Dame Vivienne Westwood has passed away, aged 81 years old. In a statement released to the press, her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler shared these sweet words: 'I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling.'
The report continues that she died peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home in South London.
More than simply a fashion designer with a career that spanned six decades, the mark that Westwood made on Britain's cultural landscape was profound. Arbiter of anarchic ideals, fearless eco warrior, brave protester and godmother of punk are among the many titles bestowed on her by fans and disciples.
Helping to shape the punk movement as it grew out of the late 70s and early 80s, she and former husband Malcolm McLaren brought us the Sex Pistols and birthed the now infamous 'SEX' shop which outraged the entire borough of Chelsea. She also delivered to us the 'mini-crini' skirt, subverting royal tropes like corsetry and crinolines to make them provocative, risqué and to upset the status quo.
Born in Derbyshire in 1941, Westwood had no formal training in fashion design, instead teaching herself to make clothes as a teenager by following patterns and analysing the construction of pieces she found in second-hand markets. Her creative flair, talent and unique outlook, however, were immediately clear, and her first show in 1981, for the now-legendary 'Pirates' collection show, firmly placed her on the global fashion map once and for all.
From a game-changing use of drapery and construction that celebrated the female form to slogans that challenged our political affiliations and campaigns that questioned our attachments to clothes at all as we confront the damage they do to the planet, year after year, Westwood worked to reimagine the lens through which we view fashion.
As her namesake label became a global phenomenon, the designer used her platform to speak out about the issues that mattered to her most: in 2007, she published a manifesto entitled Active Resistance To Propaganda; in 2009, she launched her climate manifesto on a flight with Richard Branson, forcing him to listen, and in 2015 she drove a military tank to David Cameron's house (then Prime Minister) to protest against fracking – to name but a few of the innumerable examples of her activism. Her runways were often used as places of protest, too, from models carrying signs demanding fair trials for prisoners of Guantanamo Bay to acting as an opportunity for Westwood to set out the urgency for climate revolution.
In the wake of her death begins a deluge of tributes from fans, friends and industry giants. Among them, legendary British milliner Stephen Jones said: 'Without Vivienne no Rei, John, Lee and a hundred others. She changed my life when we first met in 1976 forever. You were the Queen. Thank you for all you gave us.'
Marc Jacobs said: 'I continue to learn from your words, and, all of your extraordinary creations. I will always remember the night we bonded over our mutual love for Yves Saint Laurent. You never failed to surprise and to shock. I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas. Rest in Peace dear Vivienne, although, somehow peace seems like the wrong word to use.'
Fellow British fashion designer and eco warrior Stella McCartney also posted a heartfelt tribute via Instagram: 'I cannot believe I am writing this... Today, we lost one of the most rare British icons of fashion ever. Vivienne Westwood inspired my career as a designer with bravery and bollocks. She invented punk. I remember sitting with her for hours at Juergen Teller’s birthday dinner as she gently analysed the corner of the table cloth, folding it with precision like Japanese origami... I realised she was creating a tiny pattern and designing a zero-waste object, with little challenge. She was a genius. Vivienne invented historic fashion design moments that woke us all up and shook the industry to its core. She led the way forward, never apologising for exposing unjust wrongs in the world and asking uncomfortable questions. Vivienne said it like she saw it. She wanted to make fashion better. Vivienne pushed every single boundary and held her head so high. She was cheeky, irreverent and had the truest fuck-you vibe I have ever known. I have never ever met anyone else like her. I hope more become like her… More fight like her, More create like her, More celebrate like her. Thank you Dame Vivienne Westwood for all you gave us. You will live on forever. God save Westwood… Punk rock will never die. x Stella'
Some of the world's most iconic models who worked closely with Vivienne Westwood have also paid tribute to the late designer, including Helena Christensen and Christy Turlingon – who penned a note of thanks to the late Dame for 'staying so true to your principles and values and most importantly, for leading the way with spunk and with humor…'
ELLE UK's Editor-in-Chief, Kenya Hunt said: 'The passing of Dame Vivienne Westwood is a huge loss for fashion, and the world at large. Her influence not only permeates what we wear today, but also how we regard the meaning and purpose of style. Before it became commonplace for designers and fashion houses to speak out around social, environmental and political issues, Vivienne Westwood was there, decades ago, speaking truth to power like the queen of punk she was. She used her platform to challenge the world to be and do better, and in the process inspired generations of designers and fashion lovers to do the same.'
Fashion Features Director of Another Magazine Alexander Fury said: 'Through punk, she fundamentally affected the way humanity looks at culture, shifting far more than dress. But when it comes to dress, her work was revolutionary. Alongside Gabrielle Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, her work has had the greatest impact on modern clothing. Although ‘modern’ is a word she loathed. Maybe ‘fashion’ was too - because Westwood constantly chafed at the restrictions of fashion, because she always wanted to communicate something bigger, somehow more vital than just how you look. She said it best herself: “You have a more interesting life if you wear impressive clothes.” Hers were the most impressive.'
