This display was a unique opportunity to see (and purchase should funds allow), the personal wardrobe and archive offered for sale at Christie's of revered fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. As well as her fashion design Westwood (1941-2022), was known for her social activism and proceeds of the sale will benefit charities such as Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières, Greenpeace and The Vivienne Foundation. Westwood had a very specific vision and personal aesthetic for her clothes. The pieces on display make it clear why Westwood was revered as one of the most important fashion designers and draw their influences from her love of Anglomania, sharp tailoring, fabrics such as Harris Tweed, bold slogans from her beginnings in the punk movement, as well as corsetry and elaborate gowns from the 18th century. There are many important pieces from the Westwood archive on display and it was such a pleasure to get to closely examine the quality of the fabrics, the tailoring and see just how certain garments were actually put together. Looking at the sculptural qualities of the accessories such as her signature platform shoes and there surface patterns was also a delight. There was a room devoted to Westwood's graphic playing card designs, produced as a strategy to save the planet by highlighting concerns such as human rights and climate change. This was such a great exhibition, and I'm sure that many pieces will find their way into museums as well as being snapped up by private collectors. It will be interesting to see the prices that certain pieces manage to achieve at the auction.
Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection
