The fashion industry is in mourning today following the news of Vivienne Westwood’s death, aged 81.
On Thursday, the late designer’s official Instagram account shared a post about the British designer’s passing, which read: ‘Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London.
‘Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better. She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.’
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Since news of Westwood’s death hit the headlines, designers, models, singers and actors from around the world have taken to social media to share their condolences and memories of the designer, who made a dame for services to fashion in 2006.
Footwear designer Brian Atwood shared a series of posts on Instagram Stories which read: ‘Loss of an icon. A woman. A designer. That helped define a generation.’
Fashion designer Zac Posen wrote on Instagram: ‘Dame #viviennewestwood A brilliant original who changed the world of fashion and culture. A pioneer, Time Bandit, shape shifter, imagineering provocateur and a bold vocal Activist. She wanted us to save our own home from climate change and over-consumption. She was on a ecological crusade. Let’s not forget and learn from her wisdom and take more action! #climaterevolution.’
Fellow British fashion designer Stella McCartney said that Westwood 'wanted to make fashion better'.
'Vivienne pushed every single boundary and held her head so high. She was cheeky, irreverent and had the truest f*ck-you vibe I have ever known. I have never ever met anyone else like her,' an excerpt of her Instagram tribute read.
Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli shared several images of Westwood on his Instagram Stories to pay tribute, while designer Marc Jacobs commented on a post: ‘Rest in Peace dear Vivienne.’
Fashion designer Victoria Beckham shared her condolences on Instagram, writing: ‘I’m so sad to learn of the passing of legendary designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood. My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time. VB.’
New York Times fashion director and critic Vanessa Friedman posted ‘Farewell Vivienne Westwood, a true fashion original, and disruptor extraordinaire’ on Twitter, while celebrity stylist Karla Welch wrote on Instagram: ‘God save the Queen.’
‘She will be remembered in style textbooks for ushering in London’s counterculture scene to high fashion, but I think she’d want to be remembered most for her advocacy, specifically global warming,’ an excerpt of fashion journalist Derek Blasberg’s post on Instagram read.
Model Christy Turlington, who worked with Westwood several times throughout her career, added on Instagram: 'Talk about a change maker, non conformist, environmentalist! @viviennewestwood was ahead of it ALL! An artist, a punk, a working mother and also a designer whose brand is still as relevant today as ever. I feel so lucky to have known her a little during an important phase of my career in fashion. [sic]'
Fellow 'Super' Helena Christensen noted on Instagram: 'Somehow I imagined Vivienne living way into her 100s. She still had so many urgent matters to shed light on, so many causes to support, still so many injustices to be outspoken about …and so many more magical outfits to still create.'
Several of Westwood’s biggest fans from the realms of music and acting also shared messages about her.
Sex and the City actor Kim Cattrall described the Derbyshire-born designer as a ‘genius’ and ‘priestess of punk’. ‘A true genius who never lost her northern grit,’ Cattrall captioned an Instagram photo of hugging Westwood.
Actor Rose McGowan, who previously walked in a Westwood show, tweeted that she was ‘deeply saddened by a true punk’s passing’. She went on to described the designer as a ‘hellraiser’.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
