Dorothy’s ruby red slippers travel from US to UK for six-week display

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – Dorothy’s ruby red slippers in the 1939 film Wizard of Oz will be transported from the National Museum of American History to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London for a four-week display this October.

The original slippers, worn by Judy Garland, who played Dorothy’s character, will leave its America home for the first time ever on October 9 to be part of V&A’s “Hollywood Costume” exhibit. This is also the first time that the shoes will be reunited with Dorothy’s gingham dress since the film was shot.

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.”

Dorothy’s slippers will be on display form October 20 until November 20. The V&A Hollywood Costume exhibit will run from October 20, 2012 until January 27, 2013.