The V&A East Storehouse has opened the doors to the world’s first David Bowie Centre, offering unprecedented free access to the complete archive of one of Britain’s most influential cultural icons. Located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the new facility represents a groundbreaking approach to making celebrity archives accessible to the public.
Opening on September 13, the David Bowie Centre marks the first time Bowie’s complete 90,000-item archive has been made available for public consultation. The facility operates as both a working archive and visitor attraction, allowing anyone to book one-on-one appointments to examine specific items from Bowie’s collection through the innovative “Order an Object” service.
Unprecedented Public Access
Within the first week of launching appointment bookings, over 500 items have been requested by members of the public. The most popular object is a frockcoat designed by Alexander McQueen and David Bowie for the star’s 50th birthday concert in 1997, demonstrating immediate public enthusiasm for accessing these previously private materials.
The centre’s approach breaks new ground in archive accessibility. Visitors can book up to five 3D objects per visit – including costumes, musical instruments, models, and props – while paper-based materials like sketches, lyrics, and correspondence can be consulted through advance appointments with the V&A Archives team.
Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, emphasized the significance of the project: “One of the greatest performers, musicians, artists and innovators of all time, David Bowie’s impact continues to reverberate nearly a decade after his death. We are thrilled to care for Bowie’s incredible archive, revealing new insights into his creativity and legacy.”
Never-Before-Seen Revelations
The centre’s nine rotating mini-displays feature approximately 200 highlights from the archive, including several major discoveries. Most notably, the displays reveal “The Spectator,” an unrealized musical that Bowie was developing until his death in 2016. Set in 18th-century London, the musical would have opened with the real-life public execution of notorious criminal Jack Sheppard on November 16, 1724.
Dr Madeleine Haddon, Curator at V&A East, explained the project’s significance: “Discovered in Bowie’s office after his untimely passing was The Spectator – a musical set in 18th century London. Bowie researched artists, writers, queer communities, criminals and public executions for the project to illustrate a London society on the cusp of modernity.”
Other revelations include Bowie’s first instrument – a saxophone bought by his father in the early 1960s, an unseen Ziggy Stardust-era guitar, and Jim Henson-designed life-size puppets of Bowie’s personas created for a music video that was never released.
From Ziggy to Blackstar
The archive spans Bowie’s entire career, from his earliest work to his final projects. Items from his last albums, “The Next Day” (2013) and “Blackstar” (2016), are available for viewing, including costumes, props, and Bowie’s own sketches and artwork that have never been displayed publicly before.
The centre also houses twenty of Bowie’s most iconic costumes hanging overhead in special storage bags, ranging from Freddie Burretti’s Ziggy Stardust looks to his 1992 Thierry Mugler wedding suit.
A London Cultural Landmark
The David Bowie Centre forms part of East Bank, London’s newest cultural quarter built on the site of the 2012 Olympics. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan praised the development: “The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is amazing. It’s a must see for fans of David Bowie. For the very first time, this immense collection is available for the public – and it’s free.”
The centre’s design by architecture company IDK reflects Bowie’s own creative methodology of “cutting up and rearranging ideas,” bringing together different elements to form something new and surprising.
Collaborative Curation
The displays include selections curated by notable figures from the music world, including Nile Rodgers and The Last Dinner Party, adding contemporary perspectives to the historical archive. An interactive installation called “The Library of Connections” traces Bowie’s widespread influence on popular culture, from the sitcom “Friends” to fashion designers like Issey Miyake and musicians including Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, and Kendrick Lamar.
Making History Accessible
The David Bowie Archive was acquired by the V&A through the generosity of the David Bowie Estate, Blavatnik Family Foundation, and Warner Music Group. Sir Leonard Blavatnik, founder of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, noted: “We’re proud to support the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse, honouring a timeless cultural icon.”
Access to the David Bowie Centre is free but requires advance booking, with new tickets released every six weeks. The facility operates seven days a week, with extended hours on Thursdays and Saturdays until 22:00.
The centre represents a new model for celebrity archives, moving beyond traditional museum displays to offer direct, personal engagement with cultural history. For London, it adds another world-class cultural destination while honoring one of the city’s most innovative artistic sons.
Bookings and information are available at vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/david-bowie-centre, with both object appointments and general visit tickets requiring at least two weeks’ advance notice.
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