As Britain's most irreverent Dame and one of Van Mildert HQ's all time favourite designers, we're eager to update you on all things Vivienne Westwood. Judging by her outspoken 'Yes' campaign, exciting spring/summer 2015 collection and everything in between, the ever-assiduous Vivienne Westwood show no signs of slowing down, and we couldn't be happier.
Yes Campaign
Not shy of airing her opinions, Dame Vivienne Westwood recently used the Red Label Spring/Summer 2015 show at London Fashion Week to fuel her lust for anarchy in the U.K. by supporting the 'yes' vote in the highly controversial Scottish referendum. The results of the poll, which didn't go Westwood's way, were supported with a strongly Gaelic catwalk by the iconic British designer with models strutting up and down the catwalk adorned with a ‘Yes’ badge.
Westwood recently elaborated on her Scottish Independence comments, explaining: “I used to love England – but the government does what they want and they’re ruining the country. The reason I want Scottish independence is because they could have a more friendly government. Democracy isn’t working – what can we do to save England?"
Born in Derbyshire, Westwood is known for her iconic use of tartan and Harris Tweed, and even recently attended the Scottish Fashion Awards Hall of Fame where she is said to have told the hundreds of guests in her acceptance speech about her fears of fracking in Scotland, and praised the free higher education in the country. She added that Scotland could be "a model to us all ... if it could become a people-friendly society".
Autumn/Winter 2014 – Vivienne Westwood at Van Mildert
Before catapulting to Westwood’s S/S15 collections Vivienne also has a lot in store for us this autumn-winter. Her Anglomania collection takes inspiration from climate change and its effect on one of the coldest places on earth - the Arctic. The collection features the classic Distressed Tartan print and Stave Lace orgy.
This season’s beautiful Red Label range features warm and luxurious textures, just in time for the colder season. The voluminous coats and silky frilled shirts gives the impression of a woman with importance and privilege, while the blend of tartan and velvet makes for a unique appearance.
As for the MAN collection, inspiration is taken from Pompei to Sci-Fi, reflecting the spectrum of time between past and future, concentrating on the concept of ‘memories of Earth’. It features Mosaic prints represented in the wool and cotton jacquards while the bold geometric shapes in shades of grey and green remind us of the concrete cities of today.
Spring/Summer 2015 Preview
Ever since the 1970s and Westwood’s adoration for all things Punk and new wave it seems that the designer has always been rather anti-establishment. Her recent Red Label collection on the runway at LFW for Spring/Summer 2015 saw garments rich in both colour and print, inspired by ancient Greece and paganism, the work of Russian artist Leon Bakst and French fashion of the 18th century.
(Written by Megan Chambers)