#Westwood: Punk Icon Activist

[polluteme]

[timidfaerie]

rest in peace to fashion icon vivienne westwood.

(8 April 1941 – 29 December 2022)

[belleandre-belle]

RIP Dame Vivienne Westwood🤘🏼🙏🏼🌹🖤🖤🖤

[dbguidebook]

Darling Bonnie's Movie Club | Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist. #societythings

[my18thcenturysource]

Portrait of Vivienne Westwood by Christian Shambenait

It took me a few days, but with the death of icon-goddess-genius Vivienne Westwood, I had to make a post here about her work and how massively influential she was during her lifetime, and why her influence will remain for years to come.

"I take something from the past that has a sort of vitality that has never been exploited – like the crinoline – and get very intense. In the end you do something original because you overlay your own ideas." Vivienne Westwood

Born in 1941 in Tintwistle, Cheshire, Vivienne Westwood (nèe Swire) did not have a "traditional" path into fashion and design, even though she took a course of jewellery at the Harrow Art School (she thought it was not for her, being a working-class girl), she became a primary school teacher and got married with Derek Westwood, had a kid... But she was a maker of things and a creative mind, and made her own wedding dress and jewellery that she sold at a stall.

Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood at the Let It Rock store (London, January 1972).

But all of that was about to change when she met Malcolm McLaren. She got divorced, moved with him and had another son. McLaren became the manager of the Sex Pistols and with Westwood, they became a creative duo who dressed the band and became VERY influential during th punk era. We must add the after that they opened a store called SEX, which was the meeting place for the punk scene in London in the 1970s. So, yeah. punk wouldn't look like it does without Vivienne Westwood.

"Vivienne and Malcolm use clothes to shock, irritate and provoke a reaction but also to inspire change. Mohair jumpers, knitted on big needles, so loosely that you can see all the way through them, T-shirts slashed and written on by hand, seams and labels on the outside, showing the construction of the piece; these attitudes are reflected in the music we make. It's OK to not be perfect, to show the workings of your life and your mind in your songs and your clothes." Viv Albertine

This era of Westwood's design has a lot of collaboration, especially with McLaren, and they produced under the Worlds End label until 1985. These collections have each a theme and a name, and here is when we star seeing Vivienne Westwood's eye and curiosity for historical fashion, as well as nods and details especially from the 18th and 19th centuries. Of course, it was the 80s and all was way more colourful than what we thing of more contemporary Vivienne Westwood, but you can see that EVERYTHING was already there in the period which she dubbed as "New Romantic" with collections like Witches, Punkature, and Pirate.

Raincoat and belt, from the 1983 Witches collection, Victoria & Albert Museum.

Ensemble from the 1982 Pirates collection, Victoria & Albert Museum.

Knitted top from the 1983 Witches collection, featuring Keith Haring's graffiti.

The 1988-1991 era is called "The Pagan Years", and we can see the change of the main looks from punks to girls in clothes that parodied the upper class. And it is then that I think the ultimate Vivienne Westwood is seen: corsets, crinolines, tartan, colourful stripes... Here is when we begin to see the historical references taken to a extreme, mixed with the modern word and sense of humour, while always being perfectly made and patterned and fun for all genders.

Here some of my favourite ones:

Vivienne Westwood black satin corset with metallic gold pattern, ss 1992 Stays, late 17th-early 18th century, Met Museum.

Vivienne Westwood autumn/winter 2020.

Fashion illustration on L’Elegant, 1853.

Carmagnole Jacket, France, c. 1790 / Sans-culotte Trousers, France, c. 1790, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Vivienne Westwood, autumn/winter 2021.

"Watteau" evening dress, 1996, Vivienne Westwood, Victoria & Albert Museum. "L’enseigne de Gersaint" (detail), Jean-Antoine Watteau.

Vivienne Westwood, autumn/winter 2022.

Portrait of Madame X, 1884, John Singer Sargent.

Madonna in her Fever video, 1993, wearing Vivienne Westwood. Gold leather corset, sleeves and mini skirt, 'Time Machine' ss 1988, Vivienne Westwood.

Always a creative force and a punk at heart, Vivienne Westwood was also an activist, putting front and center important causes like climate change, or sustainability and transparency in the brand's supply chain.

Rose McGowan walking the autumn/winter 2019 Vivienne Westwood catwalk.

Designer Vivienne Westwood looks through the glass toward the media during a photocall at a retrospective exhibition to celebrate her 30 years in the fashion industry, at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Tuesday March 30, 2004.

What is your favourite look/garment of this iconic designer? And does it have an historical reference? Let us all know!

