Smoke Mag Issue 18

uwsu.com/mag

november 2017 ¡ ISSUE 18 ¡ FREE

see everyday london through interview our eyes PG.14-17

with tom grennan PG. 19-20

the resurgence of punk fashion PG.26-27

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TEAM

INSIDE

Lama El Khamy editor in chief

mag.editor@smoke.media

katherine cenaj

deputy editor-in-chief mag.deputy@smoke.media

michael ward & Jasmin Goken comment

A word from the deputy editor

mag.comment@smoke.media

miriam cocuzza & mark hoskin music

mag.music@smoke.media

kristiyan stefanov & Louis holder arts

mag.arts@smoke.media

peony hirwani lifestyle mag.lifestyle@smoke.media

kate reichardt & omar blade fashion

mag.fashion@smoke.media

SMOKE MAG is produced monthly by a team of student volunteer editors and contributors.

SMOKE MAG is published by the University of Westminster Students’ Union, but views presented do not necessarily mirror those of UWSU or the editorial team.

If you would like to make a complaint or comment about our journalism, please contact the editor in chief, Lama El Khamy, in the first instance.

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Y

ou guys have made it through your first couple of months of university!! Congratulations, a pat on the back to you, if you have managed to make it to every lecture I genuinely am in awe of you – well done!

Please tell us your secrets.

This month brings cooler weather, fireworks and my birthday!! I know guys, I know, so exciting! But all jokes aside, it’s now completely acceptable for you to start your countdown to Christmas, I know I’ve already started mine. Just skip the Christmas Music, we all know I’m not a fan. Head over to page 7 to find out why.

If you’ve just moved to London or have lived here for a while I’m guessing you spot

beauty hidden around every corner. Head over to pages 14-17 to find Everyday London and a few of the wonders you’ll see as you’re walking around, from street art to simply Londoners being Londoners.

If you’re looking for something fun to do on a gloomy November evening then why don’t you try heading over to one of London’s many cool cinemas, we’ve got a roundup of some of the best on page 22 .

Issue 18 tackles some of the more controversial yet very worthy topics like why the mainstream media almost completely ignored Black History Month and why is it that we take photos at tragic disaster sites?

But, let’s end this on a high note – thanks so much for picking up a copy guys and I really do hope that you enjoy flicking through it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Till next time!

Katherine

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INSIDE

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COMMENT PG. 4-7

FEATURES PG. 8-17

MUSIC PG. 18-21

ARTS PG. 22-23

LIFESTYLE PG. 24-25

FASHION PG. 26-27

english quirks you better get used to & fast fashion

timeless punk: the comeback

disaster tourism needs to stop & Merry Music: it’s a no from me

Interview with indie-pop artist tom grennan

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everyday london & When’s black history month again?

boutique cinemas in london & degas from the burrel

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COMMENT

disaster tourism needs to stop

Helsio Perest on why taking selfies at places of tragedy is a reflection of the worst type of social media.

They say a “picture is worth a thousand words” and this isn’t truer than when you see an image of a recent disaster. So why do people do it? Is it ok to do so?

Ultimately people take photos to tell stories, whether it’s their outfit, themselves or even their breakfast, sometimes it’s of an overturned car, or of a burning down building. These images whether we like it or not, invoke very strong emotions within us, of grief, empathy, and even a sense of helplessness.

Is it ok to take pictures of disasters?

Yes, because it keeps us informed of what is happening around us, it helps us put into perspective the immensity of the disaster, it even helps us to empathise with the victims. Think about the last time you saw an image of the remains of Grenfell tower, it probably got you thinking about the security measures, and what could have been done better, and every time

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you see an image of it, it will remind you of the people who lost their homes.

“Pictures put a disaster into perspective, selfies do not” Of course, there are people who will use images of tragedies for personal gain, either by promoting themselves or to get more views, some will even go as far as faking tragedies, YouTube pranks anyone?

We take pictures because it helps us remember our mistakes as a society, and help us prevent against them. We take pictures because it helps us to connect as a community.

We should not take pictures to exploit the loss of life, for the sake of your own personal gain.

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a picture is worth a thousand words

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COMMENT

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COMMENT

could you give up meat to save the planet?

BY michelle Delrey Growing up in a Hispanic household, eating meat is the only option.

Even when veganism and clean eating became well known in my home state of California I thought it would eventually die with all the other crazy food trends, yet it prevailed.

Deciding to give up meat can seem daunting. What would a taco be without perfectly seared carne asada?

