10 of the most interesting and little known facts about Vivienne Westwood

Creativity and boldness – this is what distinguished fashion icon Vivienne Westwood. She was so contradictory that some facts of biography simply do not fit in the head.

It seems that one life cannot contain so much. It seems that one person is not capable of so many revolutions. But we are dealing with facts. Perhaps they are somewhere embellished by the press or misunderstood… But even so, there is enough inspiration for everyone.

Fact #1. Vivienne Westwood is a schoolteacher.

What would the fashion world be like without the contributions of Vivienne Westwood? It’s hard to say, because her name is inextricably linked to it. But it’s even harder to imagine that once upon a time Vivienne had no idea of such a career.

In the 1960s, she was a simple schoolteacher. She married and had a son. By the way, the famous surname – this is not a pseudonym. She inherited it from her first husband. And there was nothing glorious in it at that time. Derek Westwood worked as a dance hall manager.

Fact #2. It was love that brought her into fashion

To glorify the family name of her first husband Vivien managed thanks to the second. With the leader of the Sex Pistols Malcolm McLaren, the future punk diva met in the 1970s. Unlike Derek Westwood, he was creative and daring. These attitudes suited the rebellious Vivienne.

McLaren inspired her to create clothes, largely defined her future creative style and helped her financially. One of their joint creations is a fashion boutique with the provocative name Sex.

Fact #3. She owes her first star show to Alexandre Dumas

This is about the iconic 1980s show, after which Vivienne Westwood was seriously talked about. The title does not include Dumas’ characters. The connection to The Three Musketeers is only hinted at.

If Westwood herself did not tell that she was inspired by this novel, no one would have guessed. “Pirates” was the name of the collection. From the “musketeer” in it – romanticized-historical mood.

Having reread Dumas’ work, Vivien decided to create something at the intersection of history and modernity. This is how Westwood herself commented on the creative process.

Fact #4. Dared to make a piercing for Elizabeth II

In 1987, a collection of T-shirts with prints that outraged the public was released. In particular, Vivienne used a portrait of Elizabeth II. And it would have been fine just to place it on the T-shirt. Westwood decided to join the queen to the fashion rebellion – pierced her lip with a pin. By the way, Elizabeth herself took it normally. No complaints were not followed.

Fact #5. Received an award from Elizabeth II

This fact seems especially unrealistic in view of the information announced earlier – about the pin in her lip… But that’s what happened. Despite the free treatment of British sacred things, in 1992 Vivienne Westwood received the Order of the British Empire. It was awarded by the Queen herself. In 2006, she was also awarded the honorary title – “Dame Commander”.

Fact #6: She borrowed a suit from Margaret Thatcher, which made her very angry.

It all started when Vivienne created the costume. But she couldn’t keep from rebelling here, either. Before sending her creation to Margaret Thatcher, who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain at that time, Westwood decided to try it on. And for show…

She starred in a suit for the cover of Tatler magazine. “This woman was once a punk” was the headline she wore. Thatcher, according to eyewitnesses, was furious when she saw it.

Fact #7. Publicly insulted Kate Middleton.

Let’s complete the list of those on whom Vivienne, the Duchess of Cambridge, went through a roller of epathetic antics. In 2011, the fashion icon allowed herself to speak publicly about the style and taste of Kate Middleton. She criticized them.

The reason was banal – Westwood took offense that Kate did not attract her to create her wedding dress. The duchess chose the house of Alexander McQueen.

Fact #8. Her last husband was half her age

In 1992, 52-year-old Vivienne married her former student. Austrian designer Andreas Kronthaler was 25 years younger than her. The tandem proved to be fruitful and long-lasting. Andreas became the creative director of Vivienne Westwood. They were called the perfect couple.

Fact #9. Gave Carrie Bradshaw not only a wedding dress

Everyone knows that it was Westwood who created the wedding dress for the main character of the feature-length Sex and the City. If you did not know this, then in your piggy bank will become one fact more.

The rest of you will be interested to know that in the episode where Carrie goes to get a job at Vogue, she is also wearing a Vivienne Westwood suit. It’s about the same set of navy blue color, consisting of a pencil skirt and a shortened jacket.

Fact #10. Gave a name to a gorgeous flower

Vivienne Westwood’s name is associated with more than just epathetic antics. If there’s something cute. For example, a special variety of roses was named in her honor. Rose Vivienne Westwood – that’s what they’re called. True, it’s not without unusualness here, either. Flowers have an original bloom. The shades go from bright orange to delicate pink. How it looks like Vivienne Westwood …