Singer Kylie Minogue smiles as she arrives at the inauguration party of "Kylie: The Exhibition" at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London February 6, 2007.[Reuters]

Reporters in the line-up outside the museum were under strict instructions not to mention her private life and all she would say when asked about how she felt was "I'm here tonight ... It's all good."

Among the displays were the overalls she wore in 1988 as Charlene in the Australian soap opera "Neighbours" which first propelled her to stardom.

Also on display were the gold lame hot pants she sported in the video for her 2000 hit single "Spinning Around."

Exhibitions chief Vicky Broackes paid tribute to the staying power of the Grammy-award winning singer, a pop chameleon who has constantly re-invented her image.

"She is the only star apart from Madonna to have had number one hits in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s," Broackes told Reuters.

Wearing a purple backless gown, Minogue posed for photographers on a freezing winter's night before signing autographs for fans and joining guests served champagne by waiters in cut-away T-shirts and feathered masks.

Minogue rang her mother in Australia to tell her about the exhibition "and she was in tears."

In a big statement displayed across the entrance to the exhibition, Kylie pays tribute to her parents who followed her around on tour, scooping up glittery outfits from the dressing room floor after performances.

"Were it not for my parents, I'm sure this collection would be the size of a suitcase rather than an exhibition space."