It was a thought that seemed too difficult to process.

Yet, studies show that the effects cattle farming have on the climate are catastrophic.

“Meat substitutes are essential to sustain our planet” CNN asked their audience, “Would you stop eating meat to save the planet”? They found that 15 percent of global emissions come from livestock farming.

Cattle, known for their flatulence emit enormous amounts of CO2 from their corn heavy diets.

On top of this, the fertiliser used to grow corn releases nitrous oxide - a gas 300 times more powerful than CO2.

The moral argument for going meat free is that the unethical treatment of animals is unjust.

Industrialised farming isn’t great for the health of these animals either, often neglectful living conditions can lead to large scale outbreaks of E.coli and Salmonella.

This is due to the fact that cattle are being fed corn when they’re, by

evolution, adapted to eat grass.

Chickens are also often kept in dark barns without ever seeing sunlight. They’re grown at a faster rate making it difficult for their internal organs to keep up. This can sometimes lead to the breaking of legs and an early death.

“would you give up meat to save the planet?”

There are multiple arguments on why, as humans we should give up the consumption of meat, both environmental and moral.

In the past most of these would be left up to individual’s beliefs and preferences.

However, in today’s climate, crisis meat free ideals might not only become more preferential, but essential in order to sustain our planet.

So, would you give up meat to save the planet?

Image by Michael Ward

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Merry Music: it’s a no from me

by Katherine cenaj

What does September mean to you? Back to school shopping and blowing the first part of your student loan? What about October?

Pumpkin spiced latte’s and Halloween?

And finally, November? Possibly icy cold mornings and bonfire night?

Whatever your personal interpretation of each month is, I can almost guarantee that the first thought that sprang to your mind was not Christmas; so why is it that all department stores seem to have their glittering gold and red Christmas stands up before I’ve managed to unpack my holiday suitcase?

We all love a bit of Christmas, in fact I think you’d find it pretty damn hard to find someone who is not a fan – what is there not to love about Christmas tree decorating, Elf and stuffing?

But I cannot work out the need to force it down our

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throats before summers end.

“you already know the pain of mariah carey’s screeching” Each month of the year plays its own special part; be it march with the first glimmers of sunshine to prise us from winter, or April and its showers or August and the gloriously warm weather and sub-beaten bodies – which is why I fail to understand why shops start planning for Christmas with months to go.

Regardless to whether you decide to do a spot of shopping or you’re unlucky enough to work in retail whilst you study, I’m guessing

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you already know the pain of Mariah Carey’s screeching to All I want for Christmas is you and you probably know every single word to Jingle Bell Rock. It’s understandable in the week leading up to Christmas but, not so much when we have only just hung up our trick or treating hats.

Now, before you shout Bah-Humbug and note me down as a scrooge for the rest of eternity please consider this – could you possibly remain sane listening to Merry Xmas Everyone on repeat for the best part of four months?

You wouldn’t pick up candy canes to give away to trickor-treaters, nor hand them out at the firework display on November fifth, so please don’t blast Last Christmas before December – it’s plain crazy.

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TheGrad: Get Closer to Employers By gemma smith

Are you on the quest for inspiration in the job market?

You may be a student or a recent graduate searching for that guidance in the professional, working world but you might not know where to go. Or you could just be curious about an industry that you’re studying and want some insight. If so, you’re in the right place...

TheGrad is a unique start-up that was founded by a group of recent graduates. Four of the six founders are University of Westminster Alumni, which makes TheGrad exceptionally special and very-well gelled. TheGrad team understands the challenging employment pressures graduates face in the current economic climate.

The mission is very simplistic yet forward-thinking: we strive for students and graduates to have clarity, reassurance and confidence when entering the world of work, while helping them to make an informed decision about their future to progress successfully in a chosen field.

For both students and graduates, registering with thegrad.co.uk is free. We are here to help and care about your education and thereafter pursuing the ideal career for you. We strive to help in the following areas: accommodation, career planning, integrating into University life, insightful industry advice and other general student/graduate related issues.

For the full advertorial, visit smoke.media.

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FEATURE

Cartoons: An adult’s best friend lama el khamy’s open letter to

D

older generations

ear older generations,

You seem to have created prejudices towards cartoons where the genre can only be watched by children. The amount of times my friends and I have been mocked by parents,

grandparents or other “grown ups” and been called “children” is astounding. And to be quite frank, if watching cartoons makes me a child, then I promise you I am the most messed up child you’ll ever encounter.

