Classic gaff
Although proud to take its place as the focal point of west London’s Brompton Design District, London’s Victoria & Albert Museum is apparently less happy to be associated with another kind of Brompton.
One Design Week writer, who rocked up to the London Design Festival press conference at the V&A this morning on an Brompton folding bike, was a little miffed to be told he wouldn’t be able put it in the cloakroom.
Protestations that the bike is a stone cold British design classic (recognised by no less an authority than Prince Phillip: https://www.designweek.co.uk/brompton-bike-designer-wins-prince-philip-prize/3005607.article) and should be hailed by the V&A as such, were to no avail.
Fortunately, a kindly V&A staffer jumped in to offer up some space under his desk, where the bike was able to sit in ignominy, denied its rightful place on a V&A pedestal.
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Yesterday I attended the Oral history conference at the Sackler centre in the V&A: my brompton was also not allowed in the V&A or cloakroom. The conference organizers offered to place it behind their desk but the security did not want and was not allowed to let me pass…. Other institutions have similar policies: National Gallery, RIBA and RCA. I am thinking about starting a petition, any advice is welcome. Thanks Wes