Brand Focus: Vivienne Westwood
Originating as a joint project from Vivienne herself and the now icon of punk music Malcolm McLaren, the Vivienne Westwood brand has always endeavoured to shock and provoke through the fusion of fashion and music with the cultural zeitgeist of the time. This approach was particularly successful during the label's earliest years in 1970s Britain, where the crippled economy and political standing of the country led to the formation of the punk movement being seen as a necessary iconoclastic subculture by a youth eager to rid themselves of any association with the older generation behind the decline.
The results were outlandish and bold; collections taking inspiration from 1950s youth culture, sado-masochism and everything in between sought to inspire young followers of the movement, urging them to challenge the status quo and seek radical change in society. Westwood's repeated use of safety pins, oversized zips and large rips throughout her designs led to their now inextricable link with the punk scene and the brand's desire to challenge societal norms and unsettle a youth from the passivity enforced by their society still continues - unique and unabashed outfits and items make up the majority of each new collection.
Vivienne Westwood maintains a commitment not only to the punk ethos but also to addressing environmental issues wherever possible and the founder still appeared at campaigns and protests up until her death in 2022. It is claimed that at present, 90% of the materials the brand use have been selected as less envrionmentally impactful alternatives to previously used fabrics. The leather currently used across the brand's accessories and footwear collections is sourced according to the highest animal welfare standards and they continue to seek alternative materials where possible, giving peace of mind with each purchase.
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