Burberry’s Bold Move: The V&A Fashion Gallery Gets a Chic Makeover

The Iconic Fashion Gallery in London Closes for Renovation, Set to Reopen as The Burberry Gallery in 2027

Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, and Joshua Schulman, CEO of Burberry. Courtesy of Burberry.

According to WWD, Burberry is making waves in the art world with a major revamp of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Fashion Gallery in South Kensington. Starting May 4, 2025, the gallery will temporarily close for renovations, reopening in the spring of 2027 as The Burberry Gallery.

So, what’s the big deal? Well, for starters, this isn’t just a new name on a plaque. Burberry is pouring resources into transforming the space into a participatory, interactive experience, making fashion education more accessible to everyone. Expect an exciting lineup of in-person and digital events designed to bring the V&A’s incredible fashion collection to life like never before.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London. Peter Kelleher

A Long Overdue MakeoverIf you’ve ever visited the V&A’s Fashion Gallery, you might be surprised to learn that it hasn’t seen a major structural upgrade since 1962. That’s over 60 years! The renovation will breathe fresh life into one of the most popular permanent fashion exhibitions in London, keeping its legendary five-century-spanning collection intact while enhancing the experience for visitors.

Burberry’s Commitment to British Fashion and CultureThis collaboration is no surprise—Burberry and the V&A were both founded in the same decade and have been at the heart of British fashion for over 150 years. Burberry CEO Joshua Schulman describes the partnership as a "milestone moment for British arts and culture," emphasizing that the refreshed gallery will inspire future generations of creatives.

The Fashion Gallery at the V&A in London. Peter Kelleher

Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, echoes this sentiment, saying that this partnership is a perfect match, as both institutions share a deep commitment to celebrating heritage while looking forward to the future of design and craftsmanship.

More Than Just a GalleryWhen it reopens, The Burberry Gallery will still showcase a vast collection of historical and contemporary fashion pieces from various designers. But this renovation is about more than static displays—it’s about engagement, creativity, and accessibility. Researchers, students, and fashion lovers can continue to explore these collections through the V&A East Storehouse and online at vam.ac.uk while renovations are underway.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

This isn’t Burberry’s first foray into supporting arts and culture. The brand has previously worked with the British Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia and the Royal Academy, while also hosting in-store exhibitions featuring historic and archival Burberry pieces. Most recently, Burberry displayed replicas of the lightweight gabardine outfits worn by Sir Ernest Shackleton and his team during their Antarctic expedition in 1914—proving that fashion is as much about history as it is about innovation.

With Burberry at the helm of this transformation, The Burberry Gallery at the V&A is set to become a must-visit destination for fashion lovers around the world. Mark your calendars for 2027—it’s going to be worth the wait!

Burberry’s replica of the lightweight gabardine outfit that Sir Ernest Shackleton wore, on display at the Regent Street store in London last year. Courtesy