The Alice Look: Alice and Fashion at the V&A Museum of Childhood

Alice in Wonderland, who is turning 150 this year, looks very good for her age. But then, Alice is used to looking good, having evolved from a follower-of-fashion to a trend-setter, as the years have ticked by and each generation has approached one of the most popular childhood novels of all time differently.

The Alice look display: V&A Museum of Childhood

Lewis Carrolls’ Alice in Wonderland books have been adopted and adapted across the world and in all walks of life, and she has inspired many of the most celebrated designers, stylists and photographers. Uncover the trend-setting garments, photographs and rare editions of the book, as well as the brand new commission by Roksanda pattern-cutter Josie Smith at the V&A Museum of Childhood.

Alice and Fashion Conference

On Saturday May 9, there is a one-day conference linked to The Alice Look display, further exploring Lewis Carroll’s Alice as fashionista through and through, with papers spanning the century and a half since the publicationn of Wonderland

Explore what Alice wears and what this can tell us about her, and at some of the diverse practices of dressing as Alice in different parts of the world.

Alice in Wonderland fashion speakers

Speakers, including Will Brooker, Aneesh Barai, Shahidha Bari, Ellen Kirkpatrick, Emma Mawston, Clare Rose, Mark Richards, Josephine Rout and Kiera Vaclavik will be inspecting a range of texts an fabrics, alongside other items of the Museum of Childhood and from collection soft Lewis Carroll Society members.