History of Vivienne Westwood in Timeline

Dame Vivienne Westwood was a highly influential English fashion designer and businesswoman credited with popularizing punk and new wave fashion. Her designs challenged convention and pushed boundaries, solidifying her status as a major figure in the fashion world. In 2022, she was recognized as one of Britain's most influential artists of the last 50 years.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

April 1941: Vivienne Westwood's Birth

In April 1941, Vivienne Isabel Swire, later known as Vivienne Westwood, was born.

1958: Family Moved to Harrow

In 1958, Vivienne Westwood's family relocated to Harrow, Greater London. She briefly attended the Harrow Art School, taking a jewellery and silversmith course, before leaving and eventually becoming a primary-school teacher and selling her own jewellery at a stall on Portobello Road.

July 1962: Marriage to Derek Westwood

In July 1962, Vivienne Westwood married Derek Westwood, an apprentice at the Hoover factory, in Harrow. She made her own wedding dress for the occasion.

1963: Birth of Son, Benjamin

In 1963, Vivienne Westwood gave birth to her son, Benjamin.

1967: Birth of Son, Joseph Corré

In 1967, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's son, Joseph Corré, was born.

1971: Opening of Let It Rock Boutique

In 1971, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren opened Let It Rock, their first boutique, which incorporated influences from the youth subculture fashions of the 1950s, and also included clothing, music, and décor of the immediate postwar era.

1971: Continued Teaching and Clothing Creation

In 1971, Vivienne Westwood continued to teach and create clothes which were designed by Malcolm McLaren.

1972: Let It Rock Re-fashioned to Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die

In 1972, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's boutique, Let It Rock, was refashioned into Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die, in homage to the death of James Dean. The new design inspirations focused on the rocker aesthetic of the 1960s, including sleeveless T-shirts bearing statements like ‘PERV’ and ‘ROCK’.

1974: Reopening of Boutique as Sex

In 1974, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren re-modelled their boutique and reopened it as Sex. The pieces sold were intentionally abrasive and challenging, designed with fetish and sado-masochism themes, seeking to provoke the middle class and inspire punks into political action.

1976: McLaren designs the "Tits" t-shirt, sold at Seditionaries

In 1976, McLaren designs the "Tits" t-shirt, sold at Seditionaries.

1976: Sex Transforms into Seditionaries

In 1976, the boutique Sex transformed into Seditionaries (Seditionaries: Clothes for Heroes). Clothing retailed at Seditionaries retained the familiar references of Sex, including historicism, the challenging of gender norms, and fetish, and included bondage trousers and 'unravelling' loose-knit jumpers made of mohair, and long-sleeved tops fashioned from soft muslins.

1980: McLaren designs the "Tits" t-shirt, sold at Seditionaries

In 1980, McLaren designs the "Tits" t-shirt, sold at Seditionaries.

1980: Boutique Renamed Worlds End

In 1980, Vivienne Westwood's boutique, originally managed with Malcolm McLaren, changed its name to Worlds End after a short period of closure. It remains in its original location at 430 Kings Road, Chelsea, London to this day.

1980: Vivienne Westwood Started Using The Orb Logo

In the late 1980’s, Vivienne Westwood commenced use of a logo which acknowledged her connections with and affection for the Scottish cloth, Harris Tweed. Despite initial mixed reactions, both brands have subsequently collaborated successfully.

1981: Pirate Fashion Collection

In 1981, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood showed their first fashion collection, Pirate, to the media and potential international buyers, which combined 18th and 19th century dress, British history and textiles with African prints.

1981: New Romantic Period

Vivienne Westwood dubbed the period 1981–85 as the "New Romantic" era, creating the look for the band Adam and the Ants.

1982: Westwood's 1982-83 collection features Buffalo hat

In 1982, the Westwood Buffalo hat was originally in Westwood's 1982-83 collection.

1982: Punkature Collection

In late 1982, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood released the Punkature collection in Paris and London.

1982: Buffalo/Nostalgia Of Mud Collection

In spring 1982, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood released the Buffalo/Nostalgia Of Mud collection in Paris and London.

1983: Witches Collection

In early 1983, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood released the Witches collection in Paris and London.

1983: Worlds End 1984 (Hypnos) Collection

In late 1983, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood released the Worlds End 1984 collection, later renamed Hypnos, in Paris and London.

