National Gallery of Victoria Tickets: 2025-26 Westwood | Kawakubo Exhibition, Melbourne
National Gallery of Victoria Tickets: 2025-26 Westwood | Kawakubo Exhibition, Melbourne
Duration: 4 hours
4 hours
Visit anytime until 19 Apr, 2026 without worrying about committing to a date today
Visit anytime until 19 Apr, 2026 without worrying about committing to a date today
Get your booking confirmed instantly
Get your booking confirmed instantly
Experience two groundbreaking fashion revolutions at Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria with this unique exhibition featuring Vivienne Westwood’s punk provocations and Rei Kawakubo’s radical abstractions, presented in a world-first showcase. Your journey begins at NGV International on St Kilda Road where you'll start by checking in at the ground-floor desk to scan your ticket before exploring dimly lit galleries that highlight textures, seams, and soundtracks through theatrical elements like spotlighted mannequins and film projections. Convenient amenities such as a cloakroom and toilets are located nearby for quick stops between gallery visits.
Experience two groundbreaking fashion revolutions at Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria with this unique exhibition featuring Vivienne Westwood’s punk provocations and Rei Kawakubo’s radical abstractions, presented in a world-first showcase. Your journey begins at NGV International on St Kilda Road where you'll start by checking in at the ground-floor desk to scan your ticket before exploring dimly lit galleries that highlight textures, seams, and soundtracks through theatrical elements like spotlighted mannequins and film projections. Convenient amenities such as a cloakroom and toilets are located nearby for quick stops between gallery visits.
NGV International offers a full-day pass to its groundbreaking Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition, showcasing an unprecedented conversation between two fashion legends.
Featuring over 140 unique works and including 40 runway pieces generously donated by Rei Kawakubo, this exhibit is not to be missed.
Witness the dynamic interplay of Vivienne Westwood’s silk ballgowns with Rei Kawakubo's vinyl deconstructions; corsets juxtaposed against sculptural voids in a gallery experience reminiscent of an opera unfolding over five acts.
Get up close and personal with iconic fashion pieces, such as Kate Moss’s tartan gown, Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sex and the City wedding dress, Naomi Campbell’s platforms, and Rihanna’s 2017 Met Gala ensemble.
The exhibition extends beyond clothing to encompass film, photography, and archival materials that explore the cultural revolutions embedded within each design.
Admission ticket for the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International)
Access to Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition (7 Dec 25 to 19 Apr 26) featuring works by British designer Vivienne Westwood and Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo
Entry to permanent collection with over 75,000 artworks
Admission to free exhibitions and guided tours (e.g., Escher X nendo A House for Escher, Lee Bul Untitled, Another other: The Photo-Politics of Gary Lee Artist Room)
Use of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) between 6pm to 10pm
Unlimited access to Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition (7 Dec 25 to 19 Apr 26) featuring works by British designer Vivienne Westwood and Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo
Inclusion in live DJ performances
Admission Fees for Other Exhibits
Food and Beverages
Collage of fashion elements with text 'Westwood Kawakubo' at NGV exhibition.
Your Experience
This exhibition marks a unique convergence of two fashion revolutions: Vivienne Westwood’s punk provocations alongside Rei Kawakubo’s radical abstractions. Located at NGV International on St Kilda Road, it's the first to showcase these iconic styles together.
Getting Started
Your journey begins by checking in at the ground-floor exhibition desk of NGV International and scanning your ticket. The galleries are dimly lit with spotlighted mannequins and film projections creating a theatrical atmosphere, where textures, seams, and soundtracks stand out vividly. For navigation assistance, you can pick up a printed map or download NGV’s sensory guide available nearby; the cloakroom and toilets are conveniently located for quick breaks between galleries.
