Dame Vivienne Westwood: The Queen of British Fashion, dies aged 81
Vivienne Westwood died peacefully surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London.
Dame Vivienne Isabel Westwood was a fashion designer, businesswoman, and activist who is best known for her work in the punk and new wave movements of the 1970s and 80s.
Born Vivienne Isabel Swire on 8 April 1941 in the village of Tintwistle, Derbyshire, DBE RDI and died on 29 December 2022 at the age of 81. She was a major force behind the creation of the modern punk movement in London during the late 1970s, which was largely responsible for bringing new wave fashions into the mainstream. As a result of her success as an independent designer with her store SEX on King's Road, she became known as "the queen of punk".
She has been described by The Guardian as one of Britain's most influential designers who "significantly transformed not just our clothes but how we shop". In addition to her career in fashion design, she established herself as an important figure in British politics through her activism.
Photographed by Juergen Teller.
Vivienne 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. She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.
Vivienne considered herself a Taoist. She wrote, “Tao spiritual system. There was never more need for the Tao today. Tao gives you a feeling that you belong to the cosmos and gives purpose to your life; it gives you such a sense of identity and strength to know you’re living the life you can live and therefore ought to be living: make full use of your character and full use of your life on earth.”
The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better.
'Mac Andy' tartan features across tailoring, skirts and accessories for SS23 / Find geometric jacquards and heart stitches across our knitwear for SS23 / Born to Rewild #VWSS23
In 1958, the Westwood family moved to Harrow, Greater London. Westwood took a jewellery and silversmith course at the University of Westminster, but only attended for one term. She then took a job in a factory and studied at a teacher-training college before becoming a primary school teacher.
During this time period, Westwood created her own jewellery that she sold at a stall on Portobello Road.
@oddamagazine Photographer @distilledpaper_ Creative Direction and Fashion by @davidmartingss
'SEX' STORE ON THE KINGS ROAD, LONDONVivienne Westwood is one of the architects of the punk fashion phenomenon of the 1970s. She co-managed SEX, a store that was a meeting place for early members of the London punk scene. She also inspired icons like Viv Albertine, who wrote in her memoir, "Vivienne and Malcolm use clothes to shock, irritate and provoke a reaction but also to inspire change."
Jordan outside SEX, 430 Kings Road
Mohair jumpers, knitted on big needles, so loosely that you can see all the way through them; T-shirts slashed and written on by hand; seams and labels on the outside showing the construction of the piece; these attitudes are reflected in the music we make. It's OK to not be perfect, to show the workings of your life and your mind in your songs and your clothes.
Westwood after accepting her damehood at Buckingham Palace in 2006.Photo: Getty Images
Dame Vivienne Westwood has been a fashion icon for over 50 years. In that time, she has designed everything from punk rock and bondage-inspired clothing to high-end couture. But one of the most famous stories about Westwood is the time she wore no knickers to receive an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II. The story goes like this: in 1992, the Queen awarded Westwood with an OBE at Buckingham Palace. As she received it, she twirled her skirt so that photographers could get a full shot of her outfit—and they got more than they bargained for. The image of Westwood's bare behind was published worldwide.
In 2016, Andreas Kronthaler became creative director of the brand, and the mainline was renamed Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood. He will continue to keep Dame Vivienne’s legacy alive!
And so the story of Vivienne Westwood comes to a close.But in just one year, we'll start anew with The Vivienne Foundation—a non-profit company founded by Dame Vivienne, her sons and grand-daughter to "honour, protect and continue the legacy of Vivienne's life, design and activism".
As Dame Vivienne's legacy continues to grow, we are sure that her spirit and design aesthetic will live on for generations to come.