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Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion designer and icon who revolutionised the fashion industry with her rebellious and provocative designs. She is best known for her role in creating the punk and new romanticism movements, as well as her activism for sustainability and social justice. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and original fashion designers of the 20th and 21st centuries.
A Rebel with a Cause
Vivienne Westwood was born as Vivienne Isabel Swire in 1941 in Glossop, England. She grew up in a working-class family and had a passion for art and literature. She studied at Harrow School of Art, but dropped out after one term. She married Derek Westwood, a factory worker, in 1962 and had a son, Ben.
She became interested in fashion after meeting Malcolm McLaren, a radical artist and manager of the Sex Pistols, a punk rock band. They opened a shop on King's Road in London, where they sold clothes that reflected their anti-establishment and subversive views. They named the shop variously Let It Rock, SEX, Seditionaries, and World's End.
SEX 430 Kings Road London (1974-1976)
A Legend in the Making
Vivienne Westwood's designs were unlike anything seen before: they were ripped, patched, safety-pinned, studded, and printed with controversial slogans and images. They challenged the norms of beauty, gender, and class. They also influenced the music and culture of the punk and new romanticism scenes.
She launched her first runway show in 1981, titled Pirates. She followed with other collections that showcased her eclectic and innovative style, such as Savages, Nostalgia of Mud, Witches, Harris Tweed, Anglomania, and Boudoir. She also created iconic pieces such as the bondage trousers, the mini-crini skirt, the pirate boots, the rocking horse shoes, and the orb necklace.
Vivienne Westwood's fall 1981 Pirate runway show
A Legacy of Genius
Vivienne Westwood's influence on fashion is undeniable and lasting. She has inspired generations of designers who admire her courage and creativity, such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Stella McCartney. She has also left a mark on culture, art, and society, as her style has been adopted and adapted by various celebrities and subcultures.
She is also a vocal advocate for sustainability and social justice. She has used her platform to raise awareness and funds for various causes, such as climate change, human rights, animal rights, and democracy. She has also written books, such as Active Resistance to Propaganda and Get a Life!
Vivienne Westwood died on 29 December 2022 at the age of 81 in London. She left behind a legacy of punk fashion that transcends time and trends. She once said: "I want to use fashion as a weapon to fight for a better world." Vivienne Westwood was not only a fashion designer, but also a punk icon.
