FASHION FOCUS | DAME VIVIENNE WESTWOOD: THE QUEEN OF PUNK

The news of Vivienne Westwood's passing was for me personally, a devastating blow, just as much as Alexander McQueen. From the age of fifteen, she was one of my biggest inspirations, influencing me to want to work in fashion first as a designer, but now in ways that I could never have even dreamed of. Her attitude towards style, design and activism was something to be beheld by many who admired and worked with her over the years. She was and will always be my muse. My first glimpse into the world of fashion and always, one of my biggest unsung heroes. Here's a look at her work, her life and of course her legacy that will never be forgotten by fashionistas and activists alike.

As a fashion icon and pioneer of punk fashion, Vivienne Westwood is a name that surely everyone in the fashion industry recognizes. With her bold designs, daring prints, and unorthodox styling, Westwood was at the forefront of the fashion world for over 50 years during her career. Born in Derbyshire, England in 1941, Westwood's love for fashion began early. After finishing school, she trained as a primary school teacher but eventually turned to fashion. She opened her first boutique, "Let It Rock," in 1971 in London, with her then-husband Malcolm McLaren, former manager to The Sex Pistols, and so began her career in fashion. The store later became "SEX," and the duo began designing clothes that would become the foundation of the punk rock scene, heavily influencing the style with customised leather jackets amongst many other unique and provocative designs, clothes and accessories.

Westwood's designs soon gained popularity among musicians and artists, including the Sex Pistols, who she dressed for their debut tour. Her daring and unconventional designs reflected the punk subculture, which she played a significant role in shaping. From then on, she continued to challenge the status quo with her designs. Over the years, Westwood's designs evolved, and she became well-known for her distinct take on traditional British fashion. Her collections often featured bold prints, asymmetrical tailoring, and avant-garde silhouettes. Her unique approach to fashion has made her one of the most influential designers of the 20th and 21st centuries, not something many designers can bolster today. Her debut catwalk show entitled "Pirates'" in the Autumn/Winter 1981/82 season showcased influenced by elements and aesthetics from their shop, then entitled "The World's End", showcasing romantic looks in gold, orange and yellow making a bold statement within London's fashion scene. From that day forward, she continued to home her craft, designing and creating unique and thought-provoking womenswear catwalk shows including her Autumn/Winter 1992-93 show "Always On Camera", using Marlene Dietrich as her muse, printing her face onto garments, whilst models walked down the catwalk in fabulous gowns and jewels. Later in the same decade, she created her first Menswear collection and two years later, she debuted her first signature fragrance in 1998, Right up until her final collection of Autumn/Winter 2023-24, designed by her late husband, Andreas Kronthaler, which showcased her signature tartan prints, military-inspired looks and of course punk aesthetic. She dazzled the world with her unique take on clothing and continued to produce bold, clever and unique designs, whilst being mindful of issues that still plague the fashion industry to this day and staying true to who she was as a designer.

In addition to her designs, Westwood was also an activist, who used her platform to raise awareness on issues such as climate change, human rights, and sustainable fashion. In 2013, she was involved in the "Save The Artic campaign", created by Greenpeace, designing a line of t-shirts with the campaign logo printed on the front and photographed with over sixty influential and beloved celebrities to back the campaign, including Olivia Coleman, George Clooney, Sir Ian McKellen & Kate Moss, just to name a few, donating all of the proceeds directly back to Greenpeace. In 2010 the "Made In Kenya" collaboration was founded in partnership with the United Nations to support Ethical Fashion Initiative and Artisan Fashion, alongside launching her website "Climate Revolution". Westwood often attended marches and protests personally, in a bid to fight against social issues, showing support for Scottish independence with her SS15 show, accessorising models with "yes" badges. Dressing up as conservative leader Margaret Thatcher in 1989 for Tatler Magazine and even baring all for PETA in support of vegetarianism to highlight the importance of the world's water supplies being polluted, urging that "avoiding meat will do more for the environment than recycling or driving a hybrid car.”

Whether admiring Carrie Bradshaw wearing one of her wedding dresses in the beloved Sex And The City TV series (yes Carrie, Vivienne Westwood really did kick that sweet little suits arse), or standing with her during her many protests, Westwood's contribution to the fashion industry and to climate change has been substantial, and her influence still resonates with many people today, earning her an O.B.E by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1992 and of course, a damehood by the then, Prince Charles in 2006. Her legacy has inspired countless designers, musicians, activists, fashionistas and artists alike, and her designs continue to be celebrated by fashion enthusiasts worldwide. In conclusion, and even after her passing, Dame Vivienne Westwood is a fashion icon who revolutionized the fashion industry with her daring and unconventional designs. With her distinct approach to fashion, she has created a legacy that will continue to inspire all walks of life, regardless of background or personal opinions.