In the same week that she turned 50, Madonna took to the stage last week in knee-high boots, fishnet tights, and an obscenely high-cut leotard.

Despite clocking up half a century, her choice of stage costumes would still make the youngest and most nubile of stars' eyes water, proof that it takes a lot more than age and the passing of time to temper Madonna's hunger for controversial outfits.

And now, in a new exhibition showcasing the largest collection of Madonna's stage and film costumes and personal items, Madonna's colourful sartorial history will be on show, allowing fans to chart her meteoric rise to superstardom outfit by outrageous outfit.

Raunchy: Madonna in her Sticky Fingers tour at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium last week

Her inimitable mix of raunchy bespoke pieces and highly styled slick designer garb has been a constant since the Material Girl burst on to the scene in 1983 with her self-titled album.

Since then she's undergone myriad stage reinventions, from the Catholic girl-gone-bad of Papa Don't Preach; the conical-cupped corseted blonde of Blonde Ambition; the denim-clad, pony-tailed all-American girl from Music and the floral tea-dress wearing author of children's books.

Madonna, left, on her Material Girl tour in 1983 and right, the actual dress worn by Madonna in the tour will be on show at the Madonna exhibition

She has starred in 22 movies, some of which have been a success - Desperately Seeking Susan became a cult classic, while Evita won Madge a Golden Globe and A League Of Their Own was a hit in its own way - and some of which have been critically panned (remember Body of Evidence or Swept Away?), but all of which have been accompanied by a lavish wardrobe.

Pink ambition: Madonna's pink evening gown from the Material Girl tour will be part of the exhibition

Evita, especially, will have the hearts of fashion fans pumping, as dozens of items from the film, including a beaded tea-dress still bearing a label with Madonna's name stitched into it - have been carefully preserved and are now to be put on show.

Whether it's provoking opposition from the Pope at the Vatican, posing in bondage gear in the explicit book Sex in 1992 or performing high kicks in one of her famous bespoke bustiers, the clothing, accessories and relics salvaged from every episode of Madonna's life and career tell a tale.

Left, a signed page from a first edition copy of Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses. Right, a signed page from a first edition copy of Madonna's children's book Lotsa de Casha

There are also never-before-seen items worn by Madonna off-stage.

A favourite cap from her time at the University of Michigan, bearing Madonna's signature on the peak; a set of pearl bracelets and necklaces she wore throughout the Eighties.

One of the more personal exhibits is a gold and emerald cross given to Madonna by James Albright, who worked as a security guard for the star in 1992.

She is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Albright over his decision to make public love letters she apparently wrote to him during their relationship, but in happier times, the pair dated for two years, when Albright had the bespoke cross, crafted in gold with six emeralds, designed for Madonna. 

A personal cheque signed by Madonna, made out to the singer's beauty therapist for a waxing treatment

There's other, more diverse paraphernalia too.

A personal cheque for $129.05 signed by Madonna Ciccone and made out to beautician Simone Sable for the singer's waxing appointment.

A first edition of one of Madonna's self-penned children's books, Lotsa de Casha, signed "Love Madonna, and a signed first edition of Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses.

Stage costumes from Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour, 1992, styled by her brother, Christoper Ciccone

Bowler hat, signed by Madonna, worn on the Blonde Ambition tour and donated by  to the Elton John Aids Foundation. Right, pink stetson, worn by Madonna for a private nightclub appearance in New York (pictured below)

Left, Madonna in 1992 film A League Of Their Own, and right, the dress worn by Madonna in the film

Jean Paul Gaultier bustier with gold tassels worn by Madonna in the 1986 Open Your Heart video and for the Who's That Girl tour

Left, Madonna receiving the award given to her in 1991 for the single Vogue; right, the award will appear alongside the photograph in the exhibition

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Left, choreography instructions written by Madonna for Borderline, Like A Virgin, Lucky Star and Burning Up. Right, lyrics to an unknown song never published by Madonna

A tour poster for Madonna's 2004 Reinvention tour shows her wearing a vintage gold bolero that she would go on to wear in much of the promotional material for the tour and Reinvention album

Left, promotional poster for Madonna's 2004 Reinvention album, again wearing the gold bolero. Right, the flared-sleeve vintage bolero in the exhibition

Billboard in New York's Times Square showing Madonna wearing the vintage gold bolero

"This collection represents every stage of her glittering career," says curator Ted Owen.

"These are museum-quality pieces - but they will be presented in keeping with the glamour and sense of theatre that the queen of pop has made her trademark - and Madonna fans should be very excited indeed."

Madonna fan and expert James Harknett will add to the exhibition with items from his own vast collection of Madonna memorabilia, including costumes and props from Evita, promotional material from around the globe, magazines, store displays and posters.

The exhibition, Owen says, is an unprecedented collection of Madonna memorabilia.

Simply Madonna: Materials of the Girl. the world's largest collection of Madonna's stage and film costumes and artefacts.

Old Truman Brewery, London. 21 February - 22 March 2009