Written by Megan Kamanga

8 April 1941 – 29 December 2022.

Today marks a month since the passing of Vivienne Westwood and we look back on a life and legacy that’ll live on forever, the legacy of Dame Vivienne Isabel Westwood. A woman who strived to change the world, a woman with a plan, an icon known for her political campaigns both in and out of our shows, whose work embodied an unruly spirit whilst defying and conquering all that is fashion.

The story of how a primary school teacher from a small village in England became a staple figure in punk culture. Westwood was born on the 8th of April in 1941. Although coming from humble beginnings could have hindered her motivation, this only fed her passion. she spent her childhood watching her mother sew clothes for her and her siblings, in her teenage years she quickly adopted her mother’s skills by sewing second hand pieces and teaching herself the detail behind the construction of clothing.

A few years later, in 1958, her family moved to London where she attended the harrow school of art, taking a course in Fashion and Goldsmithing. However, she when left the school to take o a more ‘stable’ career where she was guaranteed a job – teaching…

SEX Boutique (1974-1976).

In 1974 Westwood and her partner McLaren Westwood opened their punk style inspired boutique, SEX, which its sales incorporated pieces in other brands as well as those designed by themselves. after opening SEX, McLaren founded a punk rock band known as the Sex Pistols whose name was heavily influenced by the boutique’s name and assisted in the promotion of SEX. McLaren managed them whilst Vivienne took on the role as their stylist.

A few years after SEX being open the name changed to Let It Rock, selling vintage clothing, rock and roll collections and Vivienne’s pieces until 1981 where they ended their romantic relationship. they did remain business partners for 4 years, and launched their debut show titled ‘pirate’ until Vivienne began her career as an independent designer.

Vivienne has always taken in upon herself to highlight and voice her political opinions through her work and this begun here. one of the store’s employees was even arrested for public indecency after being seen sporting one of Westwood’s shirts of naked cowboys.

SEX as an establishment can be recognized by many as a threat to the punk culture as it took away from anti consumerist and corporate ethos and instead allowed it to become a fashion statement. to protest the years of constant condemning of her and her brand, in 2016 Westwood’s son took it upon himself protest these statements by burning approximately 6 billion pounds worth of punk archive

Iconic Moments In Her Career: