Fashion Designer Profile: Vivienne Westwood

Article Written By: Melissa Jackson

Vivienne Westwood - born Vivienne Isabel Swire in 1941 in Tintwistle - has earned her world reputation for her creative designs in both menswear and womenswear.

After a brief attempt at studying fashion and silversmithing at the Harrow School of Art when she was 17, Vivienne Westwood quit and embarked on a career as a primary teacher. The reason for doing so at the time was that she did not believe that a working-class girl like her would ever succeed in the art world. However, she did remain passionate about fashion and started making jewellery she would sell from a stall on the famous Portobello Road in London.

She first began designing clothes in 1971 and opened her very own boutique on King's Road, which she named 'Let It Rock', later to be renamed 'Sex'. Joining forces in business and home with partner Malcolm McLaren, was when Westwood really came to prominence, as she was assigned the task of dressing the band that McLaren managed; the Sex Pistols. A new era and star was born as Westwood's fierce and bold styling attracted the youth market in men's and women's clothing and brought punk into the mainstream of music and fashion.

Her very British modes of fashion and outspoken political ideals caught the imagination of a nation and within just a few years, Westwood was showcasing her very first collection, with the theme 'Pirate' in London. Her daring mixing of classic lines with an innovative bravado caught the attention of the public, the fashion milieu as well as the press. She earned the first of her three British Designer of the Year awards in 1990 thanks to her refreshing menswear collection. With times passing by many awards added to her impressive list of achievements.

Today, Westwood is married to her much younger former fashion student, Andreas Kronthaler and happily situated in her city of Inspiration; London. Her two sons have clearly inherited her flair for the arts as Ben Westwood is a photographer and Joe Corre, the founder of Agent Provocateur.

Westwood's unique stamp of grunge chic among men's and womenswear is now firmly interwoven into global cultures and societies. A selection of her life's work was displayed in homage at the National Gallery of Australia and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London but her latest lines can be purchased in five exclusively-owned shops in Milan, Leeds and London, plus a chain of stores across the UK in Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and York. Her love of fabrics and colours is still very evident throughout her seductive collections and her lines now extend to include a range of accessories to complete an outfit, still incorporating the latest trends while always taking them in an unconventional direction and almost always ahead of their time.

A much loved stalwart of the fashion industry and a designer's designer; Dame Vivienne Westwood has been celebrated with a DBE (an order of chivalry for services to fashion) and RDI (Royal Designer for Industry). Other honours include having been deemed one of the 5 greatest fashion designers of the last century, the Queen's Export Award as well as the British Fashion Awards decorating her her with Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design. Westwood has more than earned her title of Queen of Alternative Fashion.

About the Author

Looking for trends and stylish new directions for your personal fashion style? Take a look at the range of selected just for you Women's Clothing and Women's Designer Fashion from leading online retailer Glass Boutique.

You Can Link Directly to "Fashion Designer Profile: Vivienne Westwood" by using the url:
http://www.allbestarticles.com//family/fashion-and-style/fashion-designer-profile-vivienne-westwood.html

This Article Has Been Published on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 and Read 271 Times

Find All Best Articles at http://www.allbestarticles.com

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.

Related information on Fashion and Style

Tights For Wellness
French Nails: A Small Amount Of Details
Be Cozy And Look Quality
A Women's Guide to Finding The Perfect Pair of Shoes
Social Graces When Donning Prom Dresses
Fashion Designer Profile: Vivienne Westwood
The perfect Christmas Gift for him
How To Make A Set Of Clothes Of Prom Dresses That Are Inexpensive, Stylish And Handy
How Every Man Can Choose The Best Designer Jeans
Formal Dresses Intended For Ladies
Jewelry Organizers: Put an End to the Accessory Madness
Bundling Baby: Baby Clothing Guide
Fashion Bag - How To Choose?
Choosing Bridesmaids' Dresses
Vancouver Lash Extensions Has Attracted All Women
Protective Summer Fashion
Flattering Bridesmaid Dresses
Bridal Shoes for a Warm Weather Wedding
Diamond Necklaces - Making Beauty Sparkle
Finding your own look
A Purse Party Brings Together Fashion And Fun
Learning the Basics of Shopping for Baby Clothes
Styles come and go: Fundamentals of hair styling
Some Classic Makeup Tips
Baby Shower Fashion Tips for Those That Want to Party In Style