Glitz galore: the V&A's fabulous tribute to divas

DIVAS are not new. The term has been flung around for centuries, and on its etymological journey it has gathered up many meanings.

- Joe Bromley

The V&A’s summer exhibition, Diva, embarks on a mission to unpack — but mostly celebrate — the concept of the diva: from its 14th century association with goddesses, to the 18th century prima donnas of Italian opera, through Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe, to Madonna and Mariah Carey.

The gist is that misogynistic undertones crept in during the late 20th century, making ‘diva’ more critical than complimentary, before it was reclaimed in all its gender fluid, sparkling splendour towards the present day. Aside from this, the exhibition might be better viewed as a party, packed full of fabulous people but lacking the layer of analysis needed to break the Swarovski crystal ceiling and make it a really serious proposition. In any case, how much star power can you really pack into two floors?