Vivienne Westwood 1941-2022
Vivienne Westwood 1941-2022 and inspirational Woman No.4.
With the announcement that godmother of punk Vivienne Westwood had died, I like everyone else took to social networking to pay my respects.
The below note to Vivienne is poignant because I fully intended for her to read a thank you letter from me. After 40 years in fashion, I'm writing personal acknowledgements with gratitude, to those who inspired me over the years. With Vivienne I simply thought I had more time.
Accompanying my note are various pictures of me in Vivienne. She's been with me through out my career in more ways than one.
An early broadcasting career beckoned. I interviewed passers by about their style. My look is post punk, Pirate shirt and Donkey Jacket of course
Dear Vivienne you have been a wonderful and rare inspiration in our media. A woman who has regularly appeared in her own advertising as a beautiful crone. Ageing proudly and unapologetically, you have shone out as a vibrant, authentic and playful spirit. I looked TO YOU, and AT YOU and have been gratefully empowered by your honesty and raw truth. Vivienne you have always been a guide in an industry not known for its integrity or unadorned reality. Thank you.
Wearing my bondage strides in a BBC press picture as you do circa 1985
Anti-conformity in every way, Vivienne your designs whilst beautiful and romantic; your menswear: regal and mischievous, also revelled in anarchic statement through print, cut, reference and your unique non-conformity. The potency of your design vision and persona was spell binding. In person there was always swagger and sexual allure to your presence. It was a joy to interview you back stage after your shows. Vivienne you never edited yourself. You said what you were feeling or concerned about and used your shows to platform political concerns for democracy and environmental justice.
A majestic Red Label dress perfect for the many bridal make over shows I hosted back in the day
In the late nineties, I wrote, produced and presented an ITV documentary with a big live catwalk show at the V&A - my tribute to you. We both worked hard on it in the weeks before and you were an absolute dream to work with: Collaborative, pragmatic and playful. Vivienne, you made it fun.
Vivienne and I discussing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth 1st hung in the National Portrait Gallery (as you do).
Later when I asked you to help with the body and beauty diversity campaign: All Walks Beyond the Catwalk, you said yes instantly and with your help we created an amazing night at the National Portrait Gallery where you voiced a recorded tribute to Queen Elizabeth 1st as a power dressing, ass kicking heroine; a woman in a man’s world, who used image and clothing to amplify her visual strength. There we were sitting at your desk passing ideas back and forth, you gave your time so generously.
Alex Chung's documentary for Vogue requires a vintage Vivienne look
You Vivienne were there at the beginning for me and one of my first designer interviews in i-D and have been a constant shining light throughout 40 years in the clothing industry. Love, respect and admiration.