From climate change to Brexit, Vivienne Westwood was well-known for her political statements, both on and off the runway. Indeed, the outspoken veteran designer often used her catwalk collections to make her views clear, whether that be on an eye-catching slogan T-shirt or a sign held up by a model walking the runway.Westwood, whose death at the age of 81 was announced on 29 December, quite literally turned her catwalk show into a protest march for her spring/summer 2016 Red Label collection, with models carrying placards declaring “Austerity is a crime” and “Fracking is a crime”. Environmental issues were a longtime focus for the designer, from the “Climate Revolution” banner unfurled at the end of her spring/summer 2013 show, to the climate change zombies that walked the catwalk for spring/summer 2014. She also backed controversial figures in the past, donning an “I am Julian Assange” T-shirt at the end of her autumn/winter 2013 show, before visiting the WikiLeaks founder at the Ecuadorian embassy, where he sought asylum in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden following sexual assault allegations. Before that, her autumn/winter 2006 collection referenced the jailed Native American activist Leonard Peltier.When it came to British politics, Westwood never shied away from making her voice heard. As far back as spring/summer 2006 she used her Paris Fashion Week show to criticise controversial anti-terrorism laws, and she made her views on the Scottish independence referendum clear by wearing a “Yes” badge for her spring/summer 2015 show. Meanwhile, her autumn/winter 2018 menswear film (showcasing a unisex collection) featured a model waving the EU flag, in an apparent statement against Brexit.Here, Vogue looks back at the late designer’s landmark political statements over the years.
FAQs
What techniques does Vivienne Westwood use? ›
Her way of sketching is working in 3D with the actual fabric, she pins sections of fabric onto the model then incorporates the results into the construction of her designs. She is very analytical and intellectual in her approach and mixes a historical approach with modern design.
How many clothing lines does Vivienne Westwood have? ›DESCRIPTION. Vivienne Westwood is one of the last truly independent fashion companies within the international arena. We produce four clothing labels, leather goods, jewellery and a range of other accessories, fragrances and homewares.
What is Vivienne Westwood's unique selling point? ›Vivienne Westwood's unique selling proposition lies in its bold and unconventional designs. The brand is known for pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms through its fashion creations.
What patterns did Vivienne Westwood use? ›Westwood not only incorporated traditional tartan into her fashion designs, she also designed and registered her own tartans. The most recognisable of Westwood's creations is probably her MacAndreas tartan which was developed as part of her 1993 Anglomania collection.
What is the Vivienne Westwood aesthetic called? ›Westwood will always be known for her part in the creation of punk. But in the 30-plus years that followed her split from partner and collaborator Malcolm McLaren, she forged a rebel aesthetic that was truly her own.
What is the aesthetic of Vivienne Westwood? ›Westwood's designs were heavily influenced by the punk aesthetic, which rejected mainstream values and celebrated individualism and rebellion. Her clothing often featured unconventional materials, such as leather, PVC, and studs, and was known for its bold, edgy style.
What makes Vivienne Westwood unique? ›The shop cemented Westwood's association with punk and, along with McLaren, she was credited for giving the subculture a radical style that was unlike anything before. Westwood's creations of bondage trousers, ripped t-shirts and provocative slogans made a mark on culture and later mainstream fashion.
What is Vivienne Westwood's nickname? ›The uniform Westwood created for them – torn T-shirts printed with lewd images and held together with safety pins, ragged mohair jumpers, tartan accents and bondage trousers – redefined fashion forever, and won her the nickname “the high priestess of punk fashion”.
Can Muslims wear Vivienne Westwood necklace? ›The symbol that Vivienne Westwood uses is, “ an Orb, a globe surmounted by a cross, used as a symbol of monarchial power and justice.” Westwood sees herself as the queen of fashion, albeit with tongue in cheek. Muslims can make their own mind up about whether they choose to wear the symbol or not.
Why is Gen Z obsessed with Vivienne Westwood? ›Juxtaposing subculture with tradition, the designer remixes sartorial codes in ways that resonate with younger consumers. In their own way, members of Gen-Z have fused the past and future with their approach to style.
What is the most popular item in Vivienne Westwood? ›
Westwood's most popular pieces include her Boucher corsets – as seen on the likes of Bella Hadid, FKA Twigs and Grimes – as well as her Super Elevated Ghillie platforms, worn by Naomi Campbell when she famously tripped over on the catwalk during the designer's autumn/winter 1993 show.
What does Vivienne Westwood logo stand for? ›Inspired by their ethics, Vivienne created an orb of her own. In a similar way, the Vivienne Westwood orb represents craftsmanship, quality, and authenticity. She added the surrounding rings to symbolise Saturn. For her, these manifested a future of exploration and innovation.
What is Vivienne Westwood's favorite food? ›Vivienne Westwood likes to keep things simple: lettuce is her favourite food.
What is Vivienne Westwood's personality? ›Vivienne Westwood personality is a name synonymous with boldness, creativity, and non-conformism. As a fashion designer, activist, and cultural icon, she has spent decades challenging conventions, pushing boundaries, and inspiring a new generation of designers and thinkers.
What did Vivienne Westwood died from? › What makes Vivienne Westwood special? ›The shop cemented Westwood's association with punk and, along with McLaren, she was credited for giving the subculture a radical style that was unlike anything before. Westwood's creations of bondage trousers, ripped t-shirts and provocative slogans made a mark on culture and later mainstream fashion.
What are the features of Vivienne Westwood? ›Westwood's willingness to push boundaries and challenge conventions has been a hallmark of her career. From her early punk designs to her more recent collections, she has consistently broken with traditional fashion norms and experimented with unconventional materials, techniques and silhouettes.
What is Vivienne Westwood promotion strategy? ›Vivienne Westwood's media strategy is simple yet effective, focussing on magazine advertisem*nts and editorial, social media, celebrity endorsem*nt and gifting. Westwood also continues to show in Paris, Milan and London maintaining brand profile on a global stage.
What makes Vivienne Westwood interesting? ›Dame Vivienne Westwood died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 81. Westwood was one of the most iconic designers in British history, and she was a punk icon. She famously skipped underwear when she met the royal family, two separate times.