The Life and Legacy of

Dame Vivienne Westwood.

By Meg J Gardner Published: Jan 18th 2023

The late and great British Designer Vivienne Westwood was a woman who never failed to shock or surprise. Renowned for her iconic disregard for conformity, she worked her way from primary-school teacher, to a national treasure we will never forget.  

Since the 1970s, Vivienne Westwood became an iconic figure in the fashion industry with a career spanning 5 decades. For those who are unfamiliar with Westwood's origins, she initially studied on a jewelry and silversmith degree in London, later switching to become a primary school teacher. It was during this time in the 1960s when Westwood met Malcolm McLaren (Westwood’s second marriage). They opened up a small shop to sell their designs on the Kings Road in Chelsea, London. Westwood would go on to become a household name and one of Britain’s most celebrated fashion designers of all time. 

The influential designer was unchangeably controversial and revolutionary with her designs. Often blending historical silhouettes with classic tailoring, harder-edged design and overtly political messages. Her use of tartan often set her work apart from the rest, and with inspiration taken from places such as the ballet Petrushka, Pagans and Victorian fashion, it is not difficult to see why her designs became so iconic.

“A national treasure we will never forget” 

But it wasn’t just her designs that earned Westwood her legendary reputation, it was also her beliefs and reasonings behind her designs. Many described her as an activist, as well as a fashion designer, due to her involvement in causes such as climate change and over-consumption. She was a rebel never without cause. Having supported charities and campaigns such as Amnesty International, War Child and Liberty, as well as being ambassador for Greenpeace, she was highly passionate about being loud and proud about her thoughts, and demanded people stand alongside her.

My first, and very vivid, memory of coming across Westwood was seeing an interview near the start of her career with Sue Lawley in 1988. Watching Lawley attempting to discredit, tear apart and mock Westwood’s work was almost embarrassing and in more recent times, made viewers rather angry. The interview clearly highlighted society’s dislike for those who push boundaries and overly criticized nonconformists. Yet this isn’t the only example of an interview in which Westwood was mocked. It happened again in 1991, on Newsnight, with Westwood being asked, “How do you justify the preservation of this industry, such as it is, when it serves such little purpose?”. It is likely that the attack on Westwood and her work was a result of the then-society feeling threatened by her presence and unconventional views and beliefs, something we revel in, in the present day.

However, they didn’t get to have the last word! Westwood went on to win British Designer of the Year 3 times - no one was mocking her work then! She also went on to be awarded an OBE and an MBE, the former by the late Queen Elizabeth. Westwood wore sheer tights under her dress for the occasion, which resulted in her own Marilyn Monroe moment. However, Vivienne reportedly mentioned that she’d heard a rumor the resulting images amused the Queen. 

Her penchant for standing out in the crowd and making chaos was exemplary. To have looked the world in the face when it mocked her, and successfully made people listen and understand, is nothing less than inspiring. Rest in peace dear Vivienne…although somehow, peace seems like the wrong word.

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