VIVIENNE WESTWOOD. FEARLESS FEMALE ICON.

Vivienne Westwood is one of the icons of our age; fashion designer, activist, co-creator of punk, global brand and grandmother; a true living legend. Both her name and brand are recognized the world over, whilst at home in the United Kingdom she has attained National Treasure status as the nation's favourite fearless female icon.

She was born in on 8 April 1941, in the village of Tintwistle, Derbyshire. At the age of 17, she moved to London and attended the Harrow School of Art, choosing fashion and silversmithing. Since Westwood's being in London Vivienne was regular visitor of museums. Art, culture and treasures of history have always been very important for Westwood.

At her early life Westwood took job in a factory, have been graduated teacher-training college, and worked as a primary teacher, creating her own jewelry and selling its at a stall on Portobello Road.

Following Dame Westwood's not long-term marriage with Derek Westwood, she met Malcolm McLaren. Her relationship with Derek were ended up. Together with Malcolm Vivienne opened a boutique at 430 King's Road and called it "Let It Rock". Later known variously as "Sex", "Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die", and "Seditionaries") and now Worlds Ends, where Westwood sells her Vivienne Westwood label clothing.

Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren

Vivienne Westwood and friends outside Let it Rock, 1973

Vivienne Westwood Explains Why She Turned To Punk

Vivienne Westwood was deeply keened on the punk fashion phenomenon of the 1970s. The "punk style" included BDSM fashion, bondage gear, safety pins, razor blades, bicycle or lavatory chains on clothing and spiked dog collars for jeweller, as well as outrageous make-up and hair. Essential design elements include the adoption of traditional elements of Scottish design such as tartan fabric. Among the more unusual elements of her style is the use of historical 17th- and 18th-century cloth-cutting principles, and reinterpreting these in, for instance, radical cutting lines to men's trousers. Use of these traditional elements make the overall effect of her designs more "shocking".

Vivienne Westwood dressed in a typical 70s punk outfit including tartan and straps with her friend in leather and studs

  Vivienne Westwood's wedding dress chosen by Dita Von Teese (2005)

Autumn/Winter 2014-15 Campaign featuring Vivienne Westwood