1984: Worlds End: Clint Eastwood Collection

In late 1984, Vivienne Westwood showed one more collection under the Worlds End label: Clint Eastwood.

1985: Inspiration from Petrushka Ballet

In 1985, Vivienne Westwood took inspiration from the ballet Petrushka and started designing the mini-crini, an abbreviated version of the Victorian crinoline.

1985: Worlds End: Clint Eastwood Collection

In early 1985, Vivienne Westwood released the Clint Eastwood collection from Worlds End label.

1987: Mini-Crini Design Inspired Puffball Skirts

By 1987, Vivienne Westwood's mini-crini had a mini-length, bouffant silhouette that inspired the puffball skirts widely presented by more established designers such as Christian Lacroix.

1987: 'Harris Tweed' Collection Launch

In Autumn-Winter 1987/88, Vivienne Westwood showcased the 'Harris Tweed' collection. The collection is credited with reviving its use as a fashion fabric. She also adopted the use of the Orb logo, similar to the Orb Mark of the Harris Tweed Authority, which sparked controversy.

1988: The Pagan Years

Vivienne Westwood dubbed the period 1988-91 as "The Pagan Years", shifting her design focus to parody the upper class.

April 1989: Westwood appears on Tatler cover as Margaret Thatcher

In April 1989, Westwood appeared on the cover of Tatler dressed as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, wearing a suit that had been ordered for Thatcher but not yet delivered. The cover was later included in The Guardian's list of best UK magazine covers.

1989: Described the mini-crini.

In 1989, the mini-crini was described as a combination of two conflicting ideals – the crinoline, representing a "mythology of restriction and encumbrance in woman's dress", and the miniskirt, representing an "equally dubious mythology of liberation".

1990: Images at the National Portrait Gallery

Starting in 1990, The National Portrait Gallery holds 18 images of Westwood taken between 1990 and 2014, including those by Mario Testino, Jane Bown, Juergen Teller, Anne-Katrin Purkiss, and Martin Parr.

1992: Marriage to Andreas Kronthaler

In 1992, Vivienne Westwood married Andreas Kronthaler, who was her former fashion student.

1992: Westwood appointed OBE

In 1992, Westwood was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to fashion design. She wore sheer tights with a reinforced bikini top under her skirt to the ceremony, which was captured by a photographer.

1993: Designed Outfits for Duran Duran Tour

In 1993, Vivienne Westwood designed many of the colorful suits and outfits that Duran Duran wore during their tour for The Wedding Album, and in the music videos for "Ordinary World", "Come Undone" and "Too Much Information".

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2000: Move to Queen Anne style house

In 2000, Andreas Kronthaler convinced Vivienne Westwood to move from an ex-council flat on Nightingale Lane to a Queen Anne style house in Clapham built in 1703.

2002: Latimo was set up.

In 2002, Latimo was set up, which Westwood controlled as the majority shareholder in her companies.

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.

September 2005: Westwood launches 'I AM NOT A TERRORIST' T-shirts

In September 2005, Westwood collaborated with Liberty, a British civil rights group, to launch limited-edition T-shirts and baby wear bearing the slogan 'I AM NOT A TERRORIST, please don't arrest me' in support of habeas corpus.

2005: Dita Von Teese wore a purple Westwood gown

In 2005, Dita Von Teese wore a purple Westwood gown for her formal wedding ceremony when she married Marilyn Manson.

2006: Westwood advanced to Dame Commander (DBE)

In the 2006 New Year Honours, Westwood advanced from OBE to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) "for services to British fashion."

2007: Design of Academic Gown for King's College

In 2007, Vivienne Westwood was approached by the Chair of King's College London to design an academic gown for the college.

2007: Westwood switches support from Labour to Conservatives

In 2007, Westwood stated 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, Westwood was awarded a Fellowship at King's College London.

2007: Westwood speaks out against consumerism

In a 2007 interview, Westwood spoke out against what she considered the "drug of consumerism," advising people to buy less, even if it's from her.

2008: Westwood awarded honorary degree from Heriot-Watt University

In 2008, Heriot-Watt University awarded Westwood an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters for her contribution to the industry and use of Scottish textiles.

