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The Bibliography of Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood was a British fashion designer known for her clothing. She was born in a village in Derbyshire in 1941 and was the daughter of a factory worker and cotton weaver. Her family then relocated to the greater London area and she decided to enroll in the Harrow School of Art, which is now known as the University of Westminster. However, she dropped out after just one semester to pursue something more practical. She was trained as a primary school teacher while studying jewelry-making at night, which later defined her career in fashion. She worked as a teacher and had little connection to fashion design until she met Malcolm McLaren.

The Birth of Punk Fashion

In the mid-1960s, Vivienne Westwood met and lived with Malcolm McLaren, who was a future manager of the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols was a rock group who created the British punk movement. She contributed to creating the band’s raw, rebellious image through fashion design. Westwood designed the band’s clothing and invented the punk aesthetic with the ripped shirts, safety pins, and controversial graphics on the clothing. Styling the Sex Pistols became a key part of the early punk movement. Together, they opened a boutique in 1971 and Westwood designed the clothing sold there. The boutique was initially called Let It Rock and was renamed to Sex. The opening of the Sex boutique became the birthplace of the punk fashion movement. They broke up in the late 1970s, however, they continued to work together in the fashion business.

Influence on Nana

One of the examples of her cultural influence beyond fashion is her impact on Nana, a popular Japanese anime series. Ai Yazawa, the creator of Nana, has openly acknowledged Vivienne Westwood as a major inspiration, particularly in shaping the punk-inspired character of Nana Osaki. Nana Osaki is characterized as a lead singer of a punk rock band. Therefore, her style is heavily influenced by Vivienne Westwood’s aesthetics, with ripped clothing, leather jackets, and Westwood’s iconic Orb jewelry and armor rings. Even today, Westwood’s influence goes far beyond fashion.

Vivienne Westwood Brand Today

Today, Westwood’s designs are worn by many celebrities such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, and K-pop idols. The pearl Orb necklaces especially became a huge trend, especially in the early 2020s among younger consumers. The Vivienne Westwood brand has expanded worldwide, with flagship stores in major fashion capitals such as Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, London, Paries, Shanghai, and many more.

Signature Design Elements

The signature design elements of Vivienne Westwood’s work include the iconic Orb logo. Another prominent feature of her designs is the use of layered, draped fabrics in clothing. Westwood’s collections also often feature check prints, particularly the Scottish tartan, which she famously popularized in the fashion world. Punk-inspired accessories further enhance her designs, incorporating elements like safety pins and chains to challenge traditional notions of beauty and fashion. Together, these distinctive elements create a bold, rebellious punk image of a brand.

Continuation of the Vivienne Westwood Brand After Her Passing in 2022

After Vivienne Westwood’s passing in 2022, the brand continued to evolve while staying true to its punk origins under the continued leadership of her husband, Andreas Kronthaler, who took over as a creative director. His long-time partnership with Westwood allowed him to carry on her rebellious, avant-garde, punk-inspired aesthetics. The brand has been involved in collaborations such as the recent partnership with Palace, a London streetwear brand. Moreover, Vivienne Westwood’s designs have evolved from heavily punk-inspired, disruptive, rebellious clothing to more wearable styles, making them more suited for daily life. Their clothing has become more polished and practical for modern life over time. Despite her passing in 2022, the Vivienne Westwood brand remains powerful and influential in the fashion industry.