This past weekend, London was abuzz as the highly anticipated Taylor Swift Eras Tour returned for its second round this summer. The streets sparkled with sequins and cowgirl hats as fans reveled in the excitement that swept through the city. The excitement wasn’t limited to central London. Just across the street from our South Kensington Design Studio, the Victoria and Albert Museum curated an impressive collection of outfits worn by Taylor Swift throughout her career. Impeccably detailed and thoughtfully displayed along a 1-mile trail through the museum, these garments celebrate the artist’s prolific 20+ year journey, seamlessly integrated into the museum’s iconic spaces.
One standout was her red dress, dramatically showcased in the Victorian-style red bedroom—a striking convergence of interiors and fashion. This romantic red dress evokes memories of Room 304 at Covent Garden Hotel, where our four-poster bed and a mix of red and blue tones create a serene haven in the heart of bustling London.
Another highlight was a Victorian-inspired dress from her ‘Fearless’ album, displayed on the balcony overlooking the Raphael Cartoons Hall. The setting perfectly captured her love of fairy tales and storytelling. From the V&A’s balcony to the drawing room of our Warren Street Hotel in New York, the colour red stands as a powerful symbol of strength, passion, and warmth. Just like Taylor Swift’s iconic dress, our Warren Street Hotel drawing room embodies a fearless spirit.
In front of a pastoral landscape painting, her iconic custom leather cowboy boots were displayed alongside her guitar, a nod to the early days of her career. Her turquoise dress, worn when she was just 16, brought to mind the vibrant, lively ambiance of the happy room at Knightsbridge Hotel. Filled with bright yellows, it’s the perfect setting for a young girl’s dream space.
Swift’s successful transition from country star to pop icon was immortalised with her ‘1989’ album, a milestone that established her as one of the queens of pop. The museum honoured this era in a room featuring works by Raphael, a Renaissance master, underscoring her status as a true renaissance artist capable of crossing genres with ease. Her sequined look called to mind Apartment 10 at Ham Yard Hotel, where our sketchy mural design creates a striking focal point amidst a mix of blues, greens, and yellows.
Swift’s career has been marked by numerous milestones, including her ‘Midnights’ album, which broke streaming records upon release and became the bestselling album of 2022. The yellow dress she wore in one of her music videos from this album instantly transports us to the drawing room in Apartment 7. We just need Taylor sitting on the sofa!
We were thrilled that our team at Ham Yard Hotel participated in the weekend’s festivities. Guests staying at our hotels exchanged friendship bracelets, with the iconic pop star’s lyrics carefully strung with phrases like ‘You’re in London’, ‘Ham Yard’, and ‘Taylor Swift’.
As a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and singer, Taylor Swift is firmly in control of her creative vision. Seeing a vibrant, contemporary artist displayed alongside historical artifacts was a powerful reminder of the enduring connection between art, fashion, and design throughout history. The V&A’s ‘Taylor Swift Songbook’ trail is open until September 8th, 2024, and is free to the public.