Dame Vivienne Westwood (b. 1941) is one of the most fascinating fashion designers of our time. She is a pioneer of punk fashion, an industry rebel, and a vocal activist. The fashion creations of this respected and award-winning designer will occupy Museum Milavida on April 29, 2022 and will be on display until February 12th, 2023.

A Personal Collection of Vivienne Westwood Fashion showcases the Private collection of Lee Price. The exhibition is not affiliated with Vivienne Westwood Limited and is a Private Collection.

Punk
Vivienne Westwood’s career in fashion began in 1965, when she became acquainted with Malcolm McLaren. Together, they set up a clothing store in London that changed its name according to the styles. In 1974, the store was renamed Sex. Erotic leather and latex clothing were on sale. For example, the couple produced bondage-style clothing and T-shirts with provocative texts. Their creations shocked conservative audiences.

The store became a popular meeting place where young people dissatisfied with mainstream culture gathered. McLaren began managing The Swankers, which evolved into the punk band Sex Pistols. The band members dressed in clothes designed by McLaren and Westwood.

Playful elegance
Following the commercialization of punk fashion, Westwood and McLaren changed direction. Their first catwalk collection was the neo-romantic Pirate. When the couple parted ways, Westwood continued to design clothing alone.

Westwood acquainted herself with the designs and cuts of historical clothing models. Traditional English craftsmanship and fabrics inspired her. She experimented with the traditions of the British upper class and the classics of fine art. Crinolines, bustles, and corsets appeared in her collections. Westwood made them fashionable with her own mischievous style. The self-taught designer was not discouraged by criticism or belittling, but, with her tenacity, became a respected fashion influencer. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth awarded her the title of Dame for her achievements in the fashion industry.

Westwood’s current husband is Andreas Kronthaler (b. 1966), whom Vivienne met while teaching fashion design in Vienna. Their cooperation, in fashion and marriage, has continued for thirty years.

Activist
Vivienne Westwood is an avid activist. She campaigns for, among other things, human rights, Arctic nature, and climate issues. Her positions are also reflected in her 21st century collections. Westwood has stated that punk attitudes still live within her. She wants to force people to think, even when it is uncomfortable.

The exhibition, A Personal Collection of Vivienne Westwood Fashion from Lee Price’s Collection, showcases a rich selection of Vivienne Westwood’s women’s and men’s fashion from the 1970s to the 2010s. The insurgency of the punk era, exhilarating checkered patterns, dizzyingly towering platform shoes, and the glamor of catwalks are all visible in the exhibition. The exhibition items have been borrowed from Lee Price, an English collector who worked at Westwood’s fashion house. Ki Price’s photographs of Westwood’s catwalks and political escapades on the streets complement the ensemble.

The exhibition is on display at Museum Milavida from April 29, 2022 to February 12, 2023.

The Vivienne Westwood brand was not involved in the curation or organisation of this exhibition.

Photos: Lee Price