If you’re on social media, you have probably seen one of your favorite influencers rocking a pearl necklace with a silver or gold orb pennant. It’s from the designer Vivienne Westwood and it embodies an interesting backstory that doesn’t quite meet the eye.
Born and raised in Derbyshire, UK, Westwood grew up as a country girl who taught herself fashion design. In the 1960’s, she met her then-partner Malcolm McLaren, who went on to become the manager of Sex Pistols. The couple pulled influences from punk music, and together, turned it into part of Westwood’s brand. Her approach to the fashion industry was always with a dash of rebellion and fun that can be easily detected from her romantic corsets, outgoing slogans, and beautiful statement jewelry pieces.
Westwood and McLaren opened their shop in 1971, located on London’s 430 Kings Road. Over the years, the shop has altered its aesthetic depending on the interests of Westwood and social movements around the world. About a year after the initial opening, Westwood was heavily influenced by the punk movement hence renamed the shop, Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die, and began to curate tees with provocative messaging. Due to obscenity laws, the couple was prosecuted which, in turn, caused them to rename the shop once again in 1974. SEX was what it was called and they began to create clothing that would cause even more disturbance to the social scene – a very Westwood move.
Upon entering the 80s, the orb emblem was born by combining the royal British symbol seen on crown jewels and rings of Saturn. Westwood, who admired Britain’s deep history of monarchy and astronomy, wanted to pay homage to both facets. The logo still stands today and serves as the pinnacle of the Westwood brand as it respects the past and brings excitement for the future.
@angelicapham100/10 recommend but do y’all think it was worth it?! 🤐 #fyp #foryou #asian #viviennewestwood #vinniehacker #elliezeiler #jewelry #ImJealous♬ Deep End – Fousheé
Today, Westwood is known for creating quality items that last forever. “Buy less. Choose well. Make it last. Quality, not quantity. Everybody’s buying far too many clothes,” reads one of her most famous quotes. With knock-offs from practically anything and everything currently circling the market, it can be assumed that Westwood would critique the fast fashion industry which has been creating dupes of this Mini Bras Relief Choker. So, to honor this designer and its work, it is important to authenticate your purchase as to respect her brand.
Katherine McGowan
Social Media Associate
Katherine is a New Jersey native who is passionate about understanding culture through its history and food. You can most likely find her enjoying an Aperol Spritz with a local or getting lost on a windy cobblestone road. Some of her other favorite cities are NYC, Amsterdam, London and Rome.
