From 24 February to 8 May, the V&A will host a different fashion exhibition, Spectres: When Fashion Turns Back, bringing together beautiful historic costumes by designers such as Christian Dior and Elsa Schiaparelli and clothes by today's designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Martin Margiela and Hussein Chalayan to explain the power of the historical muse to shape fashion design today.

The exhibition installation will reflect these themes through the atmospheric and unsettling world of Victorian fairgrounds and theatres, employing visual illusions, such as magic lanterns, magnifying mirrors and peepholes, enabling the viewer too explore the exquisite detailing used by designers.

In a variety of settings, designers from the past and present are brought together: a Victorian dress is paired with one by Olivier Theyskens; Pierre Cardin's futuristic 1960s mini with Junya Watanabe's silver dress; and a gown by Madame Grès with one by Helmut Lang.

Information: (020) 4942 2000
Web: www.vam.ac.uk