History of Vivienne Westwood in Timeline
Vivienne Westwood was a highly influential English fashion designer and businesswoman, pivotal in popularizing punk and new wave styles. Ranked among Britain's most influential artists of the last 50 years, she significantly impacted the fashion world with her innovative and rebellious designs.
April 1941: Vivienne Westwood's Birth in Cheshire
On April 1941, Vivienne Westwood was born in Hollingworth, Cheshire, England. Her father worked as a storekeeper and her mother's maiden name was Ball.
April 1941: Vivienne Westwood Born
Vivienne Westwood was born on April 1941. She would later become a significant figure in fashion, bringing punk and new wave styles to the mainstream.
1958: Family Moves to Harrow
In 1958, Vivienne Westwood's family moved to Harrow, Greater London. Following the move, she enrolled in a jewellery and silversmith course at the Harrow Art School before leaving.
July 1962: Marriage to Derek Westwood
In July 1962, Vivienne Swire married Derek Westwood in Harrow. Vivienne made her own wedding dress for the occasion.
1963: Birth of Ben Westwood
In 1963, Ben Westwood, Vivienne Westwood's son with Derek Westwood, was born. He became a photographer of erotica.
1967: Birth of Joseph Corré
In 1967, Joseph Corré, Vivienne Westwood's son with Malcolm McLaren, was born. He later founded the lingerie brand Agent Provocateur.
1971: Opening of Let It Rock Boutique
In 1971, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren opened Let It Rock, their first boutique, which featured designs influenced by 1950s youth subculture fashions.
1971: Continued Teaching and Clothing Design
Until 1971, Vivienne Westwood continued to teach while also designing clothes with Malcolm McLaren. This marked a period of dual focus in her early career.
1972: Refashioning into Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die
In 1972, Let It Rock was rebranded as Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die, paying homage to James Dean. While still selling Teddy Boy-inspired garments, the boutique adopted a rocker aesthetic with politically charged designs.
1974: Reopening as Sex Boutique
In 1974, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's boutique was remodelled and reopened as Sex. The garments sold were intentionally provocative and challenging, with designs grounded in fetish and sado-masochism.
1976: Transformation into Seditionaries
In 1976, Sex transformed into Seditionaries: Clothes for Heroes, retaining references to historicism, challenging gender norms, and fetish. The brand developed punk staples such as bondage trousers, mohair jumpers, and muslin tops with graphic designs.
1980: Worlds End Boutique
In 1980, Vivienne Westwood's boutique, located at 430 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, was renamed Worlds End after a brief closure. The boutique remains in its original location to this day.
1980: Use of Logo and Affection for Harris Tweed Cloth
In the late 1980's Vivienne Westwood commenced use of a logo which, acknowledged her connections with and affection for Harris Tweed Cloth. In 1980, both brands have very successfully collaborated to their mutual benefit.
1981: Pirate Collection
In 1981, McLaren and Westwood presented their first fashion collection, Pirate, which combined historical dress, British textiles, and African prints. This show was a significant departure, merging historical inspiration with contemporary couture.
1981: New Romantic Period
Vivienne Westwood dubbed the period of 1981 "New Romantic" and she created the look for Adam and the Ants.
1982: Westwood Buffalo Hat Collection
In 1982, Vivienne Westwood created the Buffalo hat collection that later became iconic when Pharrell Williams wore it to the Grammy Awards in 2014.
1982: Savages and Buffalo/Nostalgia Of Mud Collections
In 1982, Westwood and McLaren released the Savages and Buffalo/Nostalgia of Mud collections. The collections were released in Paris and London, and they thematically were titled Savages and Buffalo/Nostalgia Of Mud.
1983: Witches Collection
In early 1983, Westwood and McLaren showcased the Witches collection, which further explored thematic titles in their Paris and London shows.
1984: Worlds End 1984 Collection
In late 1984, Westwood and McLaren presented the Worlds End 1984 collection, later renamed Hypnos. After this collection, Westwood's partnership with McLaren ended.
1985: Inspiration from Petrushka
From 1985, Westwood drew inspiration from the ballet Petrushka to design the mini-crini, an abbreviated version of the Victorian crinoline.
1985: Clint Eastwood Collection
In late 1984-early 1985, Vivienne Westwood showcased the Clint Eastwood collection under the Worlds End label, marking her final collection after dissolving her partnership with McLaren.
