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Freddie Mercury is one of the best-loved stars in rock history – thanks in part to his electric stage presence, but also helped by the fabulous, flamboyant outfits he performed in. The Queen frontman performed in everything from sequinned leotards to vibrant military jackets to red patent leather trousers.
Now, eight spectacular looks worn by the star are set to go on display at the V&A South Kensington as part of a free trail celebrating what would have been his 80th birthday.
The exhibition has been created with the help of Mary Austin, Freddie’s closest friend and former fiancée. It’s titled Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things, after a remark he made in 1978: ‘I like to be surrounded by splendid things. I want to lead a Victorian life surrounded by exquisite clutter.’
Austin, to whom Freddie left most of his fortune and possessions when he died in 1991, has loaned seven of his looks to the museum. The trail will take visitors through Freddie’s career from Queen’s days performing at uni venues to some of their most legendary gigs to his days as a solo artist. There’ll be six stops along the route, each displaying the looks within a theatrical installation, designed to bring them to life through set dressing, audio and light.
The outfits include a monochrome ensemble he wore at an early Queen gig at Imperial College, the ‘Mercury Wing’ catsuit he wore for the Night At the Opera tour and Bohemian Rhapsody music video, and the opulent crown and cloak he wore on the Magic tour and during his final stage appearance with Queen at Knebworth in 1986. Visitors will also get a glimpse at accessories from the star’s personal collection.
Austin explains in upcoming book A Life in Lyrics that ‘Freddie understood early on that he wasn’t just wearing clothes; he was providing an image to match the scale of the space and the vastness of the crowd. He was there to entertain, and everything about what he wore fed into that’.
She adds: ‘Never mere accoutrements, his costumes and clothes were essential to his performances, creative vision, and wider self-expression, carefully designed to create a lasting visual and emotional impact that has reached across the generations and still reverberates today.’
Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things will be at the V&A South Kensington from October 24 until January 17. It’ll be free to visit.
See the programme of confirmed shows for the V&A Kensington and V&A East in 2027 here.
Plus: The V&A has announced an exhibition all about Burberry’s legendary trench coat.
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