Bright, shocking and scandalous Vivienne Westwood is familiar to every fashion fan. Her collections always cause a lot of talk and controversy, but they never go unnoticed. During her life, she inspired many fashion designers, created hundreds of incredible clothing models. And, despite her already advanced age, Vivienne Westwood still continues to do what she loves.
Vivienne Westwood (birth name: Vivienne Isabelle Swire) is a shining star in the fashion world. She is the trendsetter of many scandalous, provocative styles and elements in clothing. Her clients included such stars as Gwen Stefani and Mick Jagger.
Biography: life before the start of a creative career
The future fashion star was born on April 8, 1941. For more than 10 years she lived with her parents in Tintwhistle (Cheshire, England), but in 1958 the family moved to London.
During her childhood, Vivienne did not show an increased interest in art. She grew up as an ordinary child, studied very well at school. However, from adolescence, Vivienne began to be interested in fashion trends, she was attracted by tailoring, she liked to come up with sketches of various outfits. Gradually, the passion for this kind of art captured Vivienne. Therefore, having received basic education at school, she entered the art school. After studying there for only one semester, Vivienne was forced to pick up the documents and transfer to the teacher's college. The financial situation of the family required such a decision, and the reason was Vivien's very early first marriage. The profession of an elementary school teacher, which the young Vivienne Westwood eventually received, assumed a more stable income than engaging in creativity.
The turning point in Westwood's life came in the late 1960s. During that period, fate brought her together with Malcolm McLaren. He studied at the Academy of Arts and managed to inspire Vivienne to create new designs for clothes. At the dawn of 1971, Vivienne finally turned her attention to the fashion industry and realized that fashion is exclusively what she wants to do.
Fashion career
In 1971, together with McLaren, Vivienne opened a clothing and CD store in Chelsea, which was named Let it Rock. The clothes that Vivienne Westwood offered stood out from the rest of the fashion trends. She was informal, the models were bold and defiant. It was Vivienne who ultimately brought into fashion the punk style, outfits based on historical costumes, shapeless clothes with stretched knees and elbows, mesh and latex elements.
In 1973, the store changed its name to Too Fast Too Live Too Young To Die, which fully reflected the punk style. Later - in 1974 - the boutique was renamed again, now there was only one provocative word on the plate - Sex.
The next successful step that made Vivien famous throughout the country was the work with the Sex Pistols, which began in 1976. Vivienne created concert outfits for the punk rock band. Gradually, the fans of the group began to imitate their idols, which attracted even more interest in clothing from Vivienne Westwood.
In 1980-1981, the Chelsea store once again changed its name to World's End. Now Vivienne's interest was focused on street fashion. At the same time, she created her first brand - Vivienne Westwood.
In 1981, Vivienne presented her fashion collection for the first time at London Fashion Week.
In 1983, a new scandalous collection was presented for the first time at Paris Fashion Week.
In 1984, Vivienne Westwood's second boutique, Nostalgia of Mud, was opened in London.
In the early 1990s, the already famous designer turned her attention to men's fashion. She created a fashionable collection that she presented to the general public in Florence.
In 1992, Vivienne received the OBE Order, and in 2006 the order was promoted to DBE. During the same period of time, she was listed among the members of the Royal Society of Arts.
In 1998, Vivienne signed her consent to the development of the project with Japanese fashion designers, and also received an award for her contribution to the development of fashion. At the same time, she became interested in perfumery. The perfume created by Vivienne, Boudoir, was launched on the world market.
Over the course of time, the style of clothing created by Vivienne and the materials used in tailoring have changed. It was she who once brought into fashion huge patch pockets, strict women's coats with a straight cut, high heels and platforms. Today, she pays great attention to youth fashion, reflects in her collections the most acute and provocative issues affecting people around the world.
Personal life
Vivienne's first marriage was concluded in 1962. She became the wife of Derek Westwood. The family had two children: Rose and Benjamin. However, the marriage fell apart quickly enough.
Malcolm McLaren became the next chosen one of Vivienne Westwood. They lived in a civil marriage for 13 years. From this union, one child was born - a boy named Joseph.
The last passion of Vivienne Westwood was Andreas Krontaler. The acquaintance happened at the Vienna Academy. The third husband, Vivienne, is more than 20 years younger than her.
How is Vivienne Westwood living now? She continues to pursue fashion, her stores open all over the world. However, due to her age, she transferred most of the obligations to her current husband.
