Burberry is continuing its cultural links and on Monday announced that it’s supporting the transformation of the Fashion Gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington as part of a multi-year partnership.
V&A
Its deal with the London-based arts and culture institution unites “two icons of British culture with a shared legacy of heritage, innovation and creativity,” we’re told and will see the gallery redeveloped and exclusively renamed The Burberry Gallery on reopening in spring 2027.
The gallery closes in May ahead of its renovation into “a spectacular and participatory space that will inspire visitors and enable them to experience the V&A’s fashion collection in innovative and exciting ways”.
The 2027 opening of The Burberry Gallery will also be complemented by a “wide-ranging activity programme on-site, offline and online, offering a world-class learning experience and greater access to fashion education for all”.
Burberry CEO Joshua Schulman said the partnership “marks a milestone moment for British arts and culture”.
The Fashion Gallery at the V&A is a major attraction and has hosted a number of major exhibitions, most recently ‘Naomi: In Fashion’.
But despite being one of the museum’s most visited and largest dedicated permanent gallery spaces, it was last structurally redeveloped as far back as 1962.
The partners said that on reopening, The Burberry Gallery will “continue to display a world-class fashion collection spanning five centuries and designs from a multitude of both brands and individuals”.
As mentioned, it’s a continuation of the luxury label’s long-standing legacy of supporting arts and culture at home and abroad, including it previously partnering with the British Pavilion for La Biennale di Venezia and the Royal Academy for the Thomas Burberry Prize. The cultural links also feed through to its runway shows with the Winter 2025 collection having been shown at Tate Britain and the Summer 2025 one at the National Theatre, both in London.
The museum and the brand were founded in the same decade in the 19th century and V&A director Tristram Hunt said they’ve “been pillars of British fashion. Global in our reach, whilst champions of UK art and design, we share a commitment to ensuring our proud heritage inspires the next generation of creatives. This partnership allows us to share the V&A’s incredible collections in new and accessible ways and, with Burberry, support education and craftsmanship across the country”.
So what happens for anyone wanting to view the V&A fashion pieces between now and 2027? The gallery shuts on 4 May and before it reopens, access to the V&A’s fashion collection continues to be available at V&A East Storehouse, opening 31 May, and online at vam.ac.uk.
Fashion and homewares brand La Redoute has launched its latest UK collaboration with the brand’s newest ambassador, author, podcaster and columnist Louise Thompson.
The reality show star (she originally appeared in Made In Chelsea) has become a popular lifestyle influencer in recent years.
The range brings together Thompson’s “unique aesthetic to life through an exclusive edit, blending effortless elegance with her distinct personal touch”.
And for an edit, it’s extensive, featuring 100 pieces across fashion and interiors offering both wardrobe essentials and homewares pieces.
Of the spring/summer fashion edit, there are 26 curated pieces “that transition through the seasons”. From pastel knit jumpers to blazers and ballet-style flats, and we’re told “each item reflects Louise’s effortless yet refined approach to dressing”.
The interiors edit comprises of over 70 homewares pieces, with staple wooden furniture, soft furnishings and decorative accents.
Sarah Link, marketing director at La Redoute, said: “Louise’s passion for style and clean-cut aesthetic is something which aligns perfectly with La Redoute’s ethos, which makes this collaboration such an idealistic one.”
The La Redoute x Louise Thompson edit is available online, with prices starting from £14.99.
Returning for a sixth consecutive year, both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City malls become the capital’s leading destination for the annual London Eid Festival.
Europe’s largest Eid al-Fitr celebration, it’s taking place until 6 April at Westfield London, followed by Westfield Stratford City (11-13 April), with the events expected to draw over 300,000 visitors across both weekends – “rivalling the footfall typically seen on Boxing Day at the centres”, operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said.
Organised by Westfield Rise, its in-house media, brand partnerships, and experiential agency, the events span 4.2 million sq ft across indoor and outdoor event spaces. The festival features a mix of live entertainment, immersive brand activations, food markets, and international retailers from Turkey, Malaysia, Dubai, and beyond.
Westfield Square will host a main entertainment stage, showcasing appearances from community celebrities and VIPs. Inside, visitors can explore over 80 international concession stands across The Atrium at Westfield London and The Arena at Westfield Stratford City, offering everything from modest fashion and boutique gifts to children’s books and homeware.
Melanie Lalou, director of Westfield Rise, Northern Europe, said: “The London Eid Festival is a prime example of how Westfield Rise connects brands with communities through immersive activations. Our event spaces host everything from interactive pop-ups to large-scale cultural celebrations, with live entertainment, vibrant food markets, and striking creative displays across our digital OOH network. This festival highlights the power of experiential engagement, bringing brands and diverse audiences together in a meaningful way.”
Fasahion/lifestyle retail group Matalan has launched a 27-piece collection in collaboration with fashion brand Little Mistress and TV personality Vicky Pattison.
She’s only the latest in a series of reality TV show stars to link up with a retailer on a signature collection. She rose to prominence originally on the Geordie Shore show.
We’re told it’s a collection that brings together “the best of on-trend designs with Matalan’s signature commitment to great quality fashion at affordable prices”.
From dresses and tailored jumpsuits to casual blouses and statement skirts, the collection covers a variety of day-to-night styles, “reflecting Pattison’s personal style”. It comes in “bold hot pink, fiery red, and playful florals”.
With prices starting from just £18 and in sizes from 8-22 the collection is now available in-store and online.
Matalan’s buying director, Laura Wiard said: “The collection reflects the latest trends, while ensuring we stay true to Matalan’s mission of providing stylish fashion at accessible prices.”
Mark Ashton, founder and MD at Little Mistress, added: “We’ve worked hard to create a collection that’s not only fashionable and versatile but also accessible for everyone. It’s all about empowering women to feel their best, no matter the occasion. We’re confident that this collection will resonate with customers and help them express their own unique style.”
Entertainment8 years ago