Spice Up Your Life: The Exhibition

Breaking big records and grabbing never-endless accolades like five Brit Awards, three American Music Awards, three MTV Europe Music Awards, one MTV Video Music Award and three World Music Awards, Spice Girls will forever have a place in music history. In total, they’ve sold 85 million records worldwide. They are also the first British band since The Rolling Stones to have two top-ten albums in the US Billboard 200 albums chart at the same time. In 1999, they were ranked sixth in Forbes’ inaugural Celebrity 100 Power Ranking. If this wasn’t impressive enough, their first single, “Wannabe”, is the most successful song to be released by a girl band and was the highest-ever debut by a British band in the US beating the previous record held by The Beatles!

But the ‘Spice Up Your Life’ mania extended far beyond the music charts. At the height of their fame, the Spice Girls were one of the most marketed and commercial bands ever, and their imprint on fashion was just as influential. In honor of their perennial imprint on fashion, an exhibition is being dedicated to it. Launched by their huge fan and collector Alan Smith-Allison, the exhibit is being showcased in London and Manchester. Here are some of the iconic Spice Girls outfit pieces the exhibit brought back to mind along with a big wave of nostalgia.

Girl Power Tops

While “girl power” was a common theme among most Spice Girls’ outfits, it was mainly worn and promoted by Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell, and usually in her signature sexy- siren red.

Union Jack Platform Boots

Another signature outfit piece worn by Halliwell were the Union Jack Platform Boots. Of course we also take this moment to pay tribute to all her Union Jack Dresses, as well.

Animal Prints

Scary Spice Mel B was usually loud and bold with her animal print outfits. They always seemed to fit perfectly with her big character and even bigger Afro hair.

Little Black Gucci Dress

Posh Spice Victoria Beckham usually accompanied her short bob and pouty pose with sleek dresses. It is no wonder then that the singer who went on to become a successful designer’ signature look is a black Gucci dress.

Purple Halter Dress

Everyone loved Baby Spice’s fun and flirty looks. Emma Bunton’s purple halter dress along with matching tall purple glitter boots and a voluminous half up ponytail was the epitome of that.

​The Spice Girl Exhibition is now open at the Business Design Centre, Islington in London until 20 August, and at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester from 24 August to 4 September.

By Sarah Guirguis