The Summer Olympics aren't the only reason to visit London this month: The Barbican is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of James Bond with Designing 007, "a unique exhibition showcasing the inside story of the design and style of the world's most influential and iconic movie brand."In collaboration with EON Productions and with unprecedented access to their archives, Designing 007 will be a multi-sensory experience, immersing audiences in the creation and development of Bond style over its auspicious 50 year history.

It will explore the craft behind the screen icons, the secret service and villains, tailoring and costumes, set and production design, automobiles, gadgets and special effects, graphic design and motion graphics, exotic locations, stunts and props.

Highlights include gadgets and weapons made for Bond and his notorious adversaries by special effects experts John Stears and Chris Corbould, along with artwork for sets and storyboards by production designers Sir Ken Adam, Peter Lamont and Syd Cain, and costume designs by Bumble Dawson, Donfeld, Julie Harris, Lindy Hemming, Ronald Patterson, Emma Porteous, and Jany Temime.

Those of us who can't make it across the pond will have to settle for this tantalizing promo video:

But wait, there's more: only half the exhibition is dedicated to design; the other half will focus on fashion, from Savile Row to saving the world:

On display too will be lavish screen finery by Hollywood costume designers and major fashion names including Giorgio Armani, Brioni, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, Hubert de Givenchy, Gucci's Frida Giannini, Douglas Hayward, Rifat Ozbek, Jenny Packham, Miuccia Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Anthony Sinclair, Philip Treacy, Emanuel Ungaro and Donatella Versace.

Designing 007 will transform the Barbican, taking the audience on a journey—a 'making of' and presentation of Bond style over 50 years.

Designing 007 opens this Friday, July 6, and will be on view until September 5, 2012.

You won't have to rappel to get there, though a stair-descending skateboard might be useful.