Remembering the icon Vivienne Westwood's most memorable moments on her birthday

On the 29 December 2022 we lost a true icon. Dame Vivienne Westwood will be remembered not just for her career in fashion but as the absolute punk-rebel and as a political activist too.

It’s crazy to think that the fashion designer was once a primary school teacher, but thankfully for us decided to throw all of that away and focus solely on making clothes and jewellery. Vivienne even dropped out of Harrow Art School after just one term as she ‘didn’t like ‘ that they had to draw all the time as she just wanted to make clothes. Despite all of this, she became the phenomenal designer we came to love and adore.

Vivienne Westwood will forever be an inspiration and today - on what would have been her 82nd birthday - we are celebrating by taking a look back at just some of the most memorable moments throughout her career.

Fashion

We can’t talk about Vivienne without mentioning her clothing designs and elaborate catwalk shows. In 1981 ‘Pirates’ was the first collection she created with Malcolm McLaren under the ‘Worlds End Boutique’ brand. The collection was filled with ‘new-romantic’ style and yes ‘Pirate’ aesthetic including hats. Only Vivienne would be able to make pirate chic look good.  

OBE

In 1992 the fashion designer was photographed outside Buckingham Palace as she was awarded the prestigious honour of OBE (Order of the British Empire) from Queen Elizabeth II. 

The paparazzi got to see a lot more of Vivienne than they were expecting. The designer wasn’t wearing any knickers under her tailored grey skirt and as she twirled round she gave the photographers a full view of everything. Not that she cared. And it was rumoured the Queen also saw the funny side. Vivienne was invited back in 2006 and was made a Dame.

 Supermodels

Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss were only only too happy to walk down the runway at Vivienne Westwood's fashion shows. However, in 1993 Naomi famously toppled over as she walked the runway for Vivienne in Super High 13-inch purple platform shoes. 

In 1994 Kate shocked audience members as she walked down the catwalk topless. Covering her modesty with her arm and wearing a micro mini skirt whilst eating an ice-cream. 

Politics 

Never one to shy away from speaking her mind, Vivienne was as passionate about her political views as she was about fashion. Vivienne wanted to help the environment and understood the impact fashion has on it. 

She used her platform and fashion shows as a way to share her message and protest for change. The fashion designer even coined the term “Buy Less, Choose Well, Make it Last” as a way to encourage people and think about their impact on the planet.