Vivienne Westwood

Labelled as one of the founders and most inspiring forces behind the Punk Rock movement amongst the youth of Britain during the Nineteen Seventies, Vivienne Westwood is still one of the most influential fashion and popular cultural figures alive today. Hailing from a small village in the East Midlands, Westwood knew that she would have to move to the bright lights of London if she could ever make her childhood dream of being a fashion designer become reality. Initially attending Fashion College, Westwood’s complex personality did not fit in with the disciplined nature of further education and she quit before achieving any formal qualifications.

Having always had a passion for costume jewellery she started to make her own Vivienne Westwood Jewellery which she would sell from various market stalls based around London at weekends. Little did she know then that her jewellery line would go on to become so popular today particularly the earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. Although originally marrying a travelling salesman, her big break came when she met and began an affair with Malcolm McLaren, the controversial and infamous manager of the band The Sex Pistols, who were starting to make waves in the media. McLaren had a clothes shop on London’s famous Kings Road in the district of Chelsea and Vivienne started to make her own clothing for the shop, which was given instant exposure through the Pistols and McLaren, who was a PR genius. The shop eventually became Vivienne’s own and is still open to this day.

The Vivienne Westwood mens collection of ready to wear fashion has exploded in popularity in recent years. Once the preserve of a select few fashion boutiques due to the outlandish nature of the designs and cuts, the collection has matured over the past few years to become a popular, yet exclusive designer menswear brand, appreciated by men who know their fashion.