[maximura]

I just finished watching Westwood: Punk, Icon And Activist. It's a documentary on Vivienne Westwood's life in fashion. All I could think was that there has never been one brand/designer/visionary who has matched Ateez so perfectly. There are also more Vivienne Westwood stores in South Korea than ANYWHERE else in the world (1 in 3 VW stores are in SK) so it's absolutely crazy to me that they have not found a partnership with each other tbh.

[dobaara]

wait you study fashion?? that is literally so cool!!! i really want to get into fashion more, could you recommend media, books or anything that could help? (if its not too much obviously hehe)

thank you!! of course I would love that!

movies & documentaries:-

The devil wears prada (2006) (it's a classic)

Cruella! (2021)

Mahogany (1975)

Funny face (1957) (audrey hepburn is stellar in this!!)

Who are you, polly maggoo? (1966)

Catwalk (1995) (personal favorite)

Westwood: punk. icon. activist (2018) (I did a shoot on Vivienne Westwood few months back and it is one of my personal favorites)

McQueen (2018)

Books:-

Supreme Models: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion

The Little Dictionary of Fashion - Christian Dior (I have this with me and I kinda like this)

Vogue: The Editor's Eye - (I have this with me too and this basically shows how important the role of editors has been in fashion and alsostudies the work of some of Vogue's legendary editors, including Polly Allen Mellen and Grace Coddington)

Grace: A Memoir (speaks of the aforementioned Grace Coddington and her rise to the fashion industry from her beginning days of being a model to her work with Anna Wintour)

The Battle of Versailles - when I learnt about this in class, I'll tell you, my jaw dropped! this was an iconic event that catapulted American fashion into worldwide fame!! it's one of my favorite events and I can go on and on about this!!!

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

Dame Vivienne Isabel Westwood DBE RDI British Fashion designer and climate change activist, who defined the look of punk, used rock iconography, royalty, art and religion as recurring motifs in collections that brought a rebellious edge to British style, and later she went on to a long career in high fashion, died Thursday in Clapham, South London, at age 81 💔

Largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new-wave fashions into the mainstream. Westwood’s fashion career got underway in earnest on the punk scene in 1970s London, and her collections influenced bands like the Sex Pistols and Siouxie and the Banshees.

Her provocative creations appeared on supermodels and celebrities and influenced mainstream fashion. The corsets, platform shoes and mini-crinis (a combination of Victorian crinoline and miniskirt) became her hallmarks.

She married Andreas Kronthaler, a former student of hers and 25 years her junior, in 1992. He became the creative director of her company and increasingly was responsible for design work in later years.

She was granted an Order of the British Empire medal in 1992, the designer accepted the honour from Queen Elizabeth II while wearing a sober grey skirt suit.

Vivienne Westwood, after receiving her OBE in 1992. Photograph: Martin Keene/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The designer was made a Dame for services to fashion in 2006

Westwood lobbied the British government to ban the retail sale of fur alongside other top designers including Stella McCartney.

Vivienne Westwood was the designer behind the iconic Carrie Bradshaw's Sex and the City Wedding Gown, a film which was released in 2008.

Per Vogue: The Cloud dress was first seen in the brand’s Gold Label 2007-08 collection and was re-designed by the designer specifically for the character.

The corset top was created in gold-backed ivory silk-satin duchess and the skirt from meters of ivory silk Radzimir taffeta, creating an exaggerated silhouette, nipped-in waist and a pointed sculptural bust.

By the 2000s, Westwood was designing wedding dresses for the likes of model Dita Von Teese, who dressed in her purple gown to marry singer Marilyn Manson and Princess Eugenie who wore Westwood designs for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine.

In addition, Westwood’s costuming work also included designing Miss Piggy’s wedding gown in the 2014 film Muppets Most Wanted. The Victoria and Albert Museum, which houses some of her works, described Westwood as a "true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion".

Westwood wrote regularly on issues of climate and social justice on her website.

#Vivienne Westwood #designer #WeddingGown #SexandtheCity #CarrieBradshaw

[bobbybones23]

R.I.P. Dame Vivienne Westwood @viviennewestwood a legendary fashion icon and activist who was a style revolutionary for the punk rock movement and beyond... 💔🧷🥀⛓️🖤 #VivienneWestwood #VivienneIsabelSwire #PunkFashionIcon https://www.instagram.com/p/CmxhMoypxMb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aiciglobal]

The Rebirth of Grunge: A Tribute to Vivienne Westwood

This term refers to both the musical genre and the fashion and cultural style that emerged in the 1990s, primarily associated with the music scene of Seattle and bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Grunge is characterized by a distorted sound, introspective lyrics, and an informal and unkempt aesthetic in fashion.

