"God Save the Queen" T-Shirt (1977) by Vivienne WestwoodThe Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Vivienne Westwood, the off-piste punk of New Wave fashion, had worked in a factory, as a teacher, and a jeweller before she exploded onto the public scene after infamously outfitting a number of punk bands, including the Sex Pistols and Viv Albertine of The Slits.
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430 King's Road, London
In 1974 Westwood cofounded SEX with her husband Malcolm McLaren. The boutique defined and sold the sado-masichistic inspired punk look of the 1970s and 80s. The interior was decorated with red carpets, rubber walls, chickenwire, and graffiti from the SCUM Manifesto.
Vivienne Westwood World's End Store by Vivienne WestwoodOriginal Source: Vivienne Westwood
Much like punk, SEX didn't last long. Westwood and Mclaren would change the name and the decor of the shop with every new collection. In 1979 the shop was re-branded as the Worlds End. For whatever reason, this name stuck.
Top, Skirt (Spring/Summer 1986) by Vivienne WestwoodThe Kyoto Costume Institute
Her collections are defined by parody and irony. Between 1985-87 she invented the mini-crini, a combination of the crinoline, representing 'a mythology of restriction and encumbrance in woman's dress', and the miniskirt, representing an 'equally dubious mythology of liberation'.
Vivienne Westwood by Vivienne WestwoodOriginal Source: Vivienne Westwood
Between 1988 and 1991, dubbed 'The Pagan Years' Westwood's designs made a notable switch from 'punks and ragamuffins' to Tatler girls and Sloane Rangers. In April 1989 Westwood appeared on the cover of Tatler dressed as then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Dame Vivienne Westwood by Ki PriceBritish Fashion Council
God Save the Queen
In 1992, Westwood was awarded an OBE, which she collected from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. In an infamous photograph taken after the event, it was revealed that Westwood hadn't worn any underwear. "I have heard that the picture amused the Queen." she later said.
Vivienne Westwood Autumn-Winter 2011/12 Campaign by Juergen Teller by Juergen TellerOriginal Source: Vivienne Westwood
Westwood's designs were featured in the 2008 film adaptation of the television series Sex and the City. In the film, Carrie Bradshaw gets engaged with her on-again-off-again fiance, Mr Big. She's later given an iconic Westwood wedding gown as a gift, but not all goes to plan…
Backstage at Vivienne Westwood Spring / Summer 2016 (2015) by Vivienne WestwoodOriginal Source: British Fashion Council.
In 2008, Westwood unveiled her designs for King's College London's new academic dresses. She said of her designs. "Through my reworking of the traditional robe I tried to link the past, the present and the future. We are what we know."
Vivienne Westwood Protesting on a TankOriginal Source: Vivienne Westwood
Over the years, Westwood has supported a dizzying variety of political causes. Most recently, she supported Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party as, "a beacon of hope in the struggle against emergent far-right nationalism, xenophobia and racism in much of the democratic world."
Installation view, "Anthology" by JIN Te OkSeoul Design Foundation
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