***OPENING***
BLACK BRITISH STYLE
CONTEMPORARY GALLERY
7 OCTOBER - 16 JANUARY 2005
Black British Style is the first exhibition in the UK to explore the style and fashion of black people in Britain and their impact on British culture over the past 50 years. The exhibition focuses on dress, fashion and styling across all aspects of black British culture and life. It looks at black dress from the 1950s, everyday clothes, traditional clothing, Sunday dressing for church, contemporary street style and fashion from black music and dance. A section looks at 'respect' and the importance and meaning of black pride.

Highlights of Black British Style include Mis-Teeq's outfits from their 'Scandalous' single and a selection of trainers from Goldie's private collection; an elegant 'arrival' outfit worn by Dr Beryl Gilroy when she emigrated to Britain in 1952; a 'Free Angela Davis' t-shirt; Jazzy B's outfit for the Back to Life video; traditional African textiles and garments; and clothes and accessories by influential fashion designers Wale Adayame and Joe Casely-Hayford.

Events will include 'Soundscapes: Conversations in Sound and Style' to feature Goldie, Sabrina Washington (Mis-Teeq), Lisa Maffia (So Solid Crew) and more.

ENCOUNTERS: THE MEETING OF ASIA AND EUROPE 1500-1800
23 SEPTEMBER - 5 DECEMBER 2004
The V&A's major autumn exhibition, Encounters: The Meeting of Asia and Europe, brings together a range of fascinating objects from Asia and Europe from the period 1500 -1800 after Europeans first discovered the sea route to the Indies and with it the enduring appeal of the exotic.

On show are more than 200 objects including rare porcelain and spectacular jewel-encrusted caskets made for European princes and collectors along with exquisite miniature paintings. The exhibition displays luxury goods made for the European market such as lacquer, silks, wallpapers and cashmere.

Encounters explores three hundred years of artistic, cultural and technological interaction and exchange between Asia and Europe. The exhibition shows how East and West have always been fascinated with each other, and that the desire for and appeal of the exotic has shaped the material culture of both.

Events include film screenings, talks with Meera Syal and Mike Leigh, an Encounters singles evening, and art, cookery and dance workshops.

CHRISTOPHER DRESSER
9 SEPTEMBER - 5 DECEMBER 2004
Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) was a pioneering designer who helped shape British design over the last century. He is considered the first independent industrial designer, running a studio supplying designs to manufacturers including Wedgwood, Minton and Coalbrookdale. The exhibition examines Dresser's career with displays of silver, metalwork, furniture, ceramics, textiles, wallpaper and watercolours. Dresser's influences included Japanese, Egyptian and Asian art and design as well as abstract pattern based on the scientific study of botany.

Dresser visited Japan in 1876 as the official representative of the V&A and the British Government, exchanging the best examples of European design for their Japanese equivalents. This trip was to transform his designs and he began to reject ornament in favour of form and the qualities of materials. It is this dramatic shift and Dresser's approach towards manufacture that has led him to be considered a pioneer of the aesthetic ideas which have dominated design over the last 100 years.

This exhibition has been organised by the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution in New York.

EVENTS
FRIDAY LATE
BLACK BRITISH STYLE
FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER
18.30 - 22.00
A night celebrating Black music and style to tie in with the major exhibition. With DJ Charlie Dark and live performances and workshops from Blacktronica and others.

CARNIVAL FAMILY DAY
SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER 2004
11.00 - 17.00
A day full of interactive carnival events including costume, make-up and dance workshops, with live steel pan and soca music. The day culminates with a parade of costume highlights from the 2004 Notting Hill Carnival.

FASHION IN MOTION: CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS
SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER 2004
Exclusive catwalk shows at 13.30 and 15.30 in the Raphael gallery - admission free. October's Fashion in Motion at the V&A will show the hottest talents of the Central Saint Martin's graduates of 2004 in two catwalk shows. The shows, taking place in the V&A's beautiful Raphael gallery, will feature fifteen collections designed by the crème de la crème of one of the world's leading fashion schools. The stunning designs were first seen in June this year in the Central St Martins Graduate show. This is the first chance the public will have to see them. This fashion show promises to be an eye-catching blend of colour and fabric as the Stella McCartneys and Alexander McQueens of tomorrow wow the crowds with their stylish collections.

