Vivienne Westwood

Always ahead of the curve, countercultural icon Vivienne Westwood sent shockwaves through the fashion world in the 1970s with her provocative, anti-establishment designs. From the skull-and-crossbones branding of her first boutique to her controversial shop SEX, which specialized in “rubberwear for the office,” the UK designer has undergone a variety of stylistic incarnations. Westwood’s 1981 anti-punk collection Pirates—her first runway show—gained widespread popularity, inspiring the New Romantics and setting the stage for an illustrious career. Today, the designer’s notoriously rebellious aesthetic continues to subtly infuse historic references into collections of ready-to-wear, jewelry, and leather goods. Womenswear staples are invigorated with an eclectic array of off-beat patterns and unmistakable motifs, all while capturing the natural beauty of dynamic fabrics. A beloved and idiosyncratic pillar within the fashion industry, Vivienne Westwood’s signature perspective never fails to titillate and delight.