Vivienne Westwood

Westwood's fashion career began in the 1970s with the punk explosion, when her radical approach to urban street style took the world by storm.

She approached her work with gusto in her early years, but over time seemed to tire of the clamor and buzz. "Fashion can be so boring," she told The Associated Press after unveiling one of her new collections at a 2010 show. "They gave the punk movement a look, a style, and it was so radical it broke from anything in the past," he said. But Westwood was able to make the transition from punk to haute couture without missing a beat, keeping her career going without stooping to self-caricature. As her stature grew, she seemed to transcend fashion, with her designs shown in museum collections throughout the world. But she went on to enjoy a long career highlighted by a string of triumphant runway shows in London, Paris, Milan and New York.

Dame Vivienne was known for her androgynous designs, slogan T-shirts, and anti-establishment attitude.

In addition to her work as a designer, Dame Vivienne was vocal in her support of a number of social and political initiatives including campaigning for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting to avoid being sent to the US to face charges under the Espionage Act. Dame Vivienne, who was born in Cheshire in 1941, is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations. The pioneering fashion designer made a name for herself on the fashion scene in the 1970s, with her androgynous designs, slogan t-shirts and irreverent attitude towards the establishment.

Westwood, who was also awarded damehood by the late Queen Elizabeth II, was born April 8, 1941.

British fashion designer and style icon Vivienne Westwood has died aged 81. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home in London on ...

The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company, founded by Westwood, her sons & granddaughter in late 2022, will officially launch next year. Westwood was an outspoken advocate for the planet, often promoting quality over quantity when it came to fashion consumption. Westwood was the only woman, the only Brit, and the only designer on his list who was not already a multi-million-dollar brand. And on Twitter, singer Boy George [wrote](https://twitter.com/boygeorge/status/1608589986663636992?s=46&t=tMddMm_UZ3Ynm0xkMkYFRA)"R.I.P. [wrote](https://www.instagram.com/p/CmxYbJzvmgW/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=), "I will forever be grateful to have been in your orbit, because to me and most, in fashion and humanity, you, Vivienne, were the sun." To the fashion world she was a beloved character who energized and pushed the boundaries of the industry until her death. In his view, she was one of the six most influential designers of the 20th century, along with Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani, Christian Lacroix and Emanuel Ungaro. (In 1989, she was still living in an ex-council flat in South London and was "virtually bankrupt," according to Jane Mulvagh's 1998 biography, "Vivienne Westwood: An Unfashionable Life." In 1992, Westwood married an Austrian design student, Andreas Kronthaler, 25 years her junior. She twirled sans culottes for photographers after receiving her Order of the British Empire from the Queen in 1992. "It changed the way people looked," Westwood told Time magazine in 2012. Her mother worked as a weaver at local cotton mills; her father came from a family of shoemakers.

“Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London,” a message posted on her official Twitter page read. “The ...

you were the reason i left the house with the confidence to look the way i did. “you gave me the courage to express myself,” She has also campaigned for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), dedicated a fashion collection to activist and whistleblower Chelsea Manning, and used her 2012 London Fashion Week shows to support Julian Assange and call for his release. Throughout the years, Westwood remained an outspoken voice for issues she believed in. In 2020, her spring/summer collection featured clothes made of organic cotton and natural flax, with thread that had been sourced from trees grown in managed forests. Her designs also appeared in the 2008 Sex And The City movie, with Westwood designing a wedding dress for Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw. Over her career, the icon did everything from designing academic dresses for London’s King’s College and redesign uniforms for Virgin Atlantic flight crews. In the early ‘80s, Westwood launched her own brand, designing clothes which continued to subvert conformist society’s expectations. Among her signature looks at the time – many of which appeared in her designs again over the decades – were ripped t-shirts, bondage, plaid patterns, mohair, rubber, provocative imagery and safety pin embellishments. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with.” [December 29, 2022] “Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London,” a message posted on her official Twitter page read.

The fashion designer died peacefully surrounded by her family in Clapham, south London, her representatives said in a statement.

My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time VB.” I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas. I will always remember the night we bonded over our mutual love for Yves Saint Laurent.

Dame Vivienne was known for her androgynous designs, slogan T-shirts, and anti-establishment attitude.

Describing her outfit on the day – a black cap perched on the back of vibrant orange hair and a black dress with campaign badges and the tiny horns on her head – she said it showed her as an urban guerilla and a Che Guevara figure. “Before we’ve had class war, we’ve had rich against poor, do you know what the division is now? She said: “I am a very big fan of the Queen, I think she is marvellous and everybody else is coming round to that opinion. It’s idiots against eco-warriors. During London Fashion Week in 2012, she appeared on the catwalk herself, wrapped in a banner bearing the words “climate revolution” and bearing lots of flesh underneath. In addition to her work as a designer, Dame Vivienne was vocal in her support of a number of social and political initiatives including campaigning for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting to avoid being sent to the US to face charges under the Espionage Act.