Associating animated movies to children is a bad idea to start

with, the amount of cartoons that contain “inappropriate” topics is much larger than child friendly cartoons. Probably the reason why my parents thought it was a good idea to make me watch Southpark when I was just 5. I mean what were you thinking!

Honestly though, thank god my brain did not understand what was happening in this show because it is messed up, and hilarious, but only for ADULTS.

“one of the first moving images was a pornographic slideshow”

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FEATURE

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Older generations, here’s a history lesson about cartoons: You should know that one of the first moving images was a pornographic slideshow sped up to show a naked lady. Around the time of World War Two, cartoons were made as a comic relief cinematic event for people of all ages. So from the beginning of animation’s conception it has been for everyone. And now it’s even more for adults than kids. The most output animation from Japan and America are veered towards 18+ viewers - with the most watched cartoon of all time a hentai called Bible Black (don’t search it on Google, believe me it’s going to mess you up for life).

The most lucrative toy businesses are based off of mostly adult shows, which makes sense because we don’t have to ask our parents for permission. Cartoon shows created for adult viewing are as popular as regular shows, and we are even seeing an increase in the number of new animated shows being made.

“cartoon network was and will always be screwed up” Now more than ever, more and more cartoons are being released and are becoming more popular by the minute. And let’s face it, even the cartoons we watched when we were young had a lot of implicit adult humour or were just plain messed up most of the times. Courage, the cowardly dog, for example, was not a children’s show. I don’t care if you believe that it was a child friendly show, it wasn’t and it was creepy as hell. Cartoon Network was and will always be screwed up.

Anyways, now that I’ve proven my point about animated productions I advise all readers to go and watch a cartoon today. Because I think everyone should enjoy them.

In conclusion, yes, I am a 21 year old who still watches cartoons. Sometimes I even prefer them over normal shows. If that makes me a child, then go ahead, call me a child because it makes me proud that this part of me has not died yet. Well the twisted part of it at least.

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FEATURE

when’s black history month again?

BY memuna konteh

why do we forget to celebrate black people?

It’s November, which means fireworks and poppies, symbols of two of the most celebrated and publicly acknowledged events in this country’s calendar; Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day. Last month spelt the beginning of Autumn, Halloween and of course, Black History Month.

But you knew that already right?

Black History Month is so downplayed in this country that it wasn’t on my radar at all. Before you accuse me of being out of loop, let me hit you with some stats: In the first two weeks of October, only 1 of Britain’s 4 big newspapers ran stories on Black History Month.

The BBC was the only top nationwide broadcaster that dedicated airtime to anything related to Black British history and a recent poll on Twitter showed that only 23 per cent of people were aware that it was Black History Month in the UK.

“Surely, as a proud black woman I would know but I didn’t”

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30 years ago, Akyaaba Addai Sebbo launched the first ever UK Black History Month campaign.

The celebrations were exclusive to the capital, but as the Black British population expanded other cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds began participating. The aims of Black History Month are to “raise awareness about positive black contributions to British society and allow Black people in this country to feel more confident about their cultural heritage”, but that’s not the case if no one knows.

A lot has changed within British society since Black History Month began.

Today we see far more Black Britons in influential positions; Edward Enninful is the first black editor of Vogue magazine, grime artist Stormzy’s album ‘Gang Signs and Prayers’ debuted at number 1 in the UK Album Charts and last year Michaela Coel won two BAFTAs for ‘Chewing Gum’, a television show that she wrote, produced and starred in.

But, this does not mean inequality and racism no longer exist in this country: black men are still massively overrepresented in British prisons and black university

applicants are still less likely to get in to their university of choice than their white peers.

“We shouldn’t need to dedicate a month to remembering that the 2 million Black people in this country have a rich and interesting cultural history” It seems that, like with too many such initiatives, Black History Month in this country is something that comes from a confused place of good intention (with a pinch of White Guilt) that has become redundant in modern society. The principles that Black History Month was set up to promote should already be at the forefront of British society. These are things that should be celebrated and recognised every day and once we learn to do that we can focus on tackling the bigger injustices that face black people in this country, all year round.

