An iconic fashion designer who hung with the likes of Johnny Rotten, her political designs are more on point now than ever.
From Vivienne’s provocative pieces to her designs that criticized and mocked the harsh tactics of the government, Westwood has continued to shock and inspire the world with her striking and somewhat taboo collections. Gracing the earth in 1941, this woman has had such a big impact on fashion and fashion will never be the same. and she poses as a radical designer because of this. Some may question how she is a radical designer and the answer is simple. With every design and collection Vivienne defies the fashion norms by protesting and making an important statement to the world that no other designers were openly doing at the time. Her 70’s collections featured “anything to annoy adults” so this was things like rapist masks, gay cowboys, wild fetish clothing, razor blades as accessories and destroyed t shirts with the queen's face corrupted. Basically anything that expressed treason, marxism, blasphemy or sexual perversion. She acted as a HUGE “two fingers up to the government” which attracted those rebellious punk teens.
Most of us are just too scared to rebel and say what we want to say, with very few of us being a true rebel. The duo of the iconic Westwood and McLaren is the truly the definition of rebellion and acted as the kick-start for Vivienne's career as a radical designer. With the opening of the shop SEX they were able to birth “a spiritual home for punk fashion that served as a landmark for the emerging subculture in the 70s”. The pair enjoyed designing shocking wild costumes that were sold to prostitutes and other outfits that expressed radicalism in fashion A.K.A anti fashion. The original inspiration for the two was the growing impact that the punk scene was having which was invading the streets of London throughout the 70’s. Punk. Known as the powerful partnership between fashion and music which the designers clashed together to attract the youths. expressing anger and rebellion in its music and fashion. Revolutionists The Sex Pistols acted as a voice for Westwood and were often styled in her punk clothing to show off her opinions and influence more of the inspiring punk youths who like Vivienne, were frankly sick and tired of the government that felt did not deserve them.
But she was not just impacting the 70’s she is impacting now. And she is “Fashion’s last true rebel”. breaking the boundaries like never before even today but still adding dashes of that punk vibe that we all know and love her for. Her latest SS18 collection features dark tartans, oversized safety pins and damaged and reconstructed items that are not necessarily wearable but make a statement of “saying fuck off to authority by using your resources the best way you can whether you're rich or poor”. This collection inspired us all by singing “I hear the fire talking / the young people are wonderful / and the future is with Corbyn.” as the fierce models walked the stage. This is a fuck you to the conservatives and a message to the younger generation. To protest and fight for change and follow the greatness of corbyn rather than the ugliness of May. Still she is inspiring us all. "We've got to believe that we've still got a chance to save the world. But it's so urgent, we have to do it now."
CREDIT :: Demi Holmes @ Demi Holmes
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