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David Bowie Centre Opens at London’s V&A East Storehouse

Visitors will now have the chance to explore the personal collections and mementos that helped shape the cultural icon

By Alexandria Sillo
Person in blue looking at a large screen displaying a musician playing guitar, mirrored reflection on the surface.
The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: © David Parry/ PA Media.

Let’s dance. On September 13, the V&A East Storehouse will open the doors to The David Bowie Centre, allowing guests the chance to explore the personal collections and mementos that helped shape the musician and cultural icon. Never-before-seen items and unfinished works will be on display, including The Spectator musical that he was working on until his death in 2016.

Nine rotating mini displays featuring 200 highlights spanning different themes and elements from his career—including his many personas—are available for viewing, while the center’s Order an Object feature will enable fans to see items up close for the first time. The center noted that a frockcoat designed by Alexander McQueen and gifted to Bowie for his 50th birthday concert in 1997 is among the most requested items.

Person handling framed paper next to mannequin wearing light suit and tie on display.
A V&A Technician adjusts handwritten lyrics for song Win from album Young Americans in the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: © David Parry/ V&A

Personal touches, including private letters, Bowie’s first-ever instrument, and sketches by the musician himself will be viewable, as is twenty of his most iconic fashion looks and costumes, some of which are further reflected on in a special film featuring Bowie’s performances and music videos.

Two people adjust a colorful, patterned outfit on a black mannequin in a room filled with fashion memorabilia and photographs.
V&A Technicians install an asymmetric catsuit designed by Kansai Yamamoto for David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust in 1973. Photo: © David Parry / V&A
Person viewing a red, white, and blue jacket and framed picture in a display case with musical instruments.
Union Flag frockcoat designed by David Bowie and Alexander McQueen for Earthling, 1997. Photo: David Parry, PA Media Assignments

“Bowie was a pioneering multidisciplinary creative—musician, actor, writer, performer, and cultural icon—working in a way many young creatives move fluidly across disciplines today,” says V&A East Curator Dr. Madeleine Haddon. “He was fascinated by the modern musical form and the 18th century as a threshold of modernity, shaped by the Enlightenment, advances in the arts, science, and philosophy. His plans for The Spectator, among other creative projects that can be seen across the displays, reveal his continual drive to experiment with boundary-pushing ideas and creative forms throughout his life and career, as well as his meticulous creative process, which visitors can delve into throughout his archive and across the David Bowie Centre’s opening displays.”

Two individuals handling a red electric guitar in a music store, surrounded by shelves and bright lighting.
V&A Technicians install a Red Steinberger Hohner electric guitar used by David Bowie in Valentine’s Day music video (1973), in the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: © David Parry/ V&A
People viewing exhibits and a large screen displaying a musician with a guitar in a modern museum setting.
The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: David Parry, PA Media Assignments.
Two people examining framed artwork in a storage facility with various paintings and photographs around them.
A visitor sees original album artwork by Edward Bell for the David Bowie album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), 1980, at their Order an Object appointment at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: David Parry for the V&A.
Person with gloves adjusting a light blue suit on a mannequin in a fashion studio.
A V&A Conservator adjusts a suit designed by Freddie Burretti for David Bowie in the 1972 Life on Mars? music video during installation of the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: David Parry for the V&A
Person examining a decorated white mask with red and blue face paint while wearing purple gloves.
A V&A Collections Access Officer handles a life mask by William Forsche of David Bowie’s face painted to resemble his makeup from Aladdin Sane.
Museum staff examines artist's palette and tools on display shelf, alongside an award statue and framed documents.
A V&A Technician installs David Bowie’s paint palette and knife in the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storeshouse. Photo: © David Parry/ V&A
Person wearing a red helmet and gloves adjusting a large bird sculpture in a display with photographs.
A V&A Technician adjusts gold wings designed by Diana Moseley for David Bowie for the Glass Spider tour, 1987 in the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo: © David Parry/ V&A

Access to the David Bowie Centre is free, made possible by the David Bowie Estate, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and Warner Music Group. Tickets are released every six weeks, and appointments to view items in the archive can be booked online.