Vivienne Westwood: Fashion Designer, Punk Icon And Activist Honored At Mumbai's Fashion Show

Mumbai was all decked up on April 1, 2025, when Bollywood divas including Kareena Kapoor, Radhika Merchant, Janhvi Kapoor, Mira Rajput and more kept their best fashion foot forward at the Vivienne Westwood fashion show in Mumbai. Netizens couldn't stop discussing the looks, and many in India wondered who Vivienne Westwood, the name behind this grand show, was. In simple terms, Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion designer who revolutionised fashion with her work. Known for her bold designs and rebellious spirit, she changed the perception towards fashion, leaving an everlasting Impact. 

Who was Vivienne Westwood?

Vivienne Westwood was a British Fashion designer and businesswoman. She is remembered for bringing punk fashion into existence and popularising the blend of music with clothing. Vivienne started her work at a store in London and grew it into a globally renowned brand. Moreover, the diva showed the world how clothes can be an important medium for social awareness by using her designs to showcase her fight for the planet. Overall, the designer has undeniably impacted the modern-day fashion industry. 

Vivienne Westwood's early life and creation of Punk fashion 

Vivienne Westwood was born on April 8, 1941, in Derbyshire, England, and was raised in a middle-class family. Things changed for her when she came across Malcolm McLaren, a musician and entrepreneur in the '60s, and they began a small boutique on London's King's Road. Unlike any ordinary store, Vivienne's boutique laid the base for her memorable career after it became famous for its unique designs. Her breakthrough came when Malcom became the manager of the punk band, The Sex Pistols, and they designed clothes for the band that was loved by the masses. 

Moreover, Vivienne and Malcolm's design reflected the economic, social, and political contexts of 1970s Britain, which became a go-to for the rebellious youth. They created punk fashion and sold more items like ripped T-shirts, leather, and provocative slogans—clothing designed to challenge authority that took the streets of London by storm. 

Vivienne Westwood's rebellion through fashion 

After starting the punk fashion movement, Vivienne turned towards shattering more limitations in the fashion world. Towards the 80s, she changed her path from making raw punk fashion to using historical influence in her fashion. She designed collections like Mini-Crini in 1985 inspired by the ballet, Petrushka and Pirate, a mix of old style and her modern rebel fashion. The diva also liked corsets, tartan, and exaggerated silhouettes. 

Moreover, in 1993, when supermodel, Naomi Campbell fell on the runway while walking in Vivienne's massive platform shoes, it wasn't mocked; rather, everyone took it as an example of Vivienne's designs being daring that made her a global fashion icon. She used her influence to voice her concern over climate change, consumerism, and political corruption. Sometimes, her runway models wore slogans like "Save the Arctic" or "Climate Revolution." The designer also advised people to buy less and focus more on quality rather than the number of clothes they buy. 

Vivienne Westwood tied the knot thrice in her life 

Vivienne Westwood had tied the knot thrice in her life. She was first married to Ben Westwood in 1963, and they welcomed a son, Derek Westwood. But, the ex-couple parted ways after three years of marriage in 1965. Later, she married the music designer and partner, Malcolm McLaren. The couple welcomed a son, Joseph Corré, but the marriage couldn't last, and they divorced in 1980. Vivienne made headlines when she married her former fashion student, Andreas Kronthaler, for the third time in 1992. Despite their age gap, he had also become her longtime creative partner and the marriage lasted her death in 2022 at the age of 81. 

Vivienne Westwood has left behind an unforgettable legacy that continues to inspire future generations? What are you thoughts about her? Let us know.

Next Read: Empuraan Controversy Explained: Mohanlal's Apology, Attack On Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kerala CM Vs BJP

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)