Wee Birdy

Shopping in London: V&A shop

Over the past couple of years I’ve posted quite a lot about my favourite bits and pieces from various London museums and galleries, but I’ve never delved into any great detail about the actual shops themselves. So naturally, that’s about to change…

It’s a given that any gallery-goer’s journey will end in the designated shop space – in fact their presence (and the promise of a toy dinosaur) has been used as the proverbial dangling carrot to get many a child through the tedium of an exhibition itself. But some of the world’s greatest and most-loved museums and galleries (New York’s MoMA, London’s Tate Modern, Design Museum and the V&A) have evolved in such a way that their shops are a retail (and tourist) destination in their own right.

I must confess that I’ve been guilty, on more than one occasion, of making a specific gift-buying dash to the V&A shop, without so much as a peep in at any of the permanent collection galleries (I know, shameful behaviour!). But that’s because the V&A, in particular, offers up an expertly-edited line-up of gifts, accessories, books and children’s toys – all perfect candidates for being packaged up and sent away to friends and family far away.

There's also a dedicated bookshop, with subjects spanning the worlds of design, art, fashion, textiles, jewellery, photography and architecture. And they always have an extensive range of the most gorgeous cards:

The website is also an excellent source for all manner of design-led products and accessories, and autumn/winter’s new collection has just arrived online. I’m loving the cherry brooch by Francoise Montague, squirrel ring box by Jonathan Adler, and chirpy cicada brooch.

There's also a really lovely selection of luxe hairbands and headpieces, like this little pleated beauty ...

The shop is also particularly good when it comes to accessing a clever range of kids’ toys, games and activities, starting at pocket-money prices. I’m particularly fond of the vintage-style wind-up tin toys, like this circus elephant, and these Clifford Richards cat and fairy notebooks.

The V&A also have a brilliant prints service, where you can order any print from their vast collection in the size, format and paper of your choice.

Also keep an eye out for pieces from the Cherry on a Cake collection, a brilliant line of limited edition designer collaborations, making them perfect (read: non-crap) souvenirs for tourists and London newcomers alike. Inspired by the museum’s extensive collections, you can take your pick from a stunning Grayson Perry doll (at a super-cool £4000, wow) or a Concise Book of Patterns necklace by Comfort Station. Art and history has never been so wearable.

The V&A Shop
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. 020 7942 2687
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 10am-5.30pm
Late night every Friday until 9.45pm

Top tea sets: English Eccentrics

'More Tea Vicar?' extra large teapot, £32, from the V&A Shop.

'Not For All The Tea In China' jar, £20, and 'Storm in a Teacup' cup and saucer, £10, from the V&A shop.

'I'm a little teapot' small teapot, £20, from the V&A Shop.

The award-winning English Eccentrics ceramics range by UK-based Big Tomato Company features a tea set with wit and smart-arsed slogans. Naturally, I love them. For the best prices around, head to the V&A shop.

The V&A Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. 020 7942 2966

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Top tea sets: Lin Jing for V&A

Limited edition Lin Jing Keke jug, £60 and Limited edition Lin Jing Qiqi teapot, £145 from the V&A shop.

The fluid clean lines displayed in these stunning pieces by Lin Jing are perfect for those into minimalist design. The limited edition teapot and jug are part of a tea set that’s currently sold exclusively in Shanghai and on show at the V&A’s recent China Design Now exhibition.

The V&A Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. 020 7942 2966

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Summer fete, London-style

Ahhh, a village fete in high summer – a perfectly quaint English tradition that sounds right up my alley, especially when the V&A’s in charge.

Last year's fete in the V&A's John Madejski Garden

I’m still kicking myself about missing out last year, so tomorrow night you’ll find me at the Late Night Village Fete, playing hoopla at Tatty Devine’s booth in a bid to win a limited-edition ring, getting into a scratch-off for art prizes at Rob Ryan’s stall, and lining up at Lady Luck Rules OK for a bespoke wooden rosette brooch.

Moustache necklace £23, by Tatty Devine.

There’s an impressive line-up of other creative games and stalls by leading as well as up-and-coming designers in Britain, and kooky events like helium karaoke (uh, that's heli-oke), “The Beard Tent” (compete for the largest and most object-filled beard) and “Anarchy in an English Country Garden” (winning topiary trimmers score bondage-style wellies). See you there amongst the bunting … and the beards.

Friday Late Village Fete
Friday 25 July, 6.30pm-10pm
Saturday 26 July, 10am-5.45pm
The V&A Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. 020 7942 2966

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Baby Love: The Supremes

I’m a big fan of sixties girl bands and Northern Soul, so I was quite looking forward to seeing the V&A Museum’s latest exhibition, The Story of The Supremes. Despite the fact the museum has been criticised for “dumbing down” its exhibitions with populist inclusions like the Kylie retrospective, I was excited by the prospect of seeing a collection of the group’s iconic costumes and learning a bit more about the history of Motown.

Image source: V&A

So when I headed over to the museum on Sunday and reached the first showcase in the exhibition, it’s fair to say I was surprised and disappointed when blaring techno music started playing from the fashion show next door. It basically drowned out The Supremes and various video exhibits featuring recorded speeches by Martin Luther King. Not exactly what I was expecting for the opening weekend of a music-led exhibition, which documents the rise of African American music in sixties America (ie. Motown actually being HEARD by the predominant mainstream white audience).

Image source: V&A

Initial disappointment aside, the exhibition was, of course, a hit, with a fantastic line-up of some of The Supremes’ most spectacular glittery, bugle-bead encrusted costumes. I particularly loved their earlier creations like the fitted shantung silk shifts and the tiered ruffled chiffon dresses. These frocks were designed to MOVE and accentuate their trademark shimmies and shakes.

Some other costume highlights:

And a couple of picks from the V&A shop:

Supremes Badge Pack, £2.50, from the V&A shop.

Love Child t-shirt, £18, from the V&A shop.

The Story of the Supremes from the Mary Wilson Collection
(until October 19)
The V&A Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. 020 7942 2966