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a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots marcus garvey

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FEATURE

Everyday london patricia h il

bert

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images by patricia hilbert, Raluca Ristea, margarita vebeliunaite

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photo by rob bye on unsplash

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FEATURE

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r ih lbe

patricia h il

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raluca rist

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photo by marcin nowak on unsplash

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Tom Grennan chats to smoke

BY MICHAEL WARD

I

t’s a Wednesday night in September. Inside a dingy backroom in Camden’s most notorious music venue - which smells like both damp and beer - I’m sat across from the twentyone-year-old rising indie pop artist, Tom Grennan.

Tom has had a stream of successful songs this year, and now headlining his own tour around the UK, is clearly on the rise to great things.

“Found what I’ve been looking for” has been a very successful track this year.

What the song’s about and how did you know it was going to be as big as it is?

“Found out what I’m looking for” came out of the sky. I didn’t even mean to

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write a song that day, it just happened. I didn’t believe in it first, I thought it was pretty shit to be honest. (laughs) People told me to have some faith in it. I wasn’t expecting it to do as well as it has done. It overachieved if I’m honest, which I love. People are vibing with it, people are liking it.

“I’m fiery, energetic and true” For those who don’t know you yet, who would you musically compare yourself to?

Everyone’s their own person, and everyone makes

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their own music. I would reference myself as Tom Grennan, but if you like fiery, energetic, true, honest music, then I’m your guy.

Tom hasn’t just got a talent for music. An ex player at Bedford, Luton FC and Aston Villa, he made the decision to step away from playing professionally, to focus on getting a record deal.

If you could play professional football and have a successful music career, both at the same time, would you?

As a musician, to be on the road every day and on stage every night, you’ve got to be an athlete. I’d love to be on a footballer’s wage, but I’m loving what I do now.

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MUSIC

It’s a different ball game.

As a footballer, you’ve always got people telling you what to do. As a musician, as Tom Grennan, you’re the whole team.

“I am still broke!”

What advice would you give to those studying music at university?

Just do what you gotta do, and don’t give a s**t about what people think. If it’s true, people will relate to it and people like it and vibe off it. Uni’s a great experience.

I didn’t learn much, but I learnt a lot about myself.

That’s the most important.

How does it feel to be selling out shows?

Crazy, mate. I’m playing at an iconic venue... Amy Winehouse has played here; she stood on the same stage.

I never thought I’d be able to sell out shows, but I’m going for greatness now.

People are liking what I do.

It’s crazy and I will always be grateful for it.

How does it feel when people shout your name?

Mad. Like, mad.

Did all this change anything in your life?

Same s**t from the same hole, mate. I’m still broke.

Tom’s newest song Royal Highness is out now, And so are some random facts about him.

Beer or Brew?

Beer. I hate cups of tea, unless it’s herbal.

Pick one. Cassette, Vinyl, MP3.

Always Vinyl. But obviously, I listen to music on my phone as well.

Would you rather have no hair on your head or no hair on your face?

Face.

No eyebrows?

No eyebrows.

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andy serkis’ directorial debut ‘breathe’ opens

ARTS

61st bfi london film festival at headline gala

7 boutique cinemas in London by chantelle partridge

1 Everyman Hampstead .

This cinema provides a home away from home, by offering guests the big screen experience from the comfort of a plush sofa. What makes it even more luxurious is the waiter service: you can enjoy unlimited amounts of popcorn without having to move a muscle.

2 Rio .

With its striking blue neon lights, this retro cinema located in Dalston is hard to miss. It throws mainstream confectionery out the window, preferring to serve homemade baked goods and coffee.

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. The Electric Known for its comfort, this cinema boosts six double beds on the

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front row and 65 leather armchairs, as well as offering guests cashmere blankets to ensure their every need is catered for.

film experience. You can either share your hot tub with a stranger or grab five friends to join you in your own personal tub.

4 Roxy Bar and Screen 6 The Phoenix .

Unknown to many locals, this cinema buries itself amongst the hustle and bustle of Borough Market.

The unique mix-up of bar and cinema allows guests to grab a beer and a burger, then find room to enjoy an intimate film screening on one of the many battered armchairs, bar stools or sofas.

5 Hot Tub Cinema .

Rather than having a permanent home, the Hot Tub Cinema runs pop-up events across East London rooftops, allowing a unique

.

After surviving Two World Wars, this cinema is one of the oldest in the UK. It still has its authentic vaulted ceilings, which sets the tone for a blockbuster viewing like no other.

7 Secret Cinema .

The Secret Cinema offers the ultimate immersive experience in stylised venues all over London. It allows guests to lose themselves in the world of film, providing food fitting to the genre and film-related entertainment before the screening.

