You could be forgiven for not expecting a whole lot of 'cool' from a museum that is over 150 years old, however the opposite must be said for London's prestigious Victoria and Albert museum. The last few years have been particularly exciting as the museum have successfully managed to attract a younger audience through a bunch of innovative and down right exciting exhibitions and events.
Earlier this year saw the V&A hold their acclaimed 'China Design Now' exhibition which brought contemporary China to the forefront and explored the design explosion that the nation has seen over the past few decades. The main focus was the clash between consumerism and urban culture that has recently produced astonishing fashion and monumental architecture that China is increasingly being known for. Shiny buildings, Manga-style graphics, skateboard and trainer designs… you know what we mean.
The V&A has also just recently hosted their annual Village Fete, which if you weren't lucky enough to attend, is an alternative and modern spin on the traditional English village fete. The event features a whole garden full of unique, crazy and often bizarre stalls that have been designed and are ran by both established names and newcomers in the UK's creative fashion and graphic design scene.
The museums latest exhibition, Fashion V Sport, opens this week, and promises to boost up the V&A's street cred rating as an institute that whilst being so historic, still has its' ear to the ground and is relevant to a contemporary audience. This new exhibition explores and examines the ever-increasing fusion between contemporary fashion and global sportswear brands and their inspiration with all things street style. Think Stella McCartney, Dries van Noten, Sonia Rykiel etc.
Amongst the display is a collection of over 60 outfits from a whole range of designers who have playfully and creatively influenced and incorporated high-end fashion into sportswear. The exhibition also has a strong focus on customization in sports fashion and features items such as a jacket reconstructed from sections of Nike clothing by cult designer Dr Romanelli and Jeremy Scott's range for Adidas inspired by the work of artist Keith Haring. Also just to mix things up a bit, look out for the Nike handmade crocodile skin trainers and Ends' diamond-encrusted shoelaces.