The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London has reopened its Design 1990-Now galleries, featuring a collection that highlights significant shifts in contemporary design over the last three decades. With 250 exhibits, including 60 new additions, the galleries present an eclectic mix of items ranging from the first-ever baby monitor to Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup kit. This curation is organized around six thematic concepts such as housing and living, crisis and conflict, and consumer identity rather than adhering to a strict chronological narrative.

The galleries emphasize the evolving nature of design, particularly reflecting societal changes and challenges. For instance, one section focuses on women at work, providing a juxtaposition between a 1986 power suit and more contemporary artifacts that reveal the often harsh realities of garment production. This includes a plastic-lined bra designed for female workers in China's manufacturing sector as well as fast-fashion jeans that serve as a reminder of the tragic Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh, where unsafe working conditions led to a catastrophic building collapse.

In addition to the thematic displays, the galleries also include elements of personal and cultural significance, like the smashed parts of Edward Snowden’s computer, which symbolize modern issues of privacy and security. The reopening of these galleries is part of the museum's effort to engage visitors with the complexities of modern design and its impact on daily life, generating discussions around contemporary culture, innovation, and social justice.