Vivienne Westwood (England), clothing and accessories

Vivienne Westwood (1941 - 2022) was an English fashion designer and businesswoman, largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream. She was born in the village of Tintwistle, Cheshire, England. She studied at the Harrow School of Art and the University of Westminster, taking courses in fashion and silver-smithing, but left after one term. She then became a primary school teacher.

In 1965, Westwood met Malcolm McLaren, who would become her partner and manager. They opened a boutique on King's Road in London, which they renamed SEX in 1974. The boutique sold Westwood's designs, which were inspired by punk rock and other subversive movements. Westwood's designs were often controversial and provocative. She used safety pins, razor blades, and other unconventional materials to create clothes that were both stylish and rebellious. She also incorporated political and social messages into her designs.

In the more... early 1980s, Westwood began to move away from punk and towards more traditional fashion. She continued to experiment with new ideas and techniques, but her designs became more sophisticated and polished. In 1981, Westwood had her first runway show in London. She continued to show her collections in London and Paris throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Her designs were worn by celebrities such as Madonna, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss.

Westwood was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1992 and the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2006. She was also named British Designer of the Year three times. Westwood was a passionate activist for environmental causes and human rights. She used her platform to raise awareness of issues such as climate change and nuclear disarmament.

Westwood died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 81. She is considered to be one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century. less...