What to Expect
The exhibition is organized into five themed galleries: Punk and Provocation, Rupture, Reinvention, The Body, and The Power of Clothes. Here, garments, photographs, and runway films engage in a dynamic conversation. Notable pieces include Westwood’s tartan gown and corseted wedding dress, alongside Kawakubo’s sculptural petal dress (Rihanna's Met Gala look). Look out for close-reading points, short film loops, and bench seating between rooms. Staff are available to manage accessibility services, enforce preservation rules with no-touch policies, and suggest quieter routes if crowds become a concern.
Features
- The exhibition boasts over 140 garments and archives from NGV’s collection as well as global institutions, complemented by rare pieces from private lenders.
- A special highlight includes 40 runway looks donated by Rei Kawakubo, featuring Rihanna's sculptural Met Gala dress.
- Iconic pop-culture figures are represented with items such as Kate Moss’s tartan gown, Sarah Jessica Parker’s corseted dress, and Naomi Campbell’s infamous heels on display.
- The five thematic galleries form a cinematic narrative that contrasts rebellion with abstraction, allowing ideas to merge within the space.
- Engaging storytelling is achieved through runway footage, archival film, and atmospheric staging that enriches understanding beyond just the clothes themselves.
Mannequin in avant-garde red and pink dress by Kawakubo at NGV Westwood exhibition.
Kawakubo design with child portrait at NGV Westwood exhibition.
Collage of fashion elements with text 'Westwood Kawakubo' at NGV exhibition.
Mannequin in avant-garde red and pink dress by Kawakubo at NGV Westwood exhibition.
Kawakubo design with child portrait at NGV Westwood exhibition.
Mannequin in orange Vivienne Westwood outfit with hat at NGV exhibition.
What to bring
- A valid photo ID matching your booking name may be required at entry, so have it ready if needed.
- You might want a water bottle since refill stations are provided on the premises for convenience.
Wear comfortable attire suitable for walking and standing as you'll likely explore the galleries for several hours.
What’s not allowed
- Larger bags, suitcases, or any oversized luggage are prohibited inside the gallery due to security protocols.
- The exhibition spaces do not permit food and drinks of any kind.
- Pets cannot enter except for service animals that have been registered appropriately.
- Flash photography, tripods, and filming equipment are banned within the exhibit areas.
No smoking or use of e-cigarettes is allowed on gallery grounds.
Accessibility
- The National Gallery of Victoria offers full wheelchair access with ramps and elevators throughout its facilities.
- Restrooms designed for accessibility are available onsite to accommodate all visitors.
If you require mobility assistance, gallery staff can provide support upon request.
Additional information
- The doors will be open from 7 December 2025 until 19 April 2026. Arriving at least 15 minutes early is recommended to facilitate check-in and minimize waiting times.
- Your admission grants you entry to the NGV’s permanent collection as well as free exhibitions, though some special exhibits may have an extra charge.
- Children are admitted without a fee; however, adults and concession holders might need to pay for specific exhibitions.
- The gallery operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm but is closed on Mondays.
- Federation Square houses the NGV, making it easily reachable by public transport options.
- Meals and refreshments are not part of your ticket; however, onsite cafes offer food for purchase.
- To avoid crowds, consider visiting during weekdays as weekends and holidays tend to be busier.
The exhibition features works that have been borrowed or donated. Please respect display barriers by refraining from touching the art pieces to ensure their preservation.
Model in tartan dress holding flowers at Westwood | Kawakubo Exhibition, NGV.
Tourists outside National Gallery of Victoria, enjoying garden view before 3-course lunch.
Mannequin in orange Vivienne Westwood outfit with hat at NGV exhibition.
Model in tartan dress holding flowers at Westwood | Kawakubo Exhibition, NGV.
Tourists outside National Gallery of Victoria, enjoying garden view before 3-course lunch.
Book your entry ticket in advance if visiting during peak times to ensure availability for the Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition from 7 Dec 25 to 19 Apr 26.
Dress comfortably and bring a water bottle, as you'll likely spend several hours exploring multiple galleries at NGV International.
Arrive prepared with a valid photo ID matching the name on your booking in case it's requested upon entry for smoother access to exhibitions.
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