Punk to Politics – Vivienne Westwood
Punk to Politics – Vivienne Westwood

A stalwart of British fashion, Vivienne Westwood has always been one to push the boundaries.

Bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream, she has been credited with creating the ‘Punk Rock’ style.

Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood

The Birth of Punk Rock Fashion

Late 1960s London was still swinging with the hippie movement, but, uninspired, Vivienne Westwood and boyfriend and manager of the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren turned to edgy biker clothing, zips, rips and leather. Opening up their first shop, ‘Let It Rock’, they appealed to the rebellious set, designing t-shirts with provocative messages and indulging their unwavering stance, inspired by the shock value of punk.

The Catwalk Collections

From these defiant foundations, it almost seems counter-intuitive that Vivienne Westwood’s career would be so enduring and popular. But it is from these rebellious beginnings that her brand grew and developed. Never afraid to innovate and recreate, Westwood’s catwalk shows and collections demonstrate her evolution and creativity.

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood’s collections have followed her fascinations over the decades, from punk to ‘Tatler’ girls, parodying the upper classes, her designs remaining original and groundbreaking.

Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Pirates – AW 1981-82 – showed historical dress with original cuts together with Asymmetry – inspired by plundering history and Third World
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Punkature – SS 1983 – inspired by desert landscape, used distressed fabric and recycled junk
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Hypnos – SS 1984 – named after the Greek god of Sleep – the collection was sporty and active, the opposite of sleep.
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
The Mini-Crini of 1985 – inspired by ballet Petrushka and the Queen as a child. Combination of two conflicting ideas – the crinoline – restricting and encumbering, and the mini skirt – highlighting the liberation of women

..not forgetting THAT famous tumble by Naomi Campbell… wearing the iconic platform heeled Super Elevated Gillie shoes

Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood

Fighting for rights

Never one to shy away from causes she believes in, Westwood has lent her name to a variety of causes over the years. From human rights to climate change, she has used her catwalk as a platform to demonstrate her support of campaign groups.

Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
In 2005, Westwood joined forces with the British civil rights group Liberty to raise awareness and protest holding prisoners without trial.
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
The infamous Buffalo hat accompanied Westwood’s collection dedicated to Chelsea Manning

The Burning Punk Barge

Off the catwalk, Westwood’s most recent notable demonstration was a protest to encourage the use of renewable energy. Together with her son, founder of Agent Provocateur, Joseph Corré, she burned £5million of punk rock memorabilia on a barge in the River Thames.

Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood

Celebrity fans

World-renowned celebrities adore Vivienne Westwood, with her collections gracing the red carpet at every event. Perhaps the most notable recent appearance is her Mountain or Buffalo Hat – made famous by Pharrell Williams at the 2014 Grammy Awards. Created in 1982 for Westwood and McLaren’s third runway show, Buffalo Girls (Nostalgia of Mud), the hat was a part of the collection inspired by the traditional dress of Peruvian women. Having been available for over 30 years, the Buffalo Hat has only just become an international icon for the Westwood brand.

Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Christina Ricci
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Donna Air
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Paloma Faith
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Pharrell Williams. Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
The Buffalo Hat Image: World’s End

Latest collections

Her latest collections include the famous asymmetric necklines, nipped waists and eccentric design that we know and love as Vivienne Westwood.

Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
The latest catwalk collection
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
Campaigns and couture
Punk to Politics - Vivienne Westwood
The couture bridal collection… and the lady herself

At 76 years old, Vivienne Westwood is still riding high. Creating couture bridal gowns, evening wear and runway collections, she currently has 63 outlets across the world. Supported by her husband, designer Andreas Kronthaler, her empire just keeps getting stronger.