Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery is set to present The Story of The Supremes from the Mary Wilson Collection, a V&A exhibition in collaboration with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Featuring over 50 dresses worn by The Supremes throughout their long and successful career, the display will open to the public in Blackpool on November 26, and run until 1 February 2009.

Featuring a host of iconic gowns and other stage outfits, the stunning display will be making the first of a limited number of stops in Blackpool. It will feature costumes worn by the group as they shot to fame with 12 US No.1 hits between 1964 and 1969, including an unprecedented five consecutive chart toppers.

The exhibition will include dresses worn by the original Supremes – Mary Wilson, Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, as well as the 70s Supremes, for live performances, television appearances and on album covers. The gold, bronze and yellow ‘Butterfly’ gowns worn on the cover of the 1969 album ‘Cream of the Crop’ will be displayed as well as the beaded dresses The Supremes wore to meet the Queen Mother in 1968. The black velvet gowns they wore for Diana Ross’s 1970 farewell performance in Las Vegas will also feature. Visitors to the exhibition will be guided through the collection by original television footage, photographs and magazine spreads, which will examine The Supremes as the stars of Motown Records.

Mary Wilson said: "I have kept these dresses in storage for over 30 years, it was my dream that one day I could share them with the world."

The exhibition will show the changing image of The Supremes from the early days when they were known as The Primettes to the glamorous Hollywood designs they wore at the height of their fame. There will be several costumes designed by Hollywood designer Bob Mackie (known as the "Sultan of Sequins"). It will also look at their continuing stylistic influence illustrated by a set of outfits worn by R&B chart group Destiny’s Child which will accompany the collection.