Victoria and Albert Museum

Founded by Queen Victoria as an expression of the tastes and trends that developed during her reign, this museum, inaugurated in 1840 with the specific intent of assembling a collection of fine fabrics and to design new materials for high couture and tailoring, came to focus over time on fashion. It now contains the world’s most important collection (80,000 items) in the areas of fabrics, outfits and costumes. Since 1971, it has chosen to focus its attention on the creatives of the twentieth century. Among the most popular rooms, is the one prepared by Cecil Beaton for the permanent exhibition entitled 400 Years of Fashion. Over time the museum has expanded its interests to include other sectors of arts and crafts.