1987: Mini-Crini's Influence
By 1987, Westwood's mini-crini had inspired the widely presented puffball skirts by more established designers, such as Christian Lacroix.
1987: 'Harris Tweed' Collection and Orb Logo Controversy
In 1987, Westwood showcased the 'Harris Tweed' collection. She launched her long-standing relationship with Harris tweed and adopted the Orb logo, sparking controversy due to its similarity to the Harris Tweed Authority's mark.
1988: "The Pagan Years"
In 1988, Westwood dubbed this period "The Pagan Years" during which her fashion parodied the upper class.
April 1989: Westwood Posed as Margaret Thatcher for Tatler Cover
In April 1989, Vivienne Westwood appeared on the cover of Tatler dressed as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, wearing a suit ordered for Thatcher, with the caption "This woman was once a punk".
1989: Description of the Mini-Crini
In 1989, the mini-crini was described as a combination of two conflicting ideals - the crinoline, representing restriction, and the miniskirt, representing liberation.
1990: Images at National Portrait Gallery
In 1990, the National Portrait Gallery began collecting images of Vivienne Westwood.
1992: Westwood Married Andreas Kronthaler
In 1992, Vivienne Westwood married Andreas Kronthaler, her former fashion student, marking a significant personal relationship.
1992: Westwood Appointed OBE
In 1992, Vivienne Westwood was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to fashion design. She wore sheer tights and a bikini top under her skirt when receiving the medal from Queen Elizabeth II.
1993: Designing for Duran Duran
In 1993, Vivienne Westwood designed many of the suits and outfits for Duran Duran's "The Wedding Album" tour, as well as the clothing featured in the music videos for "Ordinary World", "Come Undone", and "Too Much Information".
2000: Westwood Moved to Queen Anne Style House
In 2000, Vivienne Westwood moved from an ex-council flat to a Queen Anne style house in Clapham built in 1703, convinced by Andreas Kronthaler.
2002: Establishment of Latimo
In 2002, Latimo, an offshore company controlled by Vivienne Westwood as the majority shareholder in her companies, was established. This entity received annual payments from Vivienne Westwood Ltd for the use of her name on her fashion label.
2002: Sale of Trademark Rights to Latimo
In 2002, Vivienne Westwood's UK business sold the rights to her trademarks to Luxembourg-based Latimo, which she controlled, for £840,000. This deal was later examined by HMRC.
September 2005: Westwood Launches "I AM NOT A TERRORIST" T-shirts
In September 2005, Vivienne Westwood partnered with Liberty to launch limited-edition "I AM NOT A TERRORIST" T-shirts and baby wear, supporting habeas corpus and raising funds for the civil rights group.
2005: Dita Von Teese's Wedding Gown
In 2005, Dita Von Teese wore a purple Vivienne Westwood gown for her formal wedding ceremony when she married Marilyn Manson, highlighting Westwood's influence in high-profile events.
2007: Commission to Design Academic Gown
In 2007, Patricia Rawlings, Chair of King's College London, approached Westwood to design an academic gown for the college, following the college's successful petition to award degrees.
2007: Westwood Switches Support to the Conservative Party
In 2007, Vivienne Westwood announced on television that she had switched her support from the Labour Party to the Conservatives, citing concerns about civil liberties and human rights.
2007: Westwood Awarded Fellowship at King's College London
In 2007, Vivienne Westwood was awarded a Fellowship at King's College London, recognizing her contributions and influence.
2007: Westwood Spoke Out Against Consumerism
In a 2007 interview, Vivienne Westwood criticized what she called the "drug of consumerism", advising people to "buy something from me. Just don't buy too much."
2008: Westwood Designed Academic Gowns for King's College London and Received Honorary Degree
In 2008, Vivienne Westwood designed 20 new academic gowns and hoods for King's College London and received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from Heriot-Watt University for her contributions to the industry and use of Scottish textiles.
2008: Westwood's Designs Featured in Sex and the City Film
In 2008, Vivienne Westwood's designs were featured in the film adaptation of "Sex and the City," where Carrie Bradshaw modeled a Westwood wedding dress that was later gifted to her. The dress became iconic, leading to a version being sold on Net-a-porter.
2008: Unveiling of Academic Dresses for King's College
In 2008, Vivienne Westwood-designed academic dresses for King's College were unveiled. She linked the past, present, and future, commenting, "We are what we know."