2008: Westwood designs academic gowns for King's College

In 2008, Westwood designed 20 new academic gowns and hoods for King's College London students to wear at their graduation ceremonies.

2008: Westwood designs featured in Sex and the City film

In 2008, Westwood's designs were featured in the film adaptation of Sex and the City, where Carrie Bradshaw models a Westwood wedding dress, which is then sent to her as a gift from Westwood.

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2008: Vivienne Westwood Opus limited edition published

In 2008, the Vivienne Westwood Opus limited edition was published for London Fashion Week. This unique work of art documents Westwood's work, measuring 35.4 by 25.2 inches and weighing 44 pounds, with a limited edition of 900.

2008: Unveiling of Academic Gowns

In 2008, the Vivienne Westwood-designed academic dresses for King's College were unveiled.

2008: Westwood campaigns at anti-nuclear demonstration

On Easter Sunday in 2008, Westwood personally campaigned at the largest Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament demonstration in ten years, held at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, Berkshire.

December 2009: Active Resistance to Propaganda staged as a play

In December 2009, Westwood's manifesto, Active Resistance to Propaganda, was adapted into a play and staged at the Bloomsbury Ballroom, starring Michelle Ryan.

2009: Marion Cotillard wears Westwood at Public Enemies premiere

In 2009, Marion Cotillard wore a Westwood red satin strapless dress at the London premiere of her film, Public Enemies.

2009: Pharrell Williams wears Westwood Buffalo hat

In 2009, Pharrell Williams was first seen wearing a similar Westwood Buffalo hat.

2009: Tax Due to HMRC

In 2009, Vivienne Westwood owed £350,000 in tax plus interest of £144,112 due to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for underestimating the value of her brand.

January 2011: Vivienne Westwood's London documentary released

In January 2011, Westwood was featured in a Canadian television documentary, Vivienne Westwood's London, where she showcased her favorite London locations.

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July 2011: Collections Presented at The Brandery Fashion Show

In July 2011, Vivienne Westwood's collections were presented at The Brandery fashion show in Barcelona.

August 2011: Agreement to Pay Tax and Interest to HMRC

In August 2011, Vivienne Westwood's company, Vivienne Westwood Ltd, agreed to pay £350,000 in tax plus interest of £144,112, due in 2009, to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for underestimating the value of her brand.

2011: Princess Eugenie wears Westwood designs at Royal Wedding

In 2011, Princess Eugenie wore three 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: Company Paid Latimo

Since 2011, Vivienne Westwood Ltd had been paying £2 million a year to offshore company Latimo for the right to use Westwood's name on her own fashion label.

March 2012: Agreement to End Franchise Relationship with Hervia

In March 2012, Vivienne Westwood Group reached an agreement to end a franchise relationship with Manchester-based Hervia, which operated seven stores for the fashion chain. The settlement led to a significant increase in Vivienne Westwood Ltd's pre-tax profits.

2012: Westwood tartan outfit on commemorative postage stamp

In 2012, A tartan outfit designed by Westwood was featured on a commemorative UK postage stamp issued by the Royal Mail, celebrating Great British Fashion.

2012: Westwood pushes for Assange's release at London Fashion Week

In 2012, 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 named one of The New Elizabethans

In 2012, Westwood was chosen as one of The New Elizabethans to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, recognized for significantly impacting lives in the UK.

2012: Westwood featured in Sgt. Pepper's album cover recreation

In 2012, Westwood was selected by Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, celebrating British cultural icons.

June 2013: Westwood dedicates collection to Chelsea Manning

In June 2013, Westwood dedicated one of her collections to Chelsea Manning, with models wearing badges of Manning with the word "Truth" during the fashion show.

2013: Accusations of Using Green Movement as Marketing Tool

In 2013, Eluxe Magazine accused Vivienne Westwood of using the green movement as a marketing tool due to her company's production practices, including using synthetic materials and producing numerous collections per year.

2013: Marion Cotillard wears Westwood Couture at Cannes

In 2013, Marion Cotillard wore a Westwood Couture pink and ivory striped dress at the Chopard lunch in Cannes.

October 2014: Vivienne Westwood biography published

In October 2014, the authorised biography Vivienne Westwood by Ian Kelly was published by Picador, later facing criticism for inaccuracies.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD / IAN KELLY

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2014: Pharrell Williams wears Westwood Buffalo hat at Grammy Awards

In 2014, Pharrell Williams wore a Westwood Buffalo hat from Westwood's 1982-83 collection to the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, leading to the hat's popularity and its own Twitter account.

