Outfits, musical instruments and other objects on loan from US musician Taylor Swift are going on display at London's V&A in a temporary summer exhibition.
Titled Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail, the exhibition is made up of 13 installations dotted across the museum's many galleries.
"It's a journey around the museum," curator Kate Bailey said.
"It follows chapters in Taylor Swift's career and we highlight the eras and showcase objects and looks worn by Taylor across the different spaces in the museum."
The cowboy boots worn by Taylor swift on her Soul2Soul II tour displayed at the V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum in London (Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Bailey and her team were given access to Swift's personal archives to pick items for the theatrically staged installations, which are placed in carefully chosen galleries that connect to moments in the 14-time Grammy winner's career.
Among the objects on show are customised cowboy boots worn by a young Swift at the start of her career; the wig and facial hair she sported in The Man music video; reproductions of the hand-drawn storyboards for the Willow music video and a golden microphone with snake detail used by Swift, now 34, on the Reputation stadium tour.
Also on display are the ukulele played by Swift on the Speak Now world tour and the fisherman cap she wore on the Red (Taylor's Version) album cover.
"It's been a really fast-moving project, where I got to select works from the collection," said Bailey. "I wanted to make sure that we were able to showcase costumes, but also musical instruments, objects that kind of convey her whole career and creativity."
A gown worn by Taylor Swift for the premiere of the film 'The Eras Tour' (Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
"It's the first time we've done a trail in this way. And it's the first time these objects have been seen in the UK. So, it's incredibly exciting and it's free."
Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail is displayed throughout the V&A South Kensington from June 27 to September 8. According to the museum the trail takes 60-90 minutes to complete. (Reuters)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.