The 2017 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s popular musical Follies was staged by the National Theatre and won an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. Featuring songs such as “Broadway Baby”, “I’m Still Here”, and “Could I Leave You?”, the musical follows the story of unhappy couples, Buddy and Sally and Benjamin and Phyllis, who meet again after several decades. Ghosted by showgirls of their younger selves, Sally and Phyllis struggle with their marriages and memories of their time at Weissman’s Follies.

The costumes were designed by renowned British designer Vicki Mortimer, who won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Costume Design for the designs.The V&A acquired a number of costumes and headresses from this production, including a dress with dropped waist and extensive beading, headdress and shoes worn by young Heidi Schiller, the full costume worn by 1970s Solange LaFitte, the full showgirl costume worn by Young Solange, two Mirror Mirror showgirl outfits with sailor hat, dress and shoes, as well as showgirl headdresses for young Stella and young Deedee, and two headdresses for young Emily. The extravagant showgirl outfits were inspired by designs from the 1920s and 1930s, drawing particular inspiration from Ziegfeld Follies and Folies Bergère.