Not just about the glamorous fashion: Divas are more than just style icons

Across two floors, items such as Bob Mackie’s flame dress, worn by Tina Turner, Cher and Diana Ross, explores the concept of "divas". Photo: The New York Times

Opera singer. Style icon. Outspoken woman. Divine being. High-maintenance nightmare.

A “diva” could be any of these, depending on who is speaking, and about whom. It’s a word known all over the world, without needing translation, said Kate Bailey, the curator of an exhibition exploring the term that is currently on view at the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London.