LONDON LOVES: Up Close & Personal with David Bowie, at V&A East Storehouse
The V&A East Storehouse opened earlier this year in May 2025, and in September 2025, it attracted even more attention thanks to the opening of the David Bowie Centre,
on Level 2. In this article, we share our experience of the V&A’s incredible new “Order an Object” service at the David Bowie Centre.
Inside the main atrium of the V&A East Storehouse
What is the V&A East Storehouse ?
The V&A East Storehouse is still a new concept for Londoners and visitors alike, as it’s neither gallery or museum - but rather a working museum storehouse. It’s a mammoth sized haven of eclectic, warehouse-style displays of art, design and fashion.
As soon as you enter the main atrium, you will be walking on a metal grid floor - so leave the stilettos at home! In addition to various mini-displays, there is even a conservation overlook glass balcony with a live stream feed, so you can watch the conservation masters at work.
Those who love a sense of adventure and exploration will absolutely love it here. The expansive space is brimming with curious objects, some tiny, many of them extremely large, like a rehoused section of council estate Robin Hood Gardens – a defining example of Brutalist architecture and social housing. Those who prefer curated and careful storytelling may feel slightly lost, although there is a QR system that allows you to look up and learn more about the objects on display.
Regardless of how you may prefer to experience culture, anyone who loves the arts will absolutely be in heaven from the moment they enter. Thankfully, there are plenty of staff on hand to direct you to what you are looking for.
Where is the David Bowie Centre?
The David Bowie Centre is housed on Level 2 of the V&A East Storehouse. When travelling there, we found the wayfinding from the local Hackney Wick station to be excellent, with bright and clear signage all along the short walk.
Although free to enter, before arriving at the V&A East Storehouse, we really recommend booking both your pre-timed ticket for the David Bowie Centre, as well as an Order an Object session, in advance.
Upon arrival, everyone is strictly asked to store bags and coats in a clever and very functional locker system. But it’s not all procedure. Right from the get go, V&A East whets the visitor’s appetite, with a huge textile archive, beautifully displayed right next to the lockers.
An Inspirational Free Dive into the Bowie Archives
The exhibition’s design, by the very talented IDK, is striking. Before you even step inside, the music draws you in, as it rightly should! Working closely with the V&A, IDK’s collective vision was to celebrate Bowie’s life and artistry, while encouraging new research and dialogue about his influence across twentieth-century and contemporary culture.
The Centre’s design is both accessible and experimental, blending permanent and rotating displays with study areas, a learning zone, and a research library.
IDK’s approach takes cues from Bowie’s own way of working, by thoughtfully layering, remixing, and revealing. The exhibition doesn’t ask you to follow a path and isn’t necessarily led by a timeline or story. Rather, Bowie’s artefacts - handwritten lyrics, letters from fellow musicians, stage costumes, sketchbooks, costumes and instruments - are displayed in groups that roughly follow his incredible career, personas and experiences.
This multi-layered environment invites visitors to experience Bowie’s creative world from every angle: not just as observers, but as participants in the ongoing conversation his work continues to inspire. And it works. While there, we noticed a young boy, around 10 years old, wandering around the room, curiously inspecting the display, and humming lyrics to songs written over 40 years ago!
The collection itself is staggering: over 90,000 items spanning his career, from Ziggy Stardust to Blackstar. The space merges archive and performance, blurring the boundary between display and process. It’s part museum, part studio, part stage - a perfect reflection of Bowie’s lifelong play with identity and invention.
Projects like this remind us why cultural spaces matter. They show how design and storytelling can combine to offer something more than just observation, but something participatory and deeply human.
While we weren’t involved in this project, it sits firmly in the realm of work we love: collaborative design that makes culture tangible and accessible for all.
The Learning Zone surrounds the visitor with archives from all sides.
What is the ‘Order an Object’ Service?
Although Greenway Associates have worked with leading museums and galleries for decades, never have we seen something like the Order an Object service at the V&A, where visitors are actively encouraged to get up close and personal with archived objects, in a controlled environment.
Sessions here take place in the “Study Centre” and are primarily for the purposes of research, inspiration or, in this case, a little fandom. Who could resist the chance to get up close with one of Britain’s greatest icons?!
This was all the reason our Marketing Director, Naomi Reid needed to don her best Bowie T-shirt and jump on the Overground to Hackney Wick station, where of course, she met other similarly dressed fans, there for the same reasons.
Getting Up Close with Bowie - Is it Worth it?
In a word, YES! The ‘Order an Object’ service allows you to spend one-on-one time in a controlled environment with objects you have previously ordered through the V&A’s online system. This service isn’t limited to the David Bowie Collection or to members - it’s actually offered across a wide section of the V&A’s archives, to all members of the public, and across their various locations. But of course, we were there for Bowie, and we were not disappointed!
Everyone is asked to wash their hands and wear a pair of Nitrile gloves. You are then taken into a large well-lit room, and presented with the objects you have previously selected. You are instructed how to handle them with great care, and a specialist is on site to assist if necessary, or tell you more about the item. They are also happy to leave you to your own thoughts or research, should you prefer.
We got to feel and touch a variety of suits, shirts, shoes, macs, jackets and coats, as well as some of the really daring costumes from Bowie’s Ziggy persona. Some of his suits were from Alexander McQueen and Thierry Mugler - the Haute Couture quality clearly visible. It was fascinating to contrast the couture with the costumes, the latter being designed with crudely made, but hidden, straps, hooks, ties and built-in undergarments. We also got to see one of his very large Takamine 12-string guitars, signed by Placebo and other greats. Posters, jewellery, magnets and even a model prop for stage were all on display, just for our private enjoyment.
It’s an extraordinary privilege. Its intimate, emotional, and surprisingly grounding. To be that close to the tools of a legend’s creativity is something not to be forgotten.
The David Bowie Centre opened to the public in September 2025 at V&A East Storehouse, and entry is free with timed tickets.