Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) has already been the subject of museum exhibitions: In Paris, the Grand Palais dedicated a retrospective to her in 2008, and 11 years later, the Conciergerie explored the fetishization of this historical figure. But the British are offering a unique perspective that would not necessarily be taken in France. Considering the queen from the standpoint of style and setting aside her political role is precisely what the Victoria and Albert Museum in London have set out to do with the aptly named "Marie Antoinette Style" exhibition (which runs from September 20 to March 22, 2026).

This approach may seem superficial − even trivial − but in reality, it has proven more insightful than one might think. By choosing to explore Marie Antoinette's tastes, curator Sarah Grant, an 18^th-century specialist, has revealed a more intimate side of the fallen monarch. The chronological display of 250 garments and objects, described and contextualized with nuanced labels, paints the portrait of a woman who inspires empathy but without slipping into hagiography.

The first gallery is a feast for the eyes, featuring the various outfits Marie Antoinette wore at court, standing upright – in perfect condition – though, given their age, it would be safer for them to be displayed lying down. The stunning robes à la française (French dresses) with their wide, angular skirts, were cut from shiny, floral silks; the supposedly more understated robes à l'anglaise (English dresses) or robes à la polonaise (Polish dresses) − all worn in the 18^th century − catch the eye with hypnotic swirling trains or lavish embroidery.

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