Everything you need to know about The 90s: Art and Fashion at Tate Britain

The 90s were a formidable time in the world of art and fashion, where self-expression and conformity collided to create a new visual language. From art and photography to fashion, music and design, the decade saw creative boundaries being pushed and long-held hierarchies beginning to break down.

The 90s: Art and Fashion explores how the decade changed British culture through the eyes of Edward Enninful OBE, whose lived experience of the era informs this specially curated exhibition.

Here’s everything we know so far – check back after Tuesday 6 October for our first look at the exhibition.

What to expect from The 90s: Art and Fashion London exhibition

Iconic 90s photography

In a world before smartphones, the camera lens offered a window into a rapidly changing Britain. The 90s: Art and Fashion brings together iconic photography from the decade, capturing the attitude and energy of post-recession Britain, where optimism, freedom and rebellion fuelled a new creative movement.

Expect to see work by photographers including Juergen Teller, whose Young Pink Kate (1998) captured a sense of youth and vulnerability that became synonymous with the era. His work appears alongside other influential photographers including David Sims and Corinne Day.

The artists defining a decade

In the 90s, the boundaries between high art and popular culture became increasingly blurred, making this one of the exhibition’s central themes.

The exhibition brings together work by artists including Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Yinka Shonibare, exploring the creative energy that emerged during the decade and the changing relationship between art and wider popular culture.

90s fashion and design

Perhaps one of the most defining features of the era was its fashion. From low-rise jeans and graphic tees to everything in between, what you wore was a way to show who you were. Whether you were channelling your inner riot grrrl or embracing the pop power aesthetic, there was plenty of room for self-expression.

Fashion has always been an art form in its own right, with creators including Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano exploring different mediums and pushing the boundaries of what fashion could be. Clothing became part of a much wider cultural conversation, with designers using it to challenge conventions, make statements and express identity.

The curator: Edward Enninful's vision of the 90s

The exhibition is curated by Edward Enninful OBE, whose own experience of the decade informs this exploration of its cultural legacy.

Rather than simply telling us what the 90s looked like, we hope to see Enninful give the exhibition a more personal lens through which to explore the people, creativity and cultural shifts that defined the period.

How do you define an era in one exhibition? It’s a seemingly impossible task, but The 90s: Art and Fashion sets out to capture the energy, experimentation and creative freedom of a decade whose influence is still being felt today.

How to visit The 90s: Art and Fashion at Tate Britain

The 90s: Art and Fashion at Tate Britain will be showing from Thursday 8 October 2026 until 14 February 2027.

Tickets for The 90s: Art and Fashion are available online. They cost £22 per person or are free for Tate members. Those aged between 16 and 25 can bag tickets for just £5 as part of Tate Collective.

How to get there:

Tate Britain is located in Millbank on the river Thames, with the nearest Tube station being Pimlico on the Victoria line.