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My little black dress loves dresses by Vivienne Westwood, the English designer renowned for her daring clothes and her provocative style.
Self-taught in fashion design, the great lady of the “Punk” movement has never lost her strong taste for antiestablishment.
Biography of Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood was born in Tintwistle, UK, on 16th April 1941. She was the eldest of three children. She had a puritan, Calvinist upbringing and went on to study at the Harrow School of Art, which later became the University of Westminster.
Vivienne Westwood first worked as a primary school teacher until 1971.
She married Derek Westwood in 1962 and they had a son, named Benjamin. They divorced 4 years later. Vivienne kept her married name of Westwood even though she was living with Malcom McLaren in 1967. Malcom McLaren was manager of the group “New York” and then the “Sex Pistols”. Joseph, their son was the director of the lingerie brand “Agent Provocateur”.
During this period, a new fashion trend arrives from the USA: “Punk” which was inspired by the street look and poverty. It is during this time that Vivienne Westwood’s black dresses come into fashion.
In 1971, Vivienne Westwood gave up her career as teacher and opened a shop in 430 Kings Road in London with Malcom McLaren. The shop became the symbol of “Punk” whose name would often change: “Let it rock”, “Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die”. Vivienne Westwood launched into designing clothes. Her collections sported leather, zips, chains, etc… She even dressed the Sex Pistols, which contributed to her growing fame. With her extravagant red wigs and outrageous make-up style, the lady herself rarely went unnoticed.
In 1980, she was classed among the 6 most influential designers. She organises fashion shows in London as well as Paris and was the first English designer to offer her creations in Paris. She was named the best English Designer of the Year, three times. She had completely revolutionised the fashion world, her style is recognisable by the folds of her fabrics.
In 2004 and 2005, boutiques opened in New York and Hong Kong and Vivienne also launched her line of shoes, jewellery and bags.
She has been a source of inspiration for John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Rolf. Her shows are still as modern, rock and rebellious as ever but also offer glamorous, high fashion, Vivienne Westwood dresses.
Her universe speaks to women who accept and feel good about themselves, women who are comfortable making the most of their curves. The Vivienne Westwood black dresses are feminine and sexy.
You will be surprised at her creations; so don’t hesitate to pay a visit to Ma Petite Robe Noire and slip into one of her elegant dresses. You are likely to be seduced!
“If you think something is true because everybody else does, it means you really aren’t thinking at all!” Vivienne Westwood.
