Dame Vivienne Westwood has been remembered as a ‘true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion’ following her death aged 81.
The pioneering fashion designer died peacefully surrounded by her family in Clapham, south London, on Thursday, her representatives said in a statement.
She first made a name for herself on the fashion scene in the 1970s, with her androgynous designs, slogan t-shirts and irreverent attitude towards the establishment.
But throughout her long career in fashion, Dame Vivienne continued creating surprising, fascinating and jaw-dropping looks. Here, we take a look at some of her most well-known outfits.
Dame Vivienne Westwood went commando when receiving her OBE from the Queen in 1992 (pictured)
She was one of the most influential British fashion designers of the 20th century, cultivating the punk rock movement with her unapologetically political designs.
As the person who dressed the Sex Pistols, Dame Vivienne was synonymous with 1970s punk rock, a rebel spirit that stuck with her throughout her career including going commando when receiving her OBE from the Queen.
‘The only reason I am in fashion is to destroy the word “conformity”,’ Westwood said in her 2014 biography. ‘Nothing is interesting to me unless it’s got that element’.
Derbyshire-born Dame Vivienne is largely accepted as being responsible for bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her eccentric creations.
Kate Moss famously donned a tiny Vivienne Westwood miniskirt while walking topless in a runway show in 1993 (pictured)
Princess Eugenie (pictured left, with Princess Beatrice at the wedding of William and Kate) also wore three Westwood designs for various elements of the wedding of William and Kate Middleton in 2011
Popstar Dua Lipa wore an eye-catching custom Vivienne Westwood look at the Brit Awards 2021 (pictured)
Red carpet looks: Olivia Rodrigo dazzled in a Vivienne Westwood gown when attending the 64th Annual Grammy Awards this year, pictured left, while Zendaya stunned in a look from the designer in 2015, pictured right
Her designs were regularly worn by high-profile individuals including Dita Von Teese who wore a purple Westwood wedding gown to marry Marilyn Manson.
Princess Eugenie also wore three Westwood designs for various elements of the wedding of William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
Dame Vivienne’s designs also featured in the 2008 film adaptation of Sex And The City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw.
Some of her best-known creations include the Mini Crini, bustle-skirts, bondage trousers and 12-inch platform shoes, the type which famously tripped up supermodel Naomi Campbell.
Rihanna performs during the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The singer opted for a daring Vivienne Westwood gown
Pharrell Williams made headlines in this statement vintage Vivienne Westwood hat at the Grammy Awards in 2014
She developed the idea of underwear as outerwear, and Madonna’s legendary conical bra worn on her Blonde Ambition tour, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, would probably never have happened if not for Westwood.
She also transformed the corset from a symbol of female repression to one of power and sexual freedom.
In August, Kate Moss revealed she was scolded by her daughter Lila for one of her most daring runway looks, when she famously donned a tiny Vivienne Westwood miniskirt while walking topless in a runway show.
The 48-year-old revisited her daring look on the catwalk in a video for British Vogue, explaining that Lila Grace, 19, thought her skirt was way ‘too short,’ before admitting that even now she turns to her teen daughter for fashion advice.
Kate strutted her stuff for Vivienne Westwood in 1993 and wore her miniskirt with nothing but a pair of tottering heels, going topless and licking an ice cream – which made headlines at the time.
‘This was one of my favourites,’ Kate began.
‘This is a Vivienne Westwood show and it was a Magnum ice cream and they just said, ”eat that as you go out with no top on.” And I was like, ”yeah I’ll try.”
‘I managed that. And those heels as well. That skirt, I’ve got one and Lila, she’s like, ”Mummy! It’s so short!” Yeah, you’re supposed to see your knickers.’
Kate added: ‘That collection was so beautiful, I feel very lucky to have had that experience.’
Figures from across entertainment were among the people remembering Dame Vivienne after her death, with singer Boy George tweeting: ‘R.I.P to the great and inspiring Vivienne Westwood who lead us through punk and beyond.
‘Laughed at by the fashion industry but without question she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion. I love you! Oh bondage up yours!’
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) described Dame Vivienne as a ‘true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion’.
A tweet said: ‘We are saddened to learn about the passing of legendary designer Vivienne Westwood. A true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion.’
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