Vivienne Westwood died on December 29, 2022 at the age of 81. The designer shaped the fashion scene for over five decades. Her creations are characterized by androgynous cuts, wild patterns and provocative slogs.
Westwood is considered the inventor of punk fashion. In the 1970s, she founded a boutique on London’s King’s Road with her husband Malcom McLaren, who also managed the Sex Pistols. From there she built a fashion empire that now has locations in Europe, America and Asia.
The designer is not only closely linked to the punk movement, but over time she has found favor with artists worldwide who love her designs. That’s why we’ve put together a few of her most iconic looks and moments in memory of the fashion designer.
1. The Sex Pistols
Since Westwood was married to the Sex Pistols’ manager, she dressed the punk band. She dressed them in, among other things, tartan suits, ripped pants and T-shirts, often held together with safety pins. Singer Johny Rotten became synonymous with Westwood’s rebellious, casual style.
2. God Save The Queen T-Shirt
Westwood designed many graphics that she printed on T-shirts. Their best-known design and best-selling Sex Pistols fan item is the “God Save The Queen” T-shirt. You can see a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on it. However, her mouth and eyes are covered with the slogan and the band name. The picture shows Malcom McLaren in front of a collection of Sex Pistols items, including Westwood T-shirts.
3. Doja Cat
Westwood dressed the rapper at the American Music Awards in 2020. Doja Cat’s stylist said in an interview that the musician wanted to take a “risk” with the look and move away from “sexy mesh dresses with crystals.”
4. Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani attended the 2003 Grammy Awards in a retro ’50s-inspired dress by Westwood.
5. Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall
The designer was not only popular in the fashion world, but also in the music industry and maintained many relationships there. Including Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger (left), model Jerry Hall (center right) and their daughter Elizabeth (right).
6. Dua Lipa on the red carpet
Singer Dua Lipa was outfitted by Vivienne Westwood twice at the Brit Awards 2021. On the red carpet, she wore a custom-made gold dress…
7. Dua Lipa on stage
…and on stage she wore a Union Jack blazer in homage to Geri Halliwell’s iconic Spice Girls mini dress.
8. Zendaya at the Oscars
At the Oscars in February 2022, actress Zendaya appeared in a white dress by Westwood that was made especially for her.
9. Pharrell Williams’ hat
Westwood’s hat design caused a stir in 2014 after Pharrell Williams wore one of her oversized cowboy hats to the Grammy Awards. The singer combined this with a red track jacket and jeans.
10. The “Buffalo Hat”
The fashion designer created the hat design of the “Buffalo Hat” back in 1983. In the photo, the rappers The World’s Famous Supreme Team are also wearing the model. Watching here are the rappers, Malcolm McLaren (front, middle) and several models – all wearing outfits from the Vivienne Westwood “Buffalo” collection.
11. Boy George
Culture Club singer Boy George also performed “Buffalo Hat”. The singer was very inspired by Westwood’s designs. The fashion designer even designed his signature bowler hat for him.
12. Rina Sawayama’s tribute to Elton John
Singer Rina Sawayama appeared at “BST Hyde Park” in 2022 in a look that paid tribute to Elton John. It came entirely from the Westwood archives.
13. Pamela Anderson
The designer and the actress were good friends. That’s why Pamela Anderson often walked the catwalk for Westwood. In 2009, at the Paris fashion show, Anderson presented the look in the picture – a toga-like dress wrapped around her, combined with an upside-down tutu.