Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery™ by Nomad Exhibitions

Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery™ by Nomad Exhibitions

When exhibition design studio Nomad Exhibitions approached us to help bring their vision to life for the touring Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery™ retrospective, it was immediately clear that a standard barrier system wouldn’t suffice. With over 550 pieces of jewellery and iconic garments spanning four decades on display, each venue — from its January 2025 launch at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington to its upcoming dates across Asia, the USA, and Europe — demanded a solution that would be bespoke, robust, and touring-friendly.

Understanding the Need for a Bespoke Solution

The exhibition’s focus on Vivienne Westwood’s jewellery and garments as “objet d’art” required protection methods that were both discreet and unobtrusive whilst still clearly communicating a boundary. Also, many of the garments were to be displayed on single circular plinths, and so circular barrier systems were required in order to blend seamlessly with the exhibition design. Nomad specified a barrier system that could be assembled and dismantled efficiently between venues, maintain a consistent aesthetic, and withstand frequent shipping and handling.

A Consultative, Collaborative Design Process

Once we had a full understanding of the brief, we then began a collaborative design process with the Nomad team to get the best possible solution for their needs — barrier dimensions and layout, signage integration, packing logistics, and set-up schedules. Through this process we developed:

A fully bespoke, modular circular barrier system, engineered for structural reliability and swift assembly.
Matching custom signage modules, seamlessly integrated and powder-coated in black to maintain visual unity.
A bespoke packing crate, tailored to reduce setup and teardown time and ensure ease of transportation.

The Final System: Elegant, Efficient, Durable

The result is a sleek black, circular barrier system, crafted with powder-coated finishes that align with the exhibition’s immersive, monochrome staging. Each section locks securely into place, allowing fast roll-out across various floor plans. The modular signage fits directly onto the barriers, ensuring interpretive information is visually integrated without distraction.

We also supplied some freestanding barriers and cord in black for the protecting other areas of the exhibition (such as shown above), again with the modular signage to match.

The custom shipping crate ensures every component is protected during transit, optimising packdown and turnaround between venues, and supporting the exhibition’s global touring schedule.

A Touring System Fit for a Cultural Retrospective

Our bespoke solution reflects Nomad’s approach to sustainable, high-impact exhibition production. Durable, transportable, and visually cohesive, the barrier and signage system mirrors the professional excellence of Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery™. It seamlessly blends form and function — protecting precious objects, enabling operational efficiency, and enhancing the visitor experience across continents.

"We have been using Absolute for as long as I can remember! Quite simply, if we have any requirement for labelling or barrier systems, we would not look anywhere else. Their systems are innovative, well made, and beautiful to look at, so always integrate seamlessly into our design schemes."

- Tim Pethick, Founder and CEO, Nomad Exhibitions

Where to See the Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery™ Travelling Exhibition

The Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery™ exhibition opened at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, New Zealand, running from January 17 to April 27, 2025. It's part of a global tour, and future dates and locations in Asia, the USA, and Europe will be announced shortly.

About NOMAD Exhibitions

Nomad Exhibitions are internationally respected for their expertise in designing, producing, and touring high-profile exhibitions across the globe. Known for their attention to detail, collaborative approach, and commitment to sustainability, they consistently deliver exhibitions that are as visually compelling as they are logistically refined.

To explore their work or learn more about their approach, visit www.nomadexhibitions.com.

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We've been part of creating great exhibitions for over 30 years. If you would like any advice relating to artwork presentation, exhibit display, protection or narration, or visitor flow please do get in touch with us today.

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