Vivienne Westwood: The Designer Who Changed the Game

04.02.2023 - 21:32

Vivienne Westwood, the designer who created a unique style by combining the fashion world and Punk culture since the 70s, died at the age of 81. Let's take a look at the famous designer's career and the legacy she left behind.

Vivienne Westwood, the 81-year-old fashion designer known as the 'Queen of Punk', died on December 29 in her native England.

The news, which grieved the fashion world, was shared with her fans through the official Instagram account of Westwood's self-titled brand.

29th December 2022.
Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London.

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.

Born in 1941 in England as Vivienne Isabel Swire, the designer was born into a working-class family of three children.

Her family's talent for handicrafts influenced young Vivienne, so much so that she was able to make her first pair of shoes at the age of 5.

Westwood, who officially stepped into her fashion career in the early 1970s, was influenced by the culture by meeting the important names of the Punk music industry, which was on the rise at the time.

She took her first step in her career and brought innovation to the fashion industry by opening a shop with Malcom McLaren in London, where she sold designs inspired by unconventional fetishes.

The duo started designing their own collections in the 80s, combining the influence of punk style with the romanticism of the Renaissance period to create their own unique line.

Westwood quickly established herself as a popular designer among the fashion circles and in 1992, she was awarded the British Empire Medal by Queen Elizabeth II.

Even the most famous supermodels of the catwalks admire Westwood's outfits, including Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, Zendaya, Kim Kardashian and Princess Eugenie of York.

In fact, in the wedding scene of 'Sex and the City', which broke ratings records, Sarah Jessica Parker wore the famous wedding dress by Westwood.

This famous dress that Rihanna wore at the Victoria's Secret fashion show at the end of 2012 was also by Westwood.

The designer, who published her autobiography in 2014, described her approach to fashion by saying: "The reason I am in the fashion world is that I don't like conformity. Nothing with no specific identity interests me.''

The corsets, mini-crinis, lighters and incredibly high heels identified with the name Westwood are still iconic pieces.

Westwood's life view is not only reflected in her style; the designer, who describes herself as an activist in her personal life, has supported issues such as climate crisis, gender equality, LGBTI+ rights for years.