Dorothy of Wizard of Oz’ original ruby slippers on display at Victoria and Albert museum

The original ruby slippers will be reunited with Dorothy’s blue and white gingham dress in UK at London's Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum...

12:22 07 October 2012

As part of Hollywood Costume exhibit at London's Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, Dorothy’s original ruby slippers will be on display together with her blue and white gingham dress this month.

 

This is the first time that the original slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz have left the United States. They’re on loan from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington DC. 

 

According to curators, this is the first time since 1939 that Dorothy’s dress and shoes have been reunited. Created from red satin shoes, the film's costume designer covered them in red sequins sewn onto fine chiffon.

 

They were topped with a large centre bow edged with red glass bugle beads, crystals and three emerald shaped crystals.

 

Martin Roth, director of the V&A, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the ruby slippers outside of America and we are incredibly grateful to the Smithsonian for this rare and generous gift.We are delighted to be able to offer our visitors the chance to see such an iconic American artefact at the V&A, and can't think of a more fitting temporary home for them than Hollywood Costume."

 

The V&A's exhibition, which features over 130 iconic costumes used in Hollywood movies, will end in January 2013.