2014: Westwood invests in Trillion Fund

In 2014, Westwood acquired a controlling interest in the equity crowdfunding platform Trillion Fund.

2014: Images at the National Portrait Gallery

Until 2014, The National Portrait Gallery holds 18 images of Westwood taken between 1990 and 2014, including those by Mario Testino, Jane Bown, Juergen Teller, Anne-Katrin Purkiss, and Martin Parr.

January 2015: Westwood supports the Green Party

In January 2015, Westwood announced her support for the Green Party, donating £300,000 to their election campaign.

February 2015: Westwood excluded from Green Party tour

In February 2015, Westwood was excluded from the Green Party's 'We Are The Revolution' tour due to her tax avoidance, contravening party policy.

March 2015: Statement on Business Affairs and Personal Values

In March 2015, Vivienne Westwood stated, "It is important to me that my business affairs are in line with my personal values. I am subject to UK tax on all of my income".

March 2015: Opening of Manhattan Outpost Announced

In March 2015, Vivienne Westwood's company announced it would open a three-story outpost in midtown Manhattan in New York City.

December 2015: Vivienne Westwood Ltd Operations

As of December 2015, Vivienne Westwood Ltd operated 12 retail stores in the UK, including an outlet store in Bicester Village, and 63 Westwood shops worldwide.

2016: Tits t-shirt acquired by Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 2016, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York acquired a 'Tits' t-shirt, originally designed by McLaren and sold at Seditionaries between 1976 and 1980.

2016: Opening of Paris Shop

In early 2016, Vivienne Westwood opened a 3,200-square-foot shop in Paris, located in a building that also housed the company's offices and showrooms in Rue Saint-Honoré.

June 2017: Westwood endorses Jeremy Corbyn

In June 2017, Westwood endorsed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for the 2017 general election, citing the Labour Party manifesto's focus on fair wealth distribution.

2018: Westwood documentary and children's book released

In 2018, the documentary film Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist premiered, and Isabel Sanches Vegara's book Vivienne Westwood from the Little People, Big Dreams series was published.

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April 2019: Westwood visits Assange in Belmarsh Prison

In April 2019, Westwood visited Julian Assange in Belmarsh Prison after his arrest.

November 2019: Westwood supports Jeremy Corbyn in open letter

In November 2019, Westwood, along with other public figures, signed a letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn and endorsing him in the 2019 UK general election.

2019: Trillion Fund dissolved

In 2019, the Trillion Fund, in which Westwood had a controlling interest, was dissolved.

July 2020: Westwood protests Assange's extradition

In July 2020, Westwood protested outside London's Old Bailey court against Julian Assange's possible extradition to the United States by suspending herself in a giant birdcage.

2020: CIRCA Commission and Piccadilly Lights Film

In 2020, to celebrate her 80th birthday, CIRCA commissioned Vivienne Westwood to present a video work on the Piccadilly Lights screen in Piccadilly Circus, London. The ten-minute film, created with her brother, featured a rewritten rendition of "Without You" from My Fair Lady, delivering a warning about environmental catastrophes and the arms trade.

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2021: Dua Lipa wears custom Westwood at Brit Awards

In 2021, Dua Lipa wore custom Westwood on the red carpet of the Brit Awards.

March 2022: Westwood designs outfits for Assange's wedding

In March 2022, Westwood and her husband, Andreas Kronthaler, designed the outfits for Julian Assange's wedding to Stella Moris in Belmarsh Prison, including a kilt-based outfit for the groom and a graffiti-appliqued dress for the bride.

December 2022: Vivienne Westwood's Death

In December 2022, Vivienne Westwood, the influential English fashion designer and businesswoman known for bringing punk and new wave fashions to the mainstream, passed away.

December 2022: Death of Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood died in Clapham, London, on December 29, 2022, at the age of 81.

2022: ART LOVERS UNITE! documentary premieres

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.

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January 2023: Private Funeral at Christ Church

In January 2023, a private funeral for Vivienne Westwood was held at Christ Church in Tintwistle, Derbyshire. The church was decorated with 45 metres of MacLeod Harris Tweed tartan.