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BOOK CORNER

The lover: Marguerite duras BY lama el khamy

drawn in colour, degas from the burrel

by Elisabet Iris Jonsdottir

“And then he told her.

Told her that it was as before, that he still loved her, he could never stop loving her, that he’d love her until death.” ― Marguerite Duras, The Lover People usually have a favorite book, what they don’t have is a favorite ending. This is what The Lover has to offer. This twisted yet, realistic story renders any reader speechless as we dive into the french colonialist, 19th century era, in Indochina (known now as southeast asia).

Duras’ autobiography is by no means a normal one as she narrates the events in third person and in small subsequent sentences, which weirdly makes the highly fictionalised autobiography even more powerful.

Drawn in Color; ‘Degas from the Burrell’ is an exhibition well worth the trip to the magnificent building that is the National Gallery. Though the gallery sports artworks from hundreds of years made by artists that seem divine, there something subtle and almost relaxing when you head downstairs to a dimly lit gallery that is separated from all the hustle and bustle upstairs; where the rooms are almost made to look like a maze of confusion. Where tourists gather around because, well, it’s the National Gallery.

Edgar Degas was a French painter who lived in the 1900’s. Though he may not be a household name, he is still considered one of the greatest artists of the impressionist era.

He is famed for his obsession with ballerinas whom he painted, drew and made sculptures of. In the exhibition, which features paintings from the collection of Sir William Burrell, you are taken

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through many works that are all representative of his brilliance.

“the exhibition features anything from nudes to dancing ballerinas” So, why not absorb some culture and experience first hand how truly ingenious and talented Degas was. It is safe to say that the National Gallery has something for everyone, so go explore what the art world has to offer! You’ll not only be inspired, but also educated!

This will serve as a great first exhibition to visit if you happen to be an art virgin or just appreciate art itself. Students; have no fear, you’ll have plenty of time to visit as the show will be running into 2018, closing in early May.

Marguerite manages to immerse us in the story where every reader will feel as if they were the beautiful, poor, French teenage girl, starting a perverse relationship with a much older, wealthier, Chinese man.

This book is sure to give you goosebumps with every word you read.

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LIFESTYLE

english quirks you better get used to

BY Teodora Agarici

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hen in England, witness the magic at Hogwarts and have tea with the Queen.

But, if you are really interested in the English culture, there are certain quirks that you should be aware of before you pack your bags.

It is great to be recognised for your politeness, but when you have to apologise to someone who is pounding into you in the street - don’t get me wrong England - you are absolutely weird. This is the reason most of the conversations start and end with ‘sorry’.

Likewise, keep a count on the word “lovely”, especially at restaurants. For a country which has revolutionised literature through Shakespeare, Dickens or Wilde, you would think that their vocabulary had expanded as well. Despite all of it, admitting to keeping the same line in restaurants and

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expressing your inexplicably fascinating love for queuing is indeed “lovely”.

“you have to apologise to someone who is pounding into you in the street” Force of habit, some may call it. If you ever ask an English person for feedback and he replies with ‘quite good’ or ‘not too bad’, it is their way of telling you that your work is a piece of stunk butter.

On the flip side, this innate sense of politeness seems to disappear when talking to lecturers, professors or university staff in general.

Queries and nick names are never unsuitable. For someone outside England, calling people twice your age by their first

name and with whom you are having a professional relationship is strange and disrespectful.

When all is said and done, bring up the weather to the boy next door, it will turn out to be the most intriguing conversation. It’s not a mystery that the majority of time the weather is rainy and cloudy and when the first sun-ray appears, the sunscreen and flip-flops become essential.

According to research by the anthropologist Kate Fox published in her book ‘Watching the English’, at almost any moment, at least a third of the English population is either talking about the weather, has already done so or is about to do it.

Handling all these English habits might not be easy to deal with in the beginning, but let’s face it – every cloud has a silver lining and also, Sherlock lives next door.

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LIFESTYLE

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DON’T MISS tsunami by mishelle thura

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amouflaged at the heels of bustling Clapham High Street, lies the chic sushi restaurant Tsunami.

“This place is heaven for foodies.”

The beer is definitely worth the try, imported from China and Japan. I settled for an Asahi, one of my favourite Japanese beers discovered whilst travelling around Hong Kong. I went for the stir-fry as my main and split the Sashimi Sushi board for starters with a friend.

“It was undeniably filling.”

The restaurant has a unique and sensational dining experience, which everyone has to try at least once whilst living in London.

