Victoria and Albert Museum

The hot, humid conditions of West Africa and India in the 1940s were likely incomparable to anything many of us have ever experienced, even during British ‘summers’, and surviving them comfortably is largely thanks to architectural style which developed throughout the era. The V&A’s Porter Gallery, accessible via the Cromwell Road entrance, will transport us through a world of Tropical Modernism, which truly emerged after independence was granted in India and Ghana, when the nations wanted to begin distinguishing themselves from colonial culture. The collection includes illustrations and photography to demonstrate this architectural symbol of modernity and progress, with thanks to scholars, architects and filmmakers, and it sure looks worth a visit.

This city-wide celebration of all things crafty is back in May for its tenth year, and the V&A are a major venue set to be hosting some events and workshops. The Craft Symposium will feature panel discussions and keynote speeches from craft-industry experts at the Hochhauser Auditorium, and there’ll also be a talk by curator Christien Meindertsma. Professional weaver Caron Penney and master embroiderer José Luis Sánchez Expósito will be leading some maker demonstrations on their respective mediums. How crafty.

In partnership with Gucci, the V&A will be showcasing a stunning follow-up from the Tate Modern’s 2016 exhibition, ‘The Radical Eye’. Meandering through the decades from 1950 up until the present day, visitors will be presented with an unmatched collection of more than 300 rare prints by over 140 photographers, including Cindy Sherman, known for her striking self-portraits, and Robert Mapplethorpe, famed for his black and white still-life and nude studies. Each item is on loan from Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s private collection, marking their 30 years of collecting.

Few have worked with as many designers, publications and photographers in the fashion industry as model and activist, the legendary Naomi Campbell. And now, the V&A has created a dazzling exhibition to delve into this icon’s 40-year career, which she has collaborated with. Campbell’s haute couture wardrobe, as well as loans from designer archives and the V&A’s own collection, will be on display, and there’s a photography installation curated by Edward Enninful OBE, former editor of British Vogue.

The V&A is home to an extensive collection of Islamic art (which the institution began collecting way back in the 1850s) but this prestigious award, which was established in 2009, celebrates contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition. It’s open to designers from any age group or from any ethnic, religious or cultural background and the finalists’ work (selected by a jury) will be displayed in this winter exhibition. Previous winners include artist Mehdi Moutashar and architect Marina Tabassam, who won Jameel Prize 5, and Jameel Prize 4 was won by Ghulum Mohammad for his works of paper collage. Film, video, installation and new tech are the mediums that are focussed on, but that could be anything from animation to virtual reality – pretty exciting, right?