Exhibition
The Music Is Black: A British Story
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Kim Appleby: A Life in Music, Movement & Fashion (Livestream)
Kim Appleby, one half of 80s pop music sibling duo Mel & Kim and formerly styled by the late Isabella Blow explores the ‘construction’ of a musical image.
1980s hit-making duo Mel & Kim, with top-ten tracks such as Respectable and Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend). Over the decades since, her career has continued to flourish, including most recently as co-host of BBC4’s Smashing Hits! The 80s Pop Map.
Join Kim in conversation with Christine Checinska, the V&A’s Senior Curator, Africa & Disapora: Textiles & Fashion, for a look at her life through music, movement, and fashion – including discussion of how Mel & Kim’s unique sartorial identity was forged, and her recollections in later years of being styled by Isabella Blow.
This talk is one of a series held in advance of the opening of V&A East Museum, the V&A’s newest member of our family of sites, which opens in Spring 2026 with the exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story.
This talk will be held on Zoom and all ticketholders will receive a link to view the morning of the event. It will also be recorded for those not able to join live.
This talk will be held on Zoom and all ticketholders will receive a link to view the morning of the event. It will also be recorded for those not able to join live.