Grunge 2.0 has emerged as a prominent trend, featuring worn-out garments, ripped stockings, and mismatched plaids. This trend has been described as a tribute to the iconic Vivienne Westwood.

Vivienne Westwood passed away at the age of 81 in 2022. She left a significant legacy in fashion, being recognized for her innovative designs and nonconformist attitude, becoming an iconic figure of the UK punk aesthetic. Her influence in fashion and her commitment to various causes have positioned her as a legendary figure in the industry.

The influence of Vivienne Westwood on activist causes, such as sustainability, has been significant and endures as an integral part of her legacy. From her commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion to her activism on environmental issues, Westwood has used her platform to advocate for change and social awareness. Vivienne Westwood has been a passionate advocate for sustainability in fashion. Her collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative of the International Trade Centre, which began in 2010, has been an example of her ongoing commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion. This collaboration has helped improve living and working conditions in the fashion industry, demonstrating her influence in promoting more responsible practices.

Furthermore, Westwood has used her fashion shows as platforms to raise awareness about environmental and social issues. Her Climate Revolution platform, created to protest against extractivism and climate change, has been an example of her activism in favor of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

On recent fashion runways, a trend has caught the attention of designers and fashion enthusiasts alike: Grunge 2.0. This evolution of the original grunge style has emerged as a prominent trend, characterized by worn-out garments, ripped stockings, and mismatched plaids. It has been described as a tribute to the iconic designer Vivienne Westwood, who left an indelible mark on fashion with her punk approach and rebellious attitude.

Grunge 2.0 brings with it a nostalgic sensibility, recalling the rebellion and authenticity of the 1990s grunge movement. However, this new interpretation presents a renewed sophistication, combining worn-out elements with contemporary touches to create a style that is both casual and chic. Worn-out garments, unconventional plaid patterns, and ripped stockings are key elements of this trend, reflected in several renowned designers' collections. This reinterpretation of grunge has been acclaimed as a celebration of individuality and authenticity, reviving the anti-establishment aesthetic that defines the original movement.

Vivienne Westwood, known for challenging fashion norms and her avant-garde approach, has been honored with this tribute through the rebirth of grunge style. Her legacy as a pioneer in punk fashion and her lasting influence on the fashion world has inspired a new generation of designers to explore the grunge aesthetic in a renewed and exciting way.

Several designers have embraced the Grunge 2.0 trend, presenting collections that reflect this reinterpretation of style in contemporary fashion. Among them are Alexander Wang, Saint Laurent, and R13, who presented a modern interpretation with worn-out garments and a casual aesthetic that captured the essence of Grunge 2.0.

Vivienne Westwood has left a significant legacy as an advocate of sustainability and social activism in fashion, demonstrating that fashion can be a powerful tool to promote change and awareness in society. Her dedication and tireless efforts throughout her career have earned her this recognition for her remarkable trajectory. 

Join AICI today and give wings to your image consulting business 

To know more write us at vpmarketing@aici.orgOur website www.aici.org

[mewifilmclub]

Backlog HS23

11.10.23 Fashion Docs The True Cost (2015), McQueen (2018), Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist (2018) [Rachel]

19.10.23 Futureshocks (I) Grauzone (1979)

25.10.23 toxisch Phantom Thread (2017), Catfish (2010), Feels Good Man (2020)

16.11.23 Feminist Science Fiction Teknolust (2002), Advantageous (2015), Fast Color (2018) [Rachel/Tobias]

[johannaleong]

The Rebel Queen of Fashion : Vivienne Westwood

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, one name stands out as an indomitable force of rebellion and creativity - Vivienne Westwood. A true iconoclast, she has not only shaped the course of fashion history but has also fearlessly challenged societal norms with her daring designs and outspoken activism.

From punk rock roots to haute couture, Vivienne Westwood has constantly pushed the boundaries of fashion. In the 1970s, she burst onto the scene with her groundbreaking designs that encapsulated the punk ethos of rebellion and non-conformity. Her iconic collaboration with Malcolm McLaren birthed the punk movement, making her a visionary of her time.

Westwood's design philosophy is characterized by audacious combinations of traditional tailoring and provocative elements. Her corsets, bondage trousers, and safety-pin embellishments have become emblematic of her rebellious spirit. With a keen eye for detail and a fearless approach to fashion, she continues to challenge the status quo, inspiring generations of designers and fashion enthusiasts alike.