The pioneer who brought punk-inspired creations to the mainstream has died aged 81.

As well as climate change, Westwood became a vocal supporter for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting extradition to the US to face charges under the Espionage Act. I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas." They shot to fame in 1976 wearing Westwood and McLaren's designs. The Victoria and Albert Museum, which houses some of her works, described Westwood as a "true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion". Singer Boy George, who first met Westwood in the early 1980s, called her "great and inspiring" and "without question she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion". Westwood made her name with her controversial punk and new wave styles in the 1970s and went on to dress some of the biggest stars in fashion.

Dame Vivienne Westwood has died at the age of 81. The pioneering fashion designer and activist made a name for herself on the fashion scene in the 1970s, ...

I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas. the undisputed Queen of British fashion". “Vivienne was a Dame and a pillar of the anti-establishment. The best of Britain. rest in love and Rest In Peace… I will always remember the night we bonded over our mutual love for Yves Saint Laurent. Bold, creative, thoughtful and a good friend. my inspiration and idol in all things … Stella Assange, whose wedding dress to the Australian was created by Dame Vivienne, paid tribute to her as a “pillar of the anti-establishment”. In addition to her work as a designer, Dame Vivienne was vocal in her support of a number of social and political initiatives including campaigning for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting to avoid being sent to the US to face charges under the Espionage Act. Dame Vivienne, who was born in Cheshire in 1941, is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations. Following the news of her death, tributes have poured in for Dame Vivienne, with the world described as “already a less interesting place”.

She died peacefully surrounded by her family in Clapham, southwest London, on Thursday, a statement said. Her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler ...

“Vivienne made me a new dress in 3 days and 2 others beside for each of the upcoming openings,” she wrote. “I’ve never forgotten her generosity and kindness in making that happen and saving the day. On her [Instagram Story](https://www.instagram.com/stories/victoriabeckham/3004228933414664532/), Beckham reshared the statement announcing the designer’s death and wrote: “I’m so sad to learn of the passing of legendary designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood. She later said: “I met a man who worked with the Queen and he said she was rather amused by it.” [ many other celebrities went to social media to mourn Westwood](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/vivienne-westwood-death-tributes-news-b2253243.html), including fellow designer Victoria Beckham. The clothes arrived at my London hotel unclean, were unflattering and in need of alteration.

Dame Vivienne Westwood is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream.

"Laughed at by the fashion industry but without question she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion. Oh bondage up yours!" [Dame Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/)’s husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: “I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. [Vivienne Westwood](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) who lead us through punk and beyond. [Dame Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) from across the world and from figures in several different industries. [Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/), Queen of punk, From the first day I met you to the last day I saw you, you made me smile, listen, learn and love more than the day before. [Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better. R.I.P to the great and inspiring Vivienne Westwood who lead us through punk and beyond.— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) [pic.twitter.com/YQwVixYUrV] [December 29, 2022] [Dame Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/), who was born in Cheshire in 1941, is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations. [Vivienne Westwood](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better."

Tributes have poured in following the death of Dame Vivienne Westwood, the pioneering British fashion designer, at the age of 81. Westwood died “peacefully ...

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Dame Vivienne died on Thursday peacefully and surrounded by her family in Clapham, south London.

I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas. In her own tribute to Dame Vivienne, Assange said: “Vivienne was a rebel at heart. “Vivienne was a Dame and a pillar of the anti-establishment. I will always remember the night we bonded over our mutual love for Yves Saint Laurent. Her gift to us took our wedding to the next level so there was a lot of attention and she just had this incredible talent for visuals and for messaging. rest in love and Rest In Peace… The best of Britain. Bold, creative, thoughtful and a good friend. my inspiration and idol in all things … Stella Assange, whose wedding dress to the Australian was created by Dame Vivienne, paid tribute to her as a “pillar of the anti-establishment”. In addition to her work as a designer, Dame Vivienne was vocal in her support of a number of social and political initiatives including campaigning for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting to avoid being sent to the US to face charges under the Espionage Act. It also said that The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to “honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne’s life, design and activism”.

No fashion designer ever had a Paris show like the one staged by Vivienne Westwood in 1991. Although she was by then 50 and had been making clothes for sale ...

