Freddie Mercury’s ‘splendid things’ to be displayed at London’s V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is set to host a free exhibition titled “Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things,” which will display eight costumes worn by the Queen frontman. The trail, running from 24 October 2026 to 17 January 2027, marks what would have been Mercury’s 80th birthday. The collection spans his career from the 1970s to his final years, offering a detailed look at the visual identity that defined his performances.

The exhibition was developed in collaboration with Mercury’s former fiancée, Mary Austin, who is lending seven of the eight looks. Among the pieces on display is a monochrome ensemble worn for an early gig at Imperial College and featured on the cover of the band’s debut album. Also included is the “Mercury Wing” catsuit, designed by Wendy de Smet, which was worn during the 1975–76 A Night at the Opera tour and in the video for Bohemian Rhapsody.

Further highlights include Mercury’s crown and cloak, designed by Diana Moseley, which he wore during the 1986 Magic Tour. He donned this outfit for the band’s final live performance at Knebworth that year. The display will also feature a costume from the Made in Heaven music video, alongside accessories and items from his personal wardrobe.

The title of the trail derives from a 1978 remark by Mercury: “I like to be surrounded by splendid things. I want to lead a Victorian life surrounded by exquisite clutter.” Austin, who met Mercury in the mid-1960s while working in Kensington’s Biba fashion scene, has described his clothes as central to the image he created as a performer. Their romantic relationship ended in the mid-1970s, but they remained close until his death in 1991, when he left her his Kensington home, Garden Lodge, and his possessions.

In her upcoming book, A Life in Lyrics, due for publication in September, Austin notes that Mercury understood he was providing an image to match the scale of the space and the vastness of the crowd. She states that the costumes to be displayed at the V&A tell a hugely important part of his story, both on and off the stage.

The installations have been designed by Tom Piper, whose previous work includes productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the V&A’s Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser. Each of the trail’s six stops will be staged differently, using sets, sound, and lighting to evoke specific moments from Mercury’s career. Kate Bailey, the V&A’s senior curator of theatre and performance, says the display will explore Mercury’s love of “splendid things” and his interest in art, design, and fashion.