Beyond fashion, Vivienne Westwood is a passionate environmental activist. She uses her platform to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Her "Climate Revolution" campaign urges individuals and governments to take action, proving that fashion can be a powerful agent for social change.

Vivienne Westwood's impact on popular culture is immeasurable. Countless celebrities and musicians, including the likes of Madonna and the Sex Pistols, have embraced her creations, solidifying her status as an icon of subversive style. Her eponymous label continues to flourish, ensuring that her vision lives on.

Vivienne Westwood's fearless pursuit of artistic expression and activism has left an indelible mark on the fashion world and beyond. A true pioneer, she has consistently used her designs as a medium to challenge norms and ignite conversations about societal issues. As we celebrate her legacy, let us be inspired by her fearlessness and remember that fashion can be a powerful tool for making a positive impact on the world.

ー : week 2

[mediaonedesign]

Mediaonedesign.com - Teamsesh Frogs Bottom Text shirt

Buy this shirt:  Click here to buy this Mediaonedesign.com - Teamsesh Frogs Bottom Text shirt

From left to right Tory Burch Carolina Herrera, Armando Grillo Brandon Maxwell, Filippo Fior.The sparkles of gemstones and crystals needn’t be kept for evening hours. Designers paired cocktail jewelry with everything from knits to day dresses to gowns this season. Dame Vivienne Westwood the Teamsesh Frogs Bottom Text shirt it is in the first place but iconoclast, the rebel, the queen of punk, the activist. These are just some of the words used to describe the late and great designer. A shaper of the zeitgeist of a worshiper of youth culture is also true of the Dame because she not only gave us the iconic platform shoes and the boob corset, but she also gave us the pearl orb necklace. It first debuted in the ’80s, and for the next four decades, this necklace has been loved by many from Gen X to Y and now, finally, Z. Type in #viviennewestwoodjewellry into your TikTok search, and you will understand the importance of it—26.5M views is no joke! Whilst over on Instagram, you can catch more love for her pearl necklace.

A little background on the Teamsesh Frogs Bottom Text shirt it is in the first place but humble orb and pearl combo Legend has it the original inspiration came from a time when Westwood took a hiatus from her store in London after the final breakup with Malcolm McLaren and she spent some time in Italy. She was working on a royalty theme collection where she imagined what prince now King Charles might wear in his spare time, along with all the insignia of Britain à la the orb and the crown. As well as the royals, she was also inspired by astronomy magazines with photos of the galaxy and the planet Saturn and its ring system. So, to funk it up, Westwood added the satellite ring to the orb. It was sent out into the world in the 1987 fall show and has seen many revivals since then.

Home: Click here to visit our store: Mediaonedesign.com

[untitleddanny]

who was vivienne westwood

Vivienne Westwood is one of the most influential fashion designers of our time. Her unique designs have earned her a reputation as a leading figure in the fashion industry. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at who Vivienne Westwood was and what made her such a significant and respected figure in the fashion world.

Born in England in 1941, Vivienne Isabel Swire (later known as Vivienne Westwood) was the daughter of a weaver and a shoemaker. She attended art school in London and started designing clothes in the 1960s. Her early designs were heavily influenced by the punk rock movement, and she quickly gained a following for her provocative and rebellious designs.

In 1971, Westwood opened her first shop with her then-partner Malcolm McLaren, called Let It Rock. The shop specialized in clothing inspired by 1950s rockabilly and Teddy Boy style. Over the years, the shop changed names and locations several times, but it always remained a destination for fashion-forward customers looking for something edgy and unique.

Westwood's designs became increasingly influential in the 1980s, when she started incorporating elements of traditional British fashion into her punk-inspired designs. Her clothes were characterized by bold prints, exaggerated silhouettes, and a playful, irreverent spirit. She also became known for her use of historical references and cultural allusions, often incorporating images from art and literature into her designs.

Over the years, Westwood has continued to innovate and push boundaries in the fashion world. She has been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1992 and a DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) in 2006. She has also been the subject of several retrospectives and exhibitions, including a major exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2004.

In addition to her contributions to the fashion industry, Westwood has also been an outspoken activist and advocate for social and environmental causes. She has used her platform to raise awareness about issues like climate change, animal rights, and political activism. In 2019, she even launched a political party, the Climate Revolution Party, with the goal of promoting climate activism and sustainability.

In conclusion, Vivienne Westwood is a true icon of the fashion industry, known for her innovative designs, her irreverent spirit, and her commitment to social and environmental causes. Her influence can be seen in the work of countless designers who have followed in her footsteps, and her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and captivate fashion lovers for generations to come.