Exhibition, Gloucestershire, 11th – 20th November 2026
Stardust: 100 years of stage, screen and celebrity
Header shots:
Left – Yoko Ono ©️ Jillian Edelstein Courtesy Hundred Heroines
Right – Vivienne Westwood ©️ Jillian Edelstein Courtesy Hundred Heroines
Stardust: 100 years of stage, screen and celebrity is a dazzling exhibition at the new Hundred Heroines space that celebrates the women photographers who shaped the public image of fame throughout the twentieth century.
Bringing together remarkable portraits of stage, screen and society, the exhibition ranges from the glamour of the early movie stars such as Vivien Leigh, Tallulah Bankhead, and Marlene Dietrich to striking contemporary portraits by renowned portrait photographer Jillian Edelstein, as well as images, including Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin, from the Elisabeth Buchmeyer Lewis archive, some of which are being shown in public for the first time.
Presented by Hundred Heroines, the UK’s only museum and charity dedicated to women in photography, this free exhibition, split over two sites, highlights how women contribute to the visual language of celebrity. Stardust is the inaugural exhibition in Hundred Heroines’ new bigger gallery and museum space in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, situated closer to the town centre and now accessible across one level making it far easier to visit.
Del Barrett, curator and Founder of Hundred Heroines, says of Stardust: “This is the perfect opening exhibition for our new gallery. It’s a celebration of the remarkable women who photographed the famous faces of the twentieth century, and gives us the chance to share some of the hidden gems in our archive. The move marks an exciting new chapter for Hundred Heroines, and I’m excited about welcoming the first visitors through the doors in September.”
Jillian Edelstein, headline artist of Stardust, explains: “When Hundred Heroines approached me to take part, saying yes was an easy decision! Seeing my own work exhibited alongside that of Lallie Charles, Dorothy Wilding and Madame D’Ora has been an honour. My portraits included here reflect the humanity behind the mask of celebrity, the person behind the persona. We see them as more than the fame, more than the hype of modern-day fame. They become real and infinitely more moving as a result.”
For the early works in the show, Hundred Heroines has again partnered with Sisters of the Lens to bring together stars of stage and screen from the golden age of Hollywood. Hundred Heroines has a growing collection of original prints by early 20th century European photographers, many of which are on display for this exhibition.
In the gallery, through original photographs, studio material and interpretive displays, visitors are invited to enjoy the glamour of the sitters and see how photography contributes to the construction of celebrity. The Art Garden (Mortimer Gardens) features stunning celebrity portraits by Jillian Edelstein. As with all Hundred Heroines exhibitions, Stardust places women firmly back into photographic history.
Exhibition Dates: 11 September – 20 November 2026
Locations:
Hundred Heroines Photo Museum (Thurs to Sat 11:00 – 16:00)
Unit 41 Nailsworth Mills, Avening Road, Nailsworth, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 0BS
The Art Garden (Mon – Sun 24 hours)
Mortimer Gardens, 17 Fountain Street, Nailsworth, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 0NP
Published 9th August 2026
Breaking Glass Magazine 