HUNGER’s top ten cultural events to bookmark this year

The must-see fashion and art exhibitions to new film releases to get excited about in 2k19. 

It’s time to bid farewell to 2018 and welcome a fresh new year full of iconic exhibitions, new film releases and even more star-studded red carpets (two words: Met Gala). From Balenciaga’s 100 year anniversary to a third season of Stranger Things, 2019 is overflowing with cultural dates for your new calendar; so we’ve navigated our way through and created a list of the top ten just for you…

2nd February: Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams opens at the V&A

 

Being compared to the legendary Savage Beauty: Alexander McQueen back in 2011, the V&A are opening the UK’s biggest ever exhibition on the House of Dior. It’ll involve 11 different sections, intricately presenting a timeline of Dior’s haute couture craftsmanship since 1947, showing famous pieces like Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday dress, among other major references to Dior’s devotion to British royalty.

Get tickets here.

7th March: Only Human: Photographs by Martin Parr opens at the National Portrait Gallery

He’s the Brit photographer famous for making ordinary scenarios look intriguingly artistic, Martin Parr will be exhibiting his work at the National Portrait Gallery in March. There will even be some work that has never been shown, exploring our current era of Brexit- it’s a portrayal of Parr’s biggest muse: people.

Get tickets here.

27th March: The EY exhibition: Vincent Van Gogh and Britain opens at the Tate Britain

Well-timed following the biographical At Eternity’s Gate released earlier this year, a Van Gogh exhibition is coming to the Tate Britain. The Dutch post-impressionist painter, who famously cut off his ear, is one of the most famous artists in the world. There will be 45 Van Gogh works on display- the biggest collection presented in the UK for nearly a decade.

Get tickets here.

 

 

6th April: Mary Quant opens at the V&A

Mary Quant is the fashion designer known for hot pants and mini-skirts, and those pinafore dresses that defined the 60s. From being the first designer to use PVC to having Twiggy religiously model her designs, this exhibition will display over 200 Mary Quant garments and accessories, including some from her own personal archive.

Get tickets here.

 

6th May: The ‘Camp’ Met Gala

Every year on the first Monday in May, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts fashion’s biggest night out: the Met Gala. Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, Serena Williams and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele have all been announced as the co-chairmen for Anna Wintour’s famed fundraising event. Themed ‘camp’, taken from the 1964 Susan Sontag essay describing “love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.” – it’s looking like the most flamboyant one yet.

27th May: Spice Girls Reunion Tour Starts

Britain’s biggest girl band are reuniting to spice up your life. The Spice Girls are spreading ‘People Power’ (no longer just for girls) across the UK and Ireland with eight concert dates set through to the 15th June. They’ve lost Posh spice as she sticks to her fashion label but Jess Glynne will be there.

Get tickets here. 

19th July: The Lion King

It’s the Disney classic that has a place in everyone’s hearts: The Lion King is back. Although avid fans are speculating that the story won’t be able to uphold its status, whilst also worrying about the stress of seeing Mufusa’s tragic death in HD. If the cast is anything to go by, it’s sure to break the box office, with Beyoncé as Nala, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Donald Glover as Simba and the original voice of Mufasa (James Earl Jones) from 1994. Watch the teaser trailer above.

26th July: Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

Any film Quentin Tarantino releases is a huge deal. He’s Hollywood’s maverick with his eight masterpieces all subtly connected, known for his intelligently gritty, and long, movies. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood isn’t looking to disappoint with an exciting cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, James Marsden, Damian Lewis and Uma Thurman’s daughter Maya Hawke. Tarantino describes the 60s endeavour as “at the height of hippie Hollywood.” Expect lots of suede, Brigitte Bardot glamour and roll necks.

21st September: Tim Walker opens at the V&A

Regularly shooting other-worldly editorials for Vogue and having done the Alice in Wonderland fantasy 2018 Pirelli calendar, British fashion photographer Tim Walker is bringing his magic to the V&A. There’ll be a range of photographs, films and unique installations on display, including some exclusives inspired by the V&A’s collections.

4th October: Into the Night: Cabarets and Clubs in Modern Art opens at the Barbican

Cabaret celebrates fashion design, writers, music and art- and of course, nights of drinking and dancing. The Barbican is going to exhibit the history of cabarets and clubs, adding some sparkle to those grey wintery months and exploring the 1880s through to the 1960s. There’ll be drawings, paintings, photographs and archival films – bringing the captivating global history of cabaret all to one place in East London.

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Sadie Bargeron
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Yves Saint Laurent in front of Christian Dior London, 11th November 1958. © Popperfoto, Getty Images. Courtesy of the V&A, used by permission.