Rock Style: Music + Fashion + Attitude (touring)

Sexy, contemporary and informative, this was the first exhibition in Britain to celebrate the influence of rock and pop musicians on style over the last fifty years.

The exhibition included iconic costumes such as Elvis’ leather suit from his 1968 comeback appearance, The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper Suits, Madonna’s gold bustier and Elton John’s platform shoes. These fantastic outfits were set alongside classic images by acclaimed fashion and rock photographers including David Bailey, Art Kane, Mick Rock and Bob Gruen, plus original record covers, vintage magazines, concert footage and video.  

Visitors were able to look into the closet of the major style trends: 60s psychedelia, mod, punk, pop, metal, funk, indie and hip-hop and were even able to create their own looks in styling workshops throughout the exhibition. The exhibition also celebrated styles worn by stars and their fans and highlighted the creativity of three artists – David Bowie, Madonna and Bjork. 

The exhibition was originally organised by The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland. It was augmented and developed by the Barbican Centre for showing in London.