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Fast Fashion: nightmare or dream?

BY Madison Pearce

With the introduction of “Runway to Rack,” a concept that enables buyers to shop designer clothes straight from the runway, we are faced with the inevitable question of how are we going to keep up with the latest trends?

“We do not have the luxury of buying this season’s must-have items” As students, many of us want to keep up to date with the latest trends, however the reality is that on a student-budget most us do not have the luxury of buying this season’s must-have items.

Traditionally, designer brands have been marketed towards a mature clientele, however in recent years there has been a great shift targeting younger audiences, with the introduction and rebranding of retailers like Yeezy, Gucci, and

Adidas. Although these brands might be appealing to younger buyers, don’t count on a student discount offer from them anytime soon. High-end brands are keeping their high-end prices, making it harder for students to remain ahead of the fashion pack.

Although students may not be able to afford the price tags of a pair of Yeezys, there is a simple solution, ‘Shop smart and shop student’. Highstreet retailers such as Primark, H&M and Zara are heavily influenced by runways and designer brands, offering a cheaper alternative. These retailers are part of the fast fashion world, meaning that their stock is constantly changing to keep up to date and on trend, mirroring the trends from Prada to Gucci.

Another bonus is that retailers who have adopted affordable fast fashion also offer student discounts, usually between ten and twenty per cent. The money saved with these discounts does add up quite quickly.

So, pull out your NUS cards, it’s time to go shopping.

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FASHION

timeless punk

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BY kate reichardt

hat is left of the fashion w o r l d without the ones who dare to challenge the rules? All the revolutionaries have challenged the norms. After all rules are meant to be broken.

Fashion can be an invitation to explore aesthetics and creativity whist engaging with the affairs of the daily life. Those who accept this invitation have the ability to shape and influence culture and also future trends. This is a powerful tool, it can

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be used to communicate social and cultural concerns, incite curiosity or even spark outrage. Those who dare to provoke an emotional response through what they are wearing, can later become style icons of a generation.

“is it safe to say that individuality today is at a shortage?�

We live in a world where fashion has become homogeneous and plain.

People dress and walk around wearing the same style, same designer and even the same colours. Celebrity culture has people dressing in uniforms, emulating the style of their favourite actor or personality, so is it safe to say that individuality today is at a shortage?

Fashion in the end is a commodity, its main purpose is to dress us appropiately for a particular occasion.

The power of fashion however is to challenge us, to make us think about our culture, rules and ourselves.

Is it possible to convey your internal thoughts just

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through fashion, without saying a word? Absolutely.

That is what Coco Chanel did when she challenged the norms of how women were supposed to look in the twentieth-century by giving them a masculine style, this symbolised power at the time. You may not see her as a defiant figure, but she surely was ground-breaking for her time.

The remarkable fashion of the 1970s was part of the ‘Punk Movement’. The ‘Punk Style’ was all about challenging order and the establishment through fashion. The outfits were made of bondage gear, razor blades, dog collars, chokers, chains, and tartan fabric.

The makeup and hair was also done in a shocking and outrageous manner.

Vivienne Westwood probably carries the torch when it comes to Punk. She is a British fashion designer who opened the doors of her famous boutique in King’s Road, called SEX alongside Malcolm McLaren in 1974.

McLaren became manager of the punk rock band The Sex Pistols, and together

“The ‘Punk Style’ was all about challenging order and the establishment through fashion”

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with Westwood they became in charge of dressing the band. It is considered that the ability they both had of merging fashion with music is what shaped the 1970s punk scene in the United Kingdom.

“images of her s&m leather outfits and bright red hair will forever live on”

“Punk has made a comeback, but if you think about it, has it ever really left?”

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and contributed to the styles we see today on the high street.

The collections presented during London Fashion Week autumn/winter 2017, and the big trends of today such as chokers and collars, make us believe that the Punk style has made a comeback. But if you think about it, has it ever really left?

Today, Westwood continues to be a very successful designer. She created and wore outrageous outfits that challenged the system, and also designed merchandised to support her political views such as climate change, civil rights groups and the nuclear disarmament campaign. Images of her S&M leather outfits and bright red hair will forever live on. She inspired punk collections by fashion brands such as Fendi and Versace, and also household name designers like Karl Lagerfeld.

Undoubtedly, Westwood is the woman who brought punk and vivienne westwood’s fall 1994 ready-tonew wave fashion into the mainstream wear collection

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