“The Queen of the new flow”

 Viviennes Westwood’s first ever catwalk collection was performed 1981 in London. 

This collection was collaboration with also English close designer Malcolm Mclauren and was inspired by history and the third world. (The early years) After this she worked alone which she thinks is the best way to work, however she learns a lot from other people (interview, 2008)

Pirate outfit, 1981

After the Pirate collection, Vivienne became “The Queen of the new flow” and in 1984 she has the collection “The world’s end” which made her known for being popular by the young crowd because she specialized in clothing that defined the punk movement, which was very big in the early 80s.  When speaking of the collection Vivienne says that she tried to combine punk with a little bit of Kung Fu and a little bit of Karate, however it does not seem something she does consciously but she realises it after making her clothes. (VW presents worlds end, 2012) 

slowdown for worlds end, n.d

The fashion show was made up by dancing models, in a mixture made up by dark and bright colours, winter and summer accessories and heaps of layers. This fashion show, like her others is fun and up speed and never dull. In her other fashion collections she is always inspired by the historical of her home country England and she also believes that “fashion is a parody, and should always be theatrical” (interview, 2008) which is something that her fashion shows always are.  This year, she had a collection at London fashion show and it was another of her bold and fascinating shows. She uses face paint and bright colours on the models that make them look very powerful. When asking her about her idea of how women should look like she says that they should always look very important. (interview, 2008)

London fashion week, 2012

Her collections also always means something, for example in 2007 the collection “I am expensive” was about the gap between fashion and a poverty plagued world and “the world’s end” was about questioning what is considered good and bad in the world of fashion.  (VW presents worlds end, 2012)  In an interview in 1987 Vivienne talks about how she cares about changing this idea,  “Fashion always talks about culture, and a lot of things people think is good, I think is bad” She uses historical references from England because she believes that England is a country that does not want to change, however fashion is a way of doing it for them. “Everyone is born with ultimate potential, hope in life is to top that potential and that is something you can do through fashion” (interview, 2008)

Vivienne Westwood’s fashion shows all have a very special style and when looking at many of them, you can see a pattern in them. They all have:  Fun models, a lot of interesting make up and of course original fashion. She believes a lot in “recycling clothing” (show/interview, 2011) but it does not make her fashion repetitive at all, it just makes it her own.

References

Vivienne Westwood: The early years, n.d, viewed 29 October 2012
<http://www.viviennewestwood.co.uk/w/the-story/the-early-years>

Vivienne Westwood: interview, 2008, viewed 29 October 2012
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iws_u0mJztI>

Vivienne Westwood presents Worlds End, 2012, viewed 29 October 2012
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nI3mcuzak0>

Show/interview, 2011, viewed 29 October 2012
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ3L0shnXoU >

Images

Pirate outfit, 1981, Image, viewed 29 October 2012
<http://www.rmg.co.uk/upload/img_400/subversionImgLOA647.jpg>

Vivienne Westwood, London fashion week 2012, 2012, image, viewed 29 October 2012
<http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/16/article-0-150BC9AC000005DC-144_310x783.jpg>

1983: Slowdown for worlds end,n.d image, viewed 29 October 2012
<http://shapersofthe80s.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/f83oct-wea31jdvw-dj.jpg?w=500  >