Spice Girls' 1996 memorabilia exhibition opens at Barbican Music Library celebrating 'Cool Britannia'
At London's Barbican Music Library, the exhibition '1996: A Celebration of the Wildest Year of Britain's Wildest Decade—30 Years On' showcases legendary outfits from the Spice Girls' 1990s heyday, running until September 19. Notable pieces include Melanie Brown's leopard-print catsuit from the 1997 Brit Awards, Geri Halliwell's Union Jack boots, and Emma Bunton's blue dress. Curator Dominic Mohan delves into the blend of pop, rock, football, art, and politics of that time. The Spice Girls, formed in 1994 after 400 auditions, launched their record-shattering debut album 'Spice' in November 1996. The exhibition also features a tambourine used by Oasis's Liam Gallagher and a Brit Award.
Key facts
- Exhibition '1996: A Celebration of the Wildest Year of Britain's Wildest Decade—30 Years On' runs through September 19 at Barbican Music Library in London
- Features Melanie Brown's leopard-print catsuit worn at 1997 Brit Awards
- Includes Geri Halliwell's Union Jack platform boots and Emma Bunton's blue dress
- Spice Girls' debut album 'Spice' broke sales records upon November 1996 release
- Group formed after 400 auditions at London's Dancework Studios in 1994
- Exhibition curated by former Sun editor Dominic Mohan
- Also displays tambourine played by Liam Gallagher of Oasis and a Brit Award
- Exhibition examines 1996 as pivotal year for British music, fashion, sports, and art
Entities
Artists
- Melanie Brown
- Geri Halliwell
- Emma Bunton
- Melanie Chisholm
- Victoria Adams
- Victoria Beckham
- Liam Gallagher
- Kathy Acker
- Tara Joshi
- Dominic Mohan
- Michele Debczak
- Mel B
- Noel Gallagher
- Annie Lennox
- Paul Weller
- David Bowie
- Michael Jackson
- Jill Furmanovsky
- Derek Ridgers
Institutions
- Barbican Music Library
- City of London
- Museum of Youth Culture
- Guardian
- Vice
- Sun
- Brit Awards
- History Channel
- Mental Floss
- IndieWire
- Eater
- Smithsonian Magazine
- The Sun
- British Phonographic Industry
- City of London Corporation
- BBC Radio London
- BBC London
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Locations
- London
- Great Britain
- United Kingdom
- Brooklyn
- New York