Vivienne Westwood

How do you define a legend?

Vivienne Westwood is provocative, awe inspiring, avant garde, unique, rebellious, and a true original. When you own a garment by Vivienne Westwood, you own a piece of art that stands the test of time.

Always a cut above the rest, Vivienne Westwood studied the tailoring techniques of historical garments using time-honored techniques to brand her own interpretation of style. Her self-taught, unique vision brings a passion of living and exciting feminine expression into her garments. Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania women’s clothing line is known for its asymmetrical cuts and delightful draping techniques which masterfully transform the body into an eye-catching art form. The Vivienne Westwood Anglomania line includes dramatically desirable dresses, jackets, sweaters, suits, beautiful blouses, tempting tops, and sensational skirts. Vivienne Westwood masterfully accentuates the allure of the feminine figure, through her gorgeous garments. She breathes life into the cloth and masterfully manipulates masterpieces through her draping and cut of the cloth on the feminine figure transforming the wearer into a beautiful creature.

Discover a treasure of delights with the opulent obsession of the Vivienne Westwood jewelry collection. Vivienne Westwood’s jewelry collection contains unique rings, breathtaking bracelets and necklaces, cufflinks, key chains, exciting earrings, pins, and beautiful brooches for both men and women.

Vivienne Westwood is one of most fabulous and influential designers of all time. She was born on April 8, 1941 as Vivienne Isabel Swire. She taught primary school in North London. Vivienne’s first husband was Derek Westwood. She had one son with Derek, named Ben who later became a photographer.

Vivienne met Malcolm McLaren who was a friend of her brother. Malcolm and Vivienne became friends and Malcolm faked being sick for awhile to get Vivienne to take care of him and to be near her. Malcolm McLaren was the manager for the Sex Pistols and Vivienne designed the clothing for the band. Vivienne Westwood also designed clothing for the New York Dolls and other bands. Vivienne was one of the first original designers when the punk movement started. Many of her garments are now collectable. The V&A museum in London had an exhibition of Vivienne Westwood styles from 2004-2005.

In 1970, Malcolm and Vivienne opened a shop on 430 King's Road in London called Let It Rock. They sold clothing targeted at the London Teddy Boy scene. Vivienne designed clothing for the store. The shop eventually went through a few incarnations. In 1972, the store became Too Fast to Live Too Young to Die and featured t-shirts with provocative slogans, leather clothing, and garments with zippers and chains. In 1974, the shop transformed again. It was called Sex and featured S&M clothing. Sex became synonymous with the punk scene. Then the shop became Seditionaries. Today, Vivienne Westwood’s World’s End iconic boutique carries her limited edition special clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Vivienne and Malcolm’s son is Joseph Corre, who is the founder and owner of Agent Provocateur.

Controversy surrounds the style of Vivienne Westwood. Supermodel Naomi Campbell famously took a tumble modeling nine inch platform shoes at a 1993 Vivienne Westwood Anglomania fashion show. The incident made these shoes famous. Always pushing the envelope, Vivienne Westwood excitingly experiments with the extremes of fashion.

In 1992, Vivienne Westwood married her current husband and creative partner, Andreas Kronthaler. In the same year, Vivienne caused another controversy when she received the OBE award. She twirled in her skirt and was knicker-less! She repeated the incident again in 2006 when she met the Prince of Wales.

Vivienne has always been a caring and political person. In 2005, she teamed up with British civil rights group Liberty to launch exclusive limited design t-shirts. One reads, “I AM NOT A TERRIORIST, please don't arrest me!" The other shirt reads, “Liberty – Throw Away the Key.”

Vivienne Westwood collections include three women’s lines: Gold Label, Red Label, and Anglomania. She has a men’s line appropriately titled Man. Vivienne Westwood also designs a collection of bags, shoes, sunglasses, three perfume lines, and has multitude of stores all over the world!

“You have a much better life if you wear impressive clothes.” – Vivienne Westwood.