Westwood accepted an offer of management from the fashion PR Carlo D’Amario, and they travelled to Italy to seek backing for a label of her own. With introductions from rag trade friends, she moved incrementally into bank loans and business funding to pay off the debts of Worlds End, and to buy rather than rent her second shop, in Davies Street, Mayfair. Westwood’s politics, unstoppably advocated, were anti-establishment, whatever the current establishment might be, and settled in the direction of Green party-pro-environmentalism, although there were problems over her company’s tax-related fine for undervaluing its assets, and its corporate tax wriggles. The Harris tweed, tartan and barathea of her collection of 1987, again sewn in the flat, recalled Glossop’s stout wool stuffs, respecting tradition yet radically cut. Westwood was discovering that her work was known, and admired, more outside Britain than in it. She returned to her parents, and began to make jewellery for a stall in Portobello Road. These she printed with slogans and lewd images, gay and straight; she distressed and adorned them, dyed them in her bath and stitched on chicken bones boiled clean in the kitchen. Its next incarnation was as SEX, in 1974, with Westwood sourcing its stock of rubber fetish-wear through the pages of Exchange & Mart. Her father was a factory worker; her mother had been in the mills and appreciated a length of good wool worsted – although everything was in short supply during Viv’s childhood. She became a primary school teacher and in 1962 married Derek Westwood, a toolmaker with ambitions, which he achieved, to be an airline pilot. She was born in Tintwistle, just outside the mill town of Glossop, Derbyshire, the daughter of Dora (nee Ball) and Gordon Swire. No fashion designer ever had a Paris show like the one staged by Vivienne Westwood in 1991.

Dame Vivienne died on Thursday peacefully and surrounded by her family in Clapham, south London.

I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas. In her own tribute to Dame Vivienne, Assange said: “Vivienne was a rebel at heart. “Vivienne was a Dame and a pillar of the anti-establishment. I will always remember the night we bonded over our mutual love for Yves Saint Laurent. Her gift to us took our wedding to the next level so there was a lot of attention and she just had this incredible talent for visuals and for messaging. rest in love and Rest In Peace… The best of Britain. Bold, creative, thoughtful and a good friend. my inspiration and idol in all things … Stella Assange, whose wedding dress to the Australian was created by Dame Vivienne, paid tribute to her as a “pillar of the anti-establishment”. In addition to her work as a designer, Dame Vivienne was vocal in her support of a number of social and political initiatives including campaigning for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting to avoid being sent to the US to face charges under the Espionage Act. It also said that The Vivienne Foundation, a not-for-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter in late 2022, will launch next year to “honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne’s life, design and activism”.

Dame Vivienne Westwood is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream.

"Laughed at by the fashion industry but without question she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion. Oh bondage up yours!" [Dame Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/)’s husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: “I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. [Vivienne Westwood](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) who lead us through punk and beyond. [Dame Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) from across the world and from figures in several different industries. [Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/), Queen of punk, From the first day I met you to the last day I saw you, you made me smile, listen, learn and love more than the day before. [Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better. R.I.P to the great and inspiring Vivienne Westwood who lead us through punk and beyond.— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) [pic.twitter.com/YQwVixYUrV] [December 29, 2022] [Dame Vivienne](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/), who was born in Cheshire in 1941, is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations. [Vivienne Westwood](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/national/18257310.dame-vivienne-westwood-joins-protesters-assange-extradition-hearing/) died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better."

Greenpeace called her a 'true radical' and Hynde said 'the world is already a less interesting place'

Friends of the Earth said she had been “a redoubtable opponent of fracking and her role in supporting and invigorating the movement in the UK was absolutely invaluable”. Outside Buckingham Palace, she gave a twirl to photographers, revealing to all the world that she had worn no knickers. The pair opened a small shop on Kings Road in Chelsea in 1971 that became a haunt of many of the bands she dressed, including the Sex Pistols, who were managed by McLaren. Born in the Derbyshire village of Tintwistle in 1941, Westwood moved with her family to London in 1957, where she attended art school for one term. She said on Twitter: “Vivienne is gone and the world is already a less interesting place.” They’re wearing a T-shirt that says: Just Stop Oil. Someone who forced fashion forward in a crucible of heat combined with an unswerving dedication to fairness, justice and the salvation of our planet. If we could all live this ideal, the world would be a better place.” Since her earliest punk days, Westwood remixed and inverted imagery drawn from the British monarchy. Addressing Westwood in an Instagram post, the American fashion designer Marc Jacobs said he was “heartbroken”, adding: “You did it first. Rest in peace dear Vivienne, although, somehow peace seems like the wrong word.” There was also recognition of Westwood’s long-running involvement in environmental activism.