You can now get up close and personal with David Bowie’s archive at this new centre in East London You can now get up close and personal with David Bowie’s archive at this new centre in East London

The David Bowie Centre in east London is now open.

The legendary rockstar’s archive will be available for public viewing for the first time at the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford, with nine displays featuring 200 items spanning Bowie’s career, influences and collaborations.

Never-before-seen items will be on display, including Bowie’s newly discovered and unfinished final project, The Spectator, a musical set in 18th-century London.

V&A director Dr Tristram Hunt said, “We are thrilled to care for Bowie’s incredible archive, revealing new insights into his creativity and legacy, and open it up for everyone.”

Designed by architecture company IDK, the centre is primarily a working archive and collections store with reading areas and a study room.

Via the new Order an Object service, visitors can book one-on-one time in the reading room with their selections from the 90,000+ items in Bowie’s archive.

A wide array of unseen items are available to order, such as one of Bowie’s final Ziggy Stardust ensembles; the clapperboard from The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976); artwork, materials and costume for Bowie’s 50th birthday concert in 1997; and original cover designs for albums Hours (1999) and Lodger (1979), among others.

Hanging from the rafters are 20 of Bowie’s most iconic costumes, including Freddie Burretti’s Ziggy Stardust, Agnes B’s Heathen ensembles and Bowie’s 1992 Thierry Mugler wedding suit.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, “It’s a must see for fans of David Bowie. It offers a fascinating insight into the life and work of one of London’s most influential artists.”

Funded by the Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group, the centre is a dynamic space to explore Bowie’s life, work and legacy offering an up close and personal insight into Bowie’s world.

Entry to the centre is free but ticketed, with new ticket drops every six weeks.

More information: vam.ac.uk/david-bowie-centre

Read next: Filmmaker Wes Anderson’s archives to go on display at London’s Design Museum