The Wick List

Viewing the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse

The Wick Culture - Bowie applying makeup as Ziggy Stardust. Photo by Mick Rock, 1973. © Mick Rock

Above Bowie applying makeup as Ziggy Stardust. Photo by Mick Rock, 1973. © Mick Rock

The Wick Culture - An acoustic guitar and case used by Bowie on
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and
Let’s Dance. Image Harptone 12-string
acoustic guitar and case used by David Bowie
on Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from
Mars and Let's Dance, ca.1970. Image
courtesy of the V&A.

Above An acoustic guitar and case used by Bowie on Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Let’s Dance. Image Harptone 12-string acoustic guitar and case used by David Bowie on Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Let’s Dance, ca.1970. Image courtesy of the V&A.

The Wick Culture - Lithograph of 1988 painting Self-portrait (Mustique), by David Bowie, 2002. © The David Bowie ArchiveTM

Above Lithograph of 1988 painting Self-portrait (Mustique), by David Bowie, 2002. © The David Bowie ArchiveTM

The Wick Culture - Replica of the 'Tokyo Pop' jumpsuit made by
Kansai Yamamoto and worn by David Bowie
as Ziggy Stardust on the Ziggy Stardust
Tour, made ca. 2013. Image courtesy of the
V&A.

Above Replica of the ‘Tokyo Pop’ jumpsuit made by Kansai Yamamoto and worn by David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust on the Ziggy Stardust Tour, made ca. 2013. Image courtesy of the V&A.

The Wick Culture - The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo by David Parry, PA Media Assignments.

Above The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo by David Parry, PA Media Assignments.

The Wick Culture - The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. David Parry, PA Media Assignments.

Above The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. David Parry, PA Media Assignments.

Above Bowie applying makeup as Ziggy Stardust. Photo by Mick Rock, 1973. © Mick Rock

Above Lithograph of 1988 painting Self-portrait (Mustique), by David Bowie, 2002. © The David Bowie ArchiveTM

Above Replica of the ‘Tokyo Pop’ jumpsuit made by Kansai Yamamoto and worn by David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust on the Ziggy Stardust Tour, made ca. 2013. Image courtesy of the V&A.

Above The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. Photo by David Parry, PA Media Assignments.

Above The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. David Parry, PA Media Assignments.

David Bowie Centre

V&A East Storehouse

Another free cultural offering from the V&A, the David Bowie Centre is the V&A East Storehouse’s newly opened home for Bowie’s archive. The centre hosts small displays by guest-curators offering new and personal perspectives on Bowie’s life and work: the first is a series of objects and items selected by Bowie collaborator Nile Rodgers, and Brit-Award-winning indie rock band, The Last Dinner Party.

This show is one for fans of Bowie’s music and fashion, with handwritten lyrics and instruments Bowie played and performed with throughout his career as well as the outfits that made him so utterly unique: such as the frock coat designed for Bowie to wear to his 50th birthday by Alexander McQueen, the Yamamoto Ziggy Stardust jumpsuit that became synonymous with Bowie’s unique style.

Incredibly, the archive contains more than 80,000 items in all – including 414 costumes and accessories and nearly 150 musical instruments, as well as objects, props and scenery for concerts, film and theatre, and even Bowie’s own desk, and fan mail. As Bowie himself once said: “I’m an instant star. Just add water and stir”.