2008: Vivienne Westwood Opus Published
In 2008, the Vivienne Westwood Opus limited edition was published for London Fashion Week, documenting her work as a unique work of art featuring large-format Polaroid photographs of Westwood, friends, and models.
2008: Westwood Participated in Anti-Nuclear Demonstration
On Easter Sunday in 2008, Vivienne Westwood personally participated in the largest Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament demonstration in a decade at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, Berkshire, demonstrating her commitment to activism.
December 2009: Westwood's Manifesto Staged as a Play
In December 2009, Vivienne Westwood's manifesto "Active Resistance to Propaganda" was adapted into a play and staged at the Bloomsbury Ballroom, starring Michelle Ryan, after being read at venues like the London Transport Museum.
2009: Marion Cotillard Wears Westwood at Premiere
In 2009, Marion Cotillard wore a red satin strapless Vivienne Westwood dress at the London premiere of her film Public Enemies, showcasing Westwood's designs in a high-profile event.
2009: Pharrell Williams Wore Westwood Buffalo Hat
In 2009, Pharrell Williams was first seen wearing a Westwood Buffalo hat, foreshadowing its later popularity at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
2009: Underestimation of Brand Value
Vivienne Westwood had underestimated the value of her brand in 2009, which resulted in a tax liability.
January 2011: Westwood Featured in Television Documentary
In January 2011, Vivienne Westwood was featured in the Canadian-made television documentary "Vivienne Westwood's London", showcasing her favorite parts of London.
July 2011: Presentation at The Brandery Fashion Show
In July 2011, Vivienne Westwood's collections were presented at The Brandery fashion show in Barcelona, showcasing her latest designs.
August 2011: Tax Payment to HMRC
In August 2011, Vivienne Westwood's company agreed to pay £350,000 in tax, plus £144,112 in interest, to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) due to underestimating the value of her brand in 2009.
2011: Princess Eugenie Wears Westwood Designs
In 2011, Princess Eugenie wore three Vivienne Westwood designs for the pre-wedding dinner, the wedding ceremony, and the after-wedding party at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
2011: Annual Payments to Offshore Company Latimo
Since 2011, Vivienne Westwood Ltd had been paying £2 million a year to the offshore company Latimo for the right to use Westwood's name on her own fashion label, which was set up in 2002.
March 2012: Agreement to End Franchise Relationship with Hervia
In March 2012, Vivienne Westwood Group reached an agreement to end its UK franchise relationship with Hervia, resolving a legal dispute. The transition of Hervia stores and cost savings led to a significant increase in pre-tax profits for Vivienne Westwood Ltd.
2012: Westwood Pushed for Assange's Release at London Fashion Week
In 2012, Vivienne Westwood used her appearances at London Fashion Week to advocate for Julian Assange's release by presenting "I am Julian Assange" t-shirts.
2012: Westwood Featured in Sgt. Pepper's Album Cover Recreation and Named a New Elizabethan
In 2012, Vivienne Westwood was selected by Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's album cover and was named one of The New Elizabethans to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
June 2013: Westwood Dedicated Collection to Chelsea Manning
In June 2013, Vivienne Westwood dedicated one of her collections to Chelsea Manning, featuring models wearing badges with Manning's image and the word "Truth" at her fashion show.
2013: Accusation of Greenwashing by Eluxe Magazine
In 2013, Eluxe Magazine accused Vivienne Westwood of greenwashing, criticizing her company's production of nine collections a year and use of harmful materials, despite her advocacy for buying less. Eluxe also reported complaints about unpaid interns working long hours.
2013: Cotillard at Chopard Lunch in Westwood Couture
In 2013, Marion Cotillard wore a Westwood Couture pink and ivory striped dress at the Chopard lunch in Cannes, reinforcing Westwood's presence in couture fashion.
October 2014: Publication of Vivienne Westwood's Biography
In October 2014, the authorized biography "Vivienne Westwood" by Ian Kelly was published, later receiving criticism for inaccuracies.
2014: Pharrell Williams Wore Westwood Buffalo Hat to Grammy Awards
In 2014, Pharrell Williams wore a Buffalo hat from Vivienne Westwood's 1982-83 collection to the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, popularizing the hat and inspiring a Twitter account dedicated to it. Williams had previously been seen wearing a similar Buffalo hat in 2009.
2014: Westwood Invested in Trillion Fund
In 2014, Vivienne Westwood acquired a controlling interest in the equity crowdfunding platform Trillion Fund.
