie and behind-the-scenes images from their collaborations, showcasing the profound impact Bowie had on his musical career.

Additionally, the alt-pop band The Last Dinner Party will also serve as guest curators, presenting selections that include handwritten lyrics and unique studio photographs. They remarked, “David Bowie continues to inspire generations of artists like us to stand up for ourselves.” Their involvement highlights Bowie’s influence across multiple generations of musicians and artists.

The center will feature approximately 200 items curated by the V&A team in collaboration with local youth from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest. Among the themes explored will be Bowie’s unrealized projects, such as plans for film adaptations of his albums and his iconic performances, including the 1987 Glass Spider tour.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the David Bowie Centre will be an interactive installation that traces Bowie’s influence on contemporary pop culture figures, ranging from fashion designer Issey Miyake to Lady Gaga. A film compilation of live performances will also be presented, allowing fans to experience Bowie’s dynamic stage presence through the years.

The V&A initially acquired Bowie’s archive in 2023, with the museum's director, Tristram Hunt, emphasizing the importance of the center as a “new sourcebook for the Bowies of tomorrow.” The centre aims to draw significant tourist interest to the V&A East Storehouse, a modern venue that opened in May 2025 in London’s Olympic Park.

Architect Liz Diller described the design of the East Storehouse as an “immersive cabinet of curiosities,” aiming to flip traditional museum experiences by placing visitors at the heart of the collection. Critics have praised the building for its innovative approach to exhibiting art and artifacts, marking a significant evolution in museum design. A more traditional gallery space at the V&A East Museum is expected to open in spring 2026, complementing the Bowie Centre's offerings and expanding the museum's commitment to accessible and engaging cultural experiences. The David Bowie Centre promises to be a pivotal destination for fans and art lovers alike, celebrating the legacy of one of music's most iconic figures.