A collection of Freddie Mercury’s costumes will go on display at the V&A to mark what would have been his 80th birthday.
The free temporary trail, Freddie Mercury Splendid Things, will include eight of his looks and is inspired by a quote he gave in 1978, in which he said: “I like to be surrounded by splendid things. I want to lead a Victorian life surrounded by exquisite clutter.”
Trail developed with Mary Austin
The trail, developed with his former fiancee and close friend Mary Austin, celebrates the Queen frontman’s career through costumes and accessories that were worn in some of his music videos and performances. Austin has loaned seven of the looks to the V&A for the display.
Each of the six stops on the trail will showcase a stand-out moment in Mercury’s career, with the V&A saying the looks will “spotlight his flamboyance, charisma and the multi-disciplinary creativity that helped define his enduring legacy”.
Iconic outfits from the 1970s and 80s
The looks span the 1970s and 80s and include a monochrome ensemble that he wore for an early Queen gig at Imperial College and which also featured on the cover of Queen’s debut album in 1973. Another outfit is the ‘Mercury Wing’ catsuit designed by Wendy de Smet that he wore on stage for the Night At The Opera tour in 1975, as well as in the Bohemian Rhapsody music video.
His crown and cloak designed by Diana Moseley and worn on the Magic Tour, including for Mercury’s final stage appearance with Queen at Knebworth in 1986, also features. The V&A has said the accessories also featured in the display “offer a glimpse of the man behind the Mercury persona”.
Mannequins and public programme
Mannequins made specially for the trail will also be posed to reflect Mercury’s stage presence. There will also be a public programme of related events to coincide with the display.
V&A senior curator of theatre and performance Kate Bailey said: “We are thrilled to display Freddie’s most iconic costumes at the V&A, celebrating one of the greatest performers and songwriters of all time. Reflecting his love of ‘splendid things’ and his passion for art, design and fashion, Freddie will be very at home in the V&A galleries.”
Austin added: “As we celebrate Freddie’s legacy in what would have been his 80th year, the clothes and costumes to be displayed at the V&A tell a hugely important part of his story both on and off the stage.
“Never mere accoutrements, his costumes and clothes were essential to his performances, creative vision, and wider self-expression, carefully designed to create a lasting visual and emotional impact that has reached across the generations and still reverberates today.”
Mercury, who was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5 1946, was a founding member of pop rock band Queen, which went on to have six UK number one singles and 10 UK number one albums. Some of their best-known songs include Killer Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love and We Are The Champions.
In 1985, Mercury released his only solo studio album, Mr Bad Guy, and went on to release Barcelona in 1988, a collaborative album with Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe. He had six UK top 10 singles as a solo artist. He died from bronchial pneumonia resulting from Aids aged 45.
Freddie Mercury Splendid Things runs from October 24 until January 17 2027, at the V&A South Kensington.
