Kensington and Chelsea, London

2026 (dates to be confirmed — check Kensington Palace website) · Kensington

A new exhibition at Kensington Palace telling the story of Sophia Duleep Singh — Punjabi princess, goddaughter of Queen Victoria, and one of the most remarkable women of the Edwardian era. A passionate suffragette who sold The Suffragette newspaper on the steps of Hampton Court Palace and refused to pay her taxes in protest, Sophia used her royal connections and determined character to fight for women's rights. The exhibition explores her extraordinary life through the stories of five women who shaped it. Not to be missed.

Twice yearly (typically March and October) · Chelsea

One of London's best vintage fashion fairs, Frock Me! takes over Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King's Road twice a year, bringing together over 100 leading vintage dealers from across the UK and beyond. Expect a remarkable range of clothing, accessories, jewellery, and curiosities spanning the 1920s to the 1990s. The Chelsea setting is fitting — the King's Road was the epicentre of British fashion in the 1960s and 70s. Admission is charged; check the Frock Me! website for exact dates.

28 March – 8 November 2026 · South Kensington

The first major UK exhibition ever devoted to Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli opens at the V&A in March 2026, running until November. Comprising over 200 objects — garments, accessories, jewellery, paintings, photographs, sculpture, and archive material — the exhibition charts Schiaparelli's fearless imagination, from the Skeleton Dress and Tears Dress created with Salvador Dalí in 1938, to the house's present-day incarnation under creative director Daniel Roseberry. The show also spotlights the brand's long relationship with London, including the stories of Schiaparelli's British clients. Early weekend tickets had already sold out by February 2026; booking well in advance is essential.