Vivienne Westwood

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Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion designer who is famous for her rebellious and innovative style. She is considered one of the pioneers of the punk and new wave movements in the 1970s and 1980s, and she has also influenced many other designers and artists.

She was born in 1941 in Cheshire, England, and she studied art and literature at university. She married Derek Westwood in 1962, but they divorced in 1965 after she met Malcolm McLaren, who became her partner and collaborator. McLaren was the manager of the Sex Pistols, a punk rock band that wore Westwood’s clothes and caused controversy with their music and attitude.

She started to show her collections in Paris in 1981, and she became more respected and influential in the fashion industry. She won several awards for her designs, such as the British Fashion Designer of the Year in 1990, 1991, and 2006. She also received honors from the French government, Harvard University, and the Noguchi Museum. In 2017, she had a retrospective exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

She is one of the most iconic and influential fashion designers of all time. She has a unique vision and style that reflects her personality and beliefs. She once said: "I have a philosophy of life: I’m not here to live up to your expectations; you’re not here to live up to mine."

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Pirate Boots

The pirate boots are a pair of leather boots with buckles and straps that were part of her first runway collection, Pirate, in 1981. They became a cult item and influenced many other designers.

The pirate boots are a versatile and elegant accessory that can be worn with casual or formal outfits. They are also spacious and practical, with multiple pockets and compartments.

The pirate boots are a classic and timeless piece that reflects Westwood’s style and personality. They are also part of the collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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Mini-Crini

The mini-crini skirt is a short and flared skirt that Vivienne Westwood designed in 1985. It combines the construction of the Victorian crinoline with the modern mini-skirt. It is one of Westwood’s most iconic and playful creations

Westwood said that the mini-crini was a “cardinal change” for her label, as it shifted to more fitted and feminine silhouettes. She was inspired by Petrushka, a ballet burlesque, and by her desire to counteract the big masculine shoulders of 1980s fashion. She wanted to make women sexy and curvaceous, and to draw attention to their hips.

The mini-crini was praised by some critics as a radical and artistic expression, while others questioned its practicality and taste. It became a symbol of Westwood’s punk and new wave aesthetic, which challenged the norms of fashion and society. It also influenced many other designers and celebrities who adopted it or similar versions.

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Orb Logo

The orb is a logo that Vivienne Westwood designed in 1986. It combines a stylized cross, a ring, and a globe. It is one of Westwood’s most recognizable and symbolic creations.

Westwood said that the orb was inspired by the royal orb from the British crown jewels, which represents the power and authority of the monarchy. She also said that the orb was a sign of her respect for tradition and history, but also of her desire to create something new and futuristic. She said: "The orb is my symbol of the future."

The orb was first used on the label, buttons, and jewelry of Westwood’s clothes. It later appeared on many other products, such as perfume bottles, umbrellas, chandeliers, and neon lights. It became a symbol of Westwood’s punk and new wave aesthetic, which challenged the norms of fashion and society. It also influenced many other designers and celebrities who adopted it or similar versions.