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V&A East Opens David Bowie Centre, Unlocking 90,000-Item Archive to the Public

Visitors book free timed tickets to request specific objects for supervised access through the new Order An Object service.

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Earthling, a Union Flag frock coat designed by David Bowie and Alexander McQueen in 1997, is on display during a press preview of the David Bowie Centre, a new archive at the V&A East Storehouse in London, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, ahead of its public opening on Saturday. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
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A pair of shoes wore by David Bowie on Ziggy Stardust in 1972 are on display during a press preview at the David Bowie Centre, a new archive at the V&A East Storehouse in London, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, ahead of its public opening on Saturday. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)

Overview

  • Public access begins Saturday, September 13, at the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, with appointments required to view items from the archive.
  • About 200 pieces are on initial display in nine rotating cases, with early guest-curated selections by Nile Rodgers and The Last Dinner Party and an interactive Library of Connections.
  • The holdings span 70,000 photographs, roughly 400 costumes and about 150 instruments, plus notes for unrealised projects including the film Young Americans and the musical The Spectator.
  • Requests have surged for an Alexander McQueen frock coat and Ziggy-era outfits, and many items can be handled under curator supervision during one-on-one appointments.
  • The V&A aims to publish a complete online catalogue by the end of 2026, following the archive’s 2023 acquisition with major funding from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group.