2014: Images at National Portrait Gallery
In 2014, the National Portrait Gallery continued to collect images of Vivienne Westwood.
January 2015: Westwood Supported the Green Party
In January 2015, Vivienne Westwood publicly supported the Green Party, donating £300,000 to their election campaign, citing it as being in the best interests of the country and economy.
February 2015: Westwood Excluded from Green Party Tour
In February 2015, Vivienne Westwood was excluded from the Green Party's "We Are The Revolution" tour due to her tax avoidance practices, which conflicted with party policy, leading her to criticize the party's decision.
March 2015: Restructuring of Corporate Tax Arrangements
In March 2015, Vivienne Westwood announced that she was restructuring her corporate tax arrangements to align them with the Green Party's policy, reflecting her commitment to personal values and environmental concerns.
March 2015: Opening of Manhattan Outpost
In March 2015, Vivienne Westwood announced the opening of a three-story outpost in midtown Manhattan in New York City, expanding the brand's presence.
December 2015: Global Retail Presence
As of December 2015, Vivienne Westwood Ltd operated 12 retail stores in the UK and 63 stores worldwide, including locations in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States, showcasing the brand's global presence.
2016: Metropolitan Museum of Art Acquired McLaren Designed T-shirt
In 2016, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York acquired a Tits t-shirt designed by McLaren and sold at Seditionaries between 1976 and 1980, recognizing its cultural and historical significance.
2016: Opening of Paris Shop
In early 2016, Vivienne Westwood opened a new 3,200-square-foot shop in a building housing the company's offices and showrooms in Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, further expanding the brand's reach.
June 2017: Westwood Endorsed Jeremy Corbyn for 2017 General Election
In June 2017, Vivienne Westwood endorsed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for the 2017 general election, expressing excitement about the Labour Party manifesto's focus on fair wealth distribution.
2018: Documentary Film About Westwood Premiered
In 2018, the documentary film "Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist" premiered, offering insight into her life and career.
April 2019: Westwood Visited Julian Assange in Belmarsh Prison
In April 2019, Vivienne Westwood visited Julian Assange in Belmarsh Prison, continuing her long-term support for him.
November 2019: Westwood Supported Jeremy Corbyn in Open Letter
In November 2019, Vivienne Westwood, along with other public figures, signed a letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn, describing him as "a beacon of hope" and endorsing him in the UK general election.
2019: Trillion Fund Dissolved
In 2019, the Trillion Fund, in which Vivienne Westwood had a controlling interest, was dissolved.
July 2020: Westwood Protested Assange's Extradition in Birdcage
In July 2020, Vivienne Westwood protested outside London's Old Bailey against Julian Assange's extradition by suspending herself in a giant birdcage, describing herself as the canary in the coal mine.
2020: CIRCA Commission
In 2020, CIRCA commissioned Vivienne Westwood to present a video work on the Piccadilly Lights screen in London for her 80th birthday. The ten-minute film featured Westwood performing a rewritten rendition of "Without You" to warn against environmental catastrophes and the arms trade.
2021: Dua Lipa Wears Custom Westwood at Brit Awards
In 2021, Dua Lipa wore a custom Vivienne Westwood design on the red carpet of the Brit Awards, showcasing Westwood's continued influence in contemporary fashion.
March 2022: Westwood Designed Outfits for Assange's Wedding
In March 2022, Vivienne Westwood designed the outfits for Julian Assange's wedding to Stella Moris in Belmarsh Prison, including a kilt-based outfit for the groom and a dress with graffiti application for the bride.
December 2022: Death of Vivienne Westwood
In December 2022, Vivienne Westwood died in Clapham, London, at the age of 81.
December 2022: Vivienne Westwood's Death
Vivienne Westwood died in December 2022. Throughout her life, she became the 4th most influential artist in Britain of the last 50 years.
2022: ART LOVERS UNITE! Documentary Premiered
In 2022, the documentary "ART LOVERS UNITE!" starring Vivienne Westwood, directed by Patrick J. Thomas & Dacob, had its world premiere at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival in Australia.
January 2023: Private Funeral
In January 2023, a private funeral was held for Vivienne Westwood at Christ Church in Tintwistle, Derbyshire, the village where Westwood grew up. The church was decorated with MacLeod Harris Tweed tartan.
February 2023: Memorial Service
In February 2023, a memorial service for Vivienne Westwood was held at Southwark Cathedral in London.
