Spice Girls’ Outfits Take Center Stage in ’90s Exhibition

A Nostalgic Celebration of British Pop Culture

Items from the Spice Girls’ iconic 1990s era, including Mel B’s leopard-print catsuit, are featured in a new exhibition titled “Cool Britannia” at London’s Barbican Music Library. The display also highlights Geri Halliwell’s union jack platform boots, Liam Gallagher’s tambourine, and a Brit Award, offering fans a glimpse into the decade’s most memorable moments.

Curated by Dominic Mohan, a former editor of The Sun, the exhibition aims to preserve the unique cultural convergence of the 1990s. It emphasizes the year 1996, a time when music, sports, film, and politics intertwined to shape a defining moment in British history. Key highlights include the Spice Girls’ three chart-topping hits, Oasis’s historic Knebworth concert, and the release of the film *Trainspotting*.

The collection spans a range of memorabilia, from Emma Bunton’s blue dress to photographs by Jill Furmanovsky and Derek Ridgers, capturing bands in action and behind the scenes. Rare artifacts such as previously unseen Oasis items and concert tickets further enrich the display, offering a tangible link to the era’s energy.

“Mel B, now 50, shared her thoughts on the exhibition: ‘This is the perfect time to bring my ’90s leopard catsuit back into the spotlight for everyone to appreciate. The memories, the era, the outfit—it all feels so vivid. This look was as bold and cheeky as I was, embodying the spirit of the decade. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and believe it or not, I can still slip into it.’”

Mohan explained, “It’s exhilarating to have Mel B’s catsuit, Geri’s platform boots, Emma B’s blue dress, Liam’s tambourine, and the Brit Award trophy all sharing the spotlight with a wealth of other remarkable artifacts. My goal was to encapsulate the electrifying era when pop, rock, football, art, dance culture, food, media, and politics merged to create the defining year of Britain’s most vibrant decade.”

The exhibition, running until 19 September, is hosted at the City of London Corporation’s library. For more on BBC Radio London, tune into Sounds. Follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Submit your story suggestions to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk.