Even during a general election campaign, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has been one of the biggest headline-grabbers in the UK press and the V&A is hoping to extend the Swift-mania with a special exhibition it’s staging this summer. 

From 27 July, items belonging to the global megastar will be on display at the Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail. This is a free, temporary exhibition with pieces that will include costumes, lyrics, music videos, instruments, awards and storyboards. The show will include items that explore her childhood that have never been seen before.

“We are delighted to be able to display a range of iconic looks worn by Taylor Swift at the V&A this summer,” said Kate Bailey, senior curator of theatre and performance.

There will be 13 stops on the trail, each focusing on a particular era of Swift’s music.

The archive pieces include customised cowboy boots from 2007 as well as more recent items like a black ruffled dress seen in her latest video.

The trail will look at her personal world and creativity, the Swiftie fan phenomenon and her wider impact as a musician and celebrity.

The exhibition has been designed by Tom Piper, known for his previous V&A exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, the Tower of London poppies installation, and stage designs for the Royal Shakespeare Company.