Vivienne Westwood… An icon whose clothing was a vessel for her politics
- Vivienne Westwood is one of the last remaining independent global fashion companies
- Her label has always been about activism and her clothes provoked a reaction
- In 1992, Westwood went to command to receive her OBE at Buckingham Palace
“Capitalism is a crime. It is the main cause of war, climate change and corruption.”
Not what you’d expect from one of the most influential fashion designers of all time, but that’s exactly why the industry loved her.
Vivienne Westwood is one of the last remaining independent global fashion companies and it reflects her values that she has never sold to any of the big fashion houses.
Her label has always been as much about activism as it is about clothing—in a way, her products were simply a vessel for her politics.
Vivienne Westwood is one of the last remaining independent global fashion companies and it reflects her values that she has never sold to any of the big fashion houses
Westwood believed that clothing should evoke a reaction. That’s exactly what they did in 1992 when she went to command to receive her OBE at Buckingham Palace (pictured).
Westwood’s ability was to take the traditional to the outrageous. Pictured: Westwood during Paris Fashion Week 2012
The always provocative grande dame of British fashion began designing with partner Malcolm McLaren in their shop at 430 King’s Road in 1971. Her ability was to make the outrageous out of the traditional. She scoured historical trends to create some of the most modern looks.
She believed that clothes should evoke a reaction. And that’s exactly what they did in 1992 when she went to command to receive her OBE at Buckingham Palace.
“I wanted to show off my outfit by twirling the skirt.
“I didn’t think the result would be any more glamorous than I expected as the photographers were practically on their knees,” she said lightheartedly.