On Monday night, we headed down to the V&A to co-host a private viewing of the V&A’s new exhibition, Fashioning Masculinities, in collaboration with Gucci and TikTok: The Art of Menswear. Tracing how menswear has been fashioned and refashioned over the years, the exhibition plays host to some iconic pieces, all curated by Claire Wilcox, Rosalind McKever and Marta Franceschini.

The exhibition houses over 100 pieces and 100 artworks, displayed thematically. From looks by Harris Reed, Grace Wales Bonner, Raf Simons, and Harry Styles’ custom Gucci gown, to paintings by Sofonisba Anguissola and Joshua Reynolds, contemporary artworks by Robert Longo and Omar Victor Diop, to even an extract from an all-male dance performance by Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, the exhibition showcased the variety of possible masculinities across the centuries from the Renaissance to the global contemporary.

THE LIVE

At the space, we gave an exclusive TikTok LIVE tour of the exhibition with co-curator Marta, all hosted by Callum Mullin. From there, our guests arrived and we headed over to chat to them about their favourite pieces, thoughts on the night, and what was in those Gucci goody bags. 

THE WORKSHOP

Elsewhere, conceptual jeweller Clova Rae-Smith led a necklace-beading workshop with us, in which guests were invited to craft unique beaded necklaces and bracelets from a variety of different pearls, gems and stones. From semi-precious birthstones to strings of pearls and letter-spell outs, the community went all out under Clova’s expertise.

THE VIBE

The night was set to a soundtrack provided by none other than Jodie Harsh and Bestley on the decks, who along with the free bar, kept people dancing until the early hours – which in V&A world, means 9pm. Oh, and a Gucci photo-op!

Set Design: Rufus Wilkinson 

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