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Tickets have just gone on sale for the V&A's amazing Frida Kahlo show

Written by
Rosemary Waugh
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Even if you can’t name a single one of her artworks, chances are you know what Frida Kahlo looked like. The Mexican artist - played by Salma Hayek in the film biopic - is famous for her iconic uniform of lushly coloured dresses, elaborate shawls and a monobrow, partly because of her fondness for creating self-portraits. This summer, the V&A are staging a major exhibition of Frida’s beautiful clothes, Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up (June 16 - November 4). Many of which are pretty much works of art in their own right. Here are some of the highlights:

Mexican Clothes

Fashion was political for Frida, who embraced the sartorial traditions of Mexico and South America to celebrate her cultural identity and the Mexican Revolution. 

© Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.

Make-up

Long before Cara Delevingne made you throw out the tweezers, Frida knew the power of a strong brow. The V&A have got hold of the eyebrow pencil she used - in ‘Ebony’, obvs - along with Revlon lipstick and nail varnish.

© Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.

Medical Aids

Childhood polio and a horrific bus crash left Frida with lifelong medical problems and chronic pain. Included in the exhibition are several surgical corsets and this, a prosthetic leg with a red leather boot and Chinese-inspired embroidery.

© Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.

Muray’s Photos 

Along with her own self-portraits, Frida’s taste in fashion has stayed with us thanks to a series of super-bright photographs taken of her by Nickolas Muray. Check these out and it won't be long before you're plaiting flowers into your own hair.

© Nickolas Muray Photo Archives

Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up, sponsored by Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, opens at the V&A on June 16, and tickets are on sale from March 8. Find out more here

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