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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Evening Standard rating
Reader rating
Description: A display exploring the dress and uniforms of Russian emperors and members of the court from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Phone: 0207942 2000
Website: www.vam.ac.uk
Email: vanda@vam.ac.uk
Trains: Tube: South Kensington 
, Tube / Bus: 14, 74, 414, C1 
Extra info: Party Hire, Telephones, Pub, Food
Top rank: a jewel-encrusted brocade
Flamboyant: an example of the military-style outfits designed by the tsars for their coronations
Velour: these shoes stand out
With just 40 outfits this is not a big exhibition but there is more pure-gold braid, brocade, cloth of gold and silver and casually tacked-on emeralds, rubies and pearls than you could shake a stick at.
In the V&A’s costume court, this flamboyant show is deeply satisfying. Even better, every garment is for a man. No flounces, just the glorious swagger of Russian men who knew that life does not get better than an embroidered coat and waistcoat with buttoned breeches or a general’s uniform made to one’s own design, worn at one’s own coronation — ideally (as in the case of Nicholas II) beneath a 13kg coronation mantle to which 2,691 ermines devoted their tails.
For these… are the tsars.
From tiny Philip II, who reigned for three years, dying from smallpox on the morning of his wedding to Princess Ekaterina Dolgorukaya, to hapless Nicholas II in pure gold and gem-scattered fancy dress in 1903 at probably the most lavish ball ever held, tales of Tchaikovsky-sized sadness and madness are woven into these clothes. Yet the cut and cloth is pure French.
Scorning its own national styles, from 1727 to 1900 Russia embraced European ones. Young Philip’s slim velvet, or gold-tissue coats, with thickly embroidered cuffs and fine knitted hose, all ape the chicest French style. Most of the precious-metal tissues and silk brocades were imported from famous Lyon weavers.
Later tsars designed themselves military outfits for their coronations, usually taking the rank of general. Paul I, son of Catherine the Great, was crowned in 1796 in a severely sexy grey wool coat with buff breeches of elk skin, plus slim, dashing over-the knee boots and gauntleted kid gloves.
His son, Alexander I, offers a baffling conundrum. Marvel at his tight boots more pointed than winkle-pickers, and slim leather breeches with minute stitching and a complicated front flap that begs to be unbuttoned. Then look at his portrait miniature, done three years later in the same outfit. How ever did that lard-arse get into these breeches, so long before magic knickers?
The show is nicely rounded out with a fine collection of postilions’ jackets, whose short, cropped fit and acres of buttons, tassels and frogging are all one could ever desire from a uniform. Complete with jaunty gold-fringed caps, these tight little garments are the forerunners of modern jockeys’ kit.
Glamour! We have forgotten the meaning of the word.
Until 2 March. Admission £5, concessions available. Information: www.vam.ac.uk.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
