A REVOLUTIONARY

Westwood from 1996. FAIRCHILD FASHION ARCHIVES

Vivienne Westwood was known for always trying to reinvent fashion.

Inspired by acts of rebellion, Westwood incorporated striking cuts and hardcore imagery into her designs, using materials like leather and zips, which were associated with the nonconformist groups in England during the late 20th century.

Westwood used fashion as a way to generate reactions. She outfitted the Sex Pistols, a punk band, to create controversy and shock in society. Ripped shirts with vulgar phrases, chains, and safety pins were all choices Westwood made to contribute to the punk movement.

Westwood expanded from the punk movement to merge modern styles with inspiration from historical looks in her 1981 Pirate collection. Westwood’s debut features vivid colors with varying textures of fabrics on pirate-influenced designs, with the same touches from the past. For example, a buccaneer jacket with a slashed sleeve and the legendary leather Pirate boots are still available today on the brand’s website.

Westwood’s integration of the past into her designs is shown in the Mini-Crini, a combination of the crinoline, a type of petticoat, and a mini skirt. These two types of clothing contrasted the restrictions of women in the past and present.

Another famous type of women’s clothing prevalent throughout history is the corset. Originally worn on the inside, Westwood changed its connotation by introducing it as outerwear, where women were able to reclaim and express their femininity. Today, corsets are making a widespread comeback. The Classic Portrait corset also incorporates punk elements.