WEDNESDAY LATE
WHO MURDERED CHAUCER?
WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER
19.15 Lecture Theatre
Terry Jones, a former member of Monty Python, and author of several works on the Middle Ages, undertakes an historical murder investigation.

KIDS AT THE V&A
BIG DRAW AT THE V&A
SATURDAY 16 AND SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER
11.00 - 17.00
GETTING INTO SHAPE
For this year's Big Draw, the V&A's theme is 'Getting into Shape'. Put yourself into a stretchy fabric bag and get your new shape drawn on paper. Then turn your outline into an architectural design; students from the Architectural Association will be on hand to help. Alternatively make up a shape story inspired by the shapes of objects from the collections. Watch dancers perform their stretch bag dances. On Sunday 17 October, at 14.00 and 16.00 Mark Speight from Children's BBC SMart will be inspiring everyone to think about shape. At 15.00 Anthony Browne, author of the Shape Game, will give a drawing demonstration.
The Big Draw has a simple aim: to get everyone drawing. Now in its fifth year, join hundreds of venues throughout the UK for a nationwide celebration of drawing.

HALF TERM EVENTS
GETTING INTO PRINT
SATURDAY 23 - SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER
11.00 - 13.00 AND 14.00 - 17.00 Lunchroom
Free drop-in event
Create your own print by examining designs from around the world, explore the ways designers like Christopher Dresser gained inspiration from many cultures. Using rubber stamps you will be able to make a design which will be transferred onto a T-shirt for you to keep.

ACTIVITY BACK-PACKS
EVERY SATURDAY 10.30-17.00
Children can hoist a Back-Pack on their shoulders and embark upon an adventure across the Museum. Back-Pack tours are full of exciting hands-on activities related to the collections. There are eight Back-Packs to choose from: Chinese Treasures, Metal Detector, The Explorer, The Antique Detective, Magic Glasses, Fancy Furnishings, Murder Mystery and The Emperor's Party. Activities can last 30-45 minutes. For children aged 5-12 years.

THE ACTIVITY CART
EVERY SUNDAY 10.30 -17.00
Explore the Museum's collections through drawing and making activities. The Activity Cart is sited in a different gallery each weekend. Loaded with a huge variety of activities ranging from making mosaics in the Sculpture Gallery to designing a kimono in the Japanese Gallery. Activities are suitable for children aged 3 to 12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

GENERAL INFORMATION
FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL
The V&A is open daily 10am - 5.45pm and until 10pm on Wednesdays and the last Friday of the month. The nearest underground station is South Kensington (Piccadilly, District and Circle lines). For general information call 020 7942 2000. Website: http://www.vam.ac.uk

OTHER V&A MUSEUMS
MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD AT BETHNAL GREEN
MUST-HAVE TOYS
23 OCTOBER - 9 JANUARY 2005
The ultimate exhibition of the most sought-after toys from the last century. Discover how film and television have influenced the toy industry and the emergence of merchandising. From Star Wars to Harry Potter, from Bionic Woman to Bionicles, from Meccano to K'Nex, and from Care Bears to Furby, Must-Have Toys is the most comprehensive collection of desirable toys ever seen in the UK.
There is a busy programme of activities and events to coincide with this exhibition.

SINDY'S 40TH BIRTHDAY
UNTIL FEBRUARY 2005
A display highlighting Sindy's story as this iconic doll reaches middle age. A rare opportunity to see how she changed, with examples both past and present.

THEATRE MUSEUM AT COVENT GARDEN
A GREAT NIGHT OUT! - THE MAKING OF THE WEST END 1843 - 2010 THROUGHOUT 2004 & 2005 A mini-exhibition charting the history of London's West End with models of theatres from Victorian times to today including new plans for Cameron Mackintosh theatres.