Victoria & Albert Museum: a special place that most of us heard of, even if never visited.

Always great and interesting exhibitions planned.

London gives visitors and citizens so many places to see with outstanding shows. Also, the buildings are just second-to-none.

Somerset House is also an attractive place, simply because there are various wings, rooms, floors, entrances…a little Versailles in the middle of London.

So the V&A is having something similar to a fashion show starting on 19th May 2012 until 6th January 2013.

An event which could be qualified as “beautiful and rare“.

The museum wll have 2 floors dedicated to Ballgowns since 1950.

It will include superb made designs by couturier such as Victor Stiebel, Zandra Rhodes, Jonathan Saunders and Hussein Chalayan.

Also not forgetting a few evening wears designed by Catherine Walker and Worth London, to gowns fresh from the catwalk shows of Alexander McQueen, Erdem and more.

Alexander McQueen, S/S 2011. Image: Courtesy Christopher Moore, Catwalking

This event sponsored by Coutts & Co private bank, will  celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries.

Always good to see that a bank and not any bank, but the one used by The Queen, is involved in sponsorship and fashion.

Not the first time in fact. Coutts was previously the main financial partner for  London Fashion Week.

In fact, a great association of 2 sectors which makes the perfect blend.

Gown by Victor Edelstein, 1986. Worn and given by Lady Heseltine. Museum no. T.264-2001. Image © David Hughes 2011

Silk satin and beaded 'Rumina' gown by Erdem, A/W 2008. This dress was a highlight of the V&A's Fashion in Motion: Erdem show in December 2009. Lent by the designer. © V&A Images

However, if fashion or ballgowns aren’t your thing, there are a lot of other wonderful exhibitions to see and discover under the V&A roof. Up to you to make a choice.

As the Diamond Jubilee celebrations aren’t not that far, it is (certainly) the right time to have such event in place.

…From debutantes and royalty to charity balls and the red carpet, Ballgowns: British glamour since 1950 charts 60 years of stylish evening wear…