V&A Dundee’s major 2026 exhibitions have just been announced
- Andrew Batchelor
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
V&A Dundee has announced two major exhibitions for 2026, including a UK-first fashion showcase and a groundbreaking celebration of disabled design and culture.
The first, Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show, will run from 3 April 2026 to 17 January 2027. Making its UK debut in Dundee, the exhibition explores the evolution of the fashion show, from 19th century private salons to the spectacular, global events seen today.
It promises to bring together iconic moments from designers such as Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Prada and Louis Vuitton, charting over 100 years of runway history.
Highlights will include theatrical productions such as Alexander McQueen’s dramatic stagings, Fendi’s show at the Great Wall of China, Dior’s takeover of Drummond Castle Gardens in Perthshire, and Chanel’s rocket launch set.
Visitors can expect an immersive journey through catwalk culture, featuring original pieces, stage props, film, photography and archival material.
Kirsty Hassard, co-curator of the exhibition, described the catwalk as “a defining cultural stage,” saying the show will reveal how these events have shaped not only fashion, but wider society.
Tickets for Catwalk: The Art of the Fashion Show will go on sale in February 2026, with an illustrated catalogue accompanying the exhibition.
Following shortly after, Design and Disability will open on 4 June 2026. Originally developed at V&A South Kensington, this exhibition will highlight the radical contributions of Disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent people to design and culture from the 1940s to the present day.
Around 170 objects will be on display, ranging from adaptive technologies and accessible design innovations to personal DIY creations and zines.
The show will feature industry milestones such as Microsoft’s adaptive Xbox controller and the OXO Good Grips kitchen tools, while also shining a light on grassroots creativity that redefines who society sees as a “designer”.
It will emphasise design justice, accessibility, and the importance of centring Disabled voices within the creative process.
Curator Natalie Kane said the exhibition is “an act of joy and resistance,” affirming Disabled life as a vital source of creative practice.
The exhibition will celebrate the ingenuity and culture of Disabled people while challenging ableism within the design world.
Together, the two exhibitions mark a significant year for V&A Dundee, showcasing the global stage of high fashion alongside the radical rethinking of design through the lived experiences of Disabled people.
