Provocative, irreverent, brilliant, she was probably the last true rebel of our times.
Throughout her career, the British fashion designer has led a revolution that has not only affected the fashion world but has also inspired a series of real social changes. Non-conformism has always been at the heart of her philosophy, from her beginnings in the 1970s in Chelsea to the Parisian catwalks and the awareness-raising campaigns in which she has been personally involved.
The designer draws inspiration from historical fashion, reworks it according to her personal vision, introduces the corset as an item of clothing to be shown off, often pushing it to the borders of fetish. Even the make-up of the models on the catwalk follows Westwood's passion for history, the models often have their hair pulled back in ringlets, pink cheeks and coloured lips. One of her most iconic shows was her Autumn/Winter 1987-1988 collection entitled Harris Tweed: she distanced herself from punk and began her parody of the upper middle class.
She created a unique, unprecedented style, became famous for her androgynous designs, her slogan t-shirts, and was the rebellious, critical, non-conformist voice of British fashion, a provocateur par excellence; but in addition to knowing how to unite like no other styles from different eras far removed in time, Westwood was the first designer to give her heart and soul to the fight for sustainable, ethical fashion.
"I never thought of myself as a fashion designer. I simply thought of myself as a freedom fighter'. V. W.
