Joe Lycett is an icon. And from his soft-toyed suit worn on Late Night Lycett to the Queen Elizabeth I-inspired gown for the BAFTAs, the Birmingham comedian knows how to dress like one, too. Now, Birmingham Museums has acquired a handful of his iconic costumes for the city’s permanent collection.
Items donated by the comedian include the royal gown designed by Yashana Malhotra; a pair of jeans covered with floral embroidery by Le Rêve Nazam; and an England football kit embellished by That’s Sew Maisie. All the pieces were created for Joe in collaboration with his stylist, Krishan Parmar.
Speaking about the acquisitions, Joe Lycett said:
“I was honoured to explore Birmingham Museums’ extraordinary clothes and costume archive a few months back and was blown away by the history, inspiration and beauty of some of those special pieces. As humans have done for thousands of years, I express myself through the clothes I wear and am overjoyed some of the ridiculous pieces I’ve modelled over the years will join these historic garments.”
Also among the Birmingham Museums’ acquisitions is an outfit entirely covered in soft toys which was worn by Joe in the promotional images for series two of Channel 4’s Late Night Lycett. This is currently on display in the exhibition I photograph comedians! in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Gas Hall, until Sunday, May 31.
“Joe is known for his colourful and playful style, and we’re delighted that these garments worn by such a prominent Brummie are now part of Birmingham’s collection,” said Rebecca Unsworth, curator of decorative art at Birmingham Museums Trust.
Joe Lycett will also launch his first major solo exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The ambitious mixed media exhibition, EVERY THING MUST GO, explores the theme of ‘things that are no longer with us’ and will include deceased celebrities, discontinued chocolate bars, and destroyed buildings.
