Vivienne Westwood at Paris Fashion Week in 2005
(Picture: AP)London Fashion Week will be dedicated to the late designer Dame Vivienne Westwood as organisers have revealed the event will celebrate her “extraordinary” impact on the industry.
The pioneer, who passed away aged 81 in December, rose to fame in the 1970s with her androgynous designs, slogan t-shirts and irreverent attitude towards the establishment. She dressed some of the world’s most famous women — including Adele and Lady Gaga.
Speaking to the Standard, the British Fashion Council’s new chair David Pemsel said it was “only right” that London Fashion Week — which begins on Friday — was dedicated to Dame Vivienne.
He told the Standard she represented “everything that was brilliant about the intersection of Britishness and fashion”. Pemsel, who took over his three-year role at BFC in September, said: “She was ultimately iconic. She represented everything that was brilliant about the intersection of Britishness and fashion. She was an activist. She used her platform to talk about climate change, civil rights, free speech. She is the embodiment of our extraordinary industry.”
He added: “It is only right and appropriate that we dedicate the entire week to her. We must celebrate her contribution as she was extraordinary and unique.”
LFW will feature several exhibitions showcasing Dame Vivienne’s work, activism and designs.
Many designers are expected to pay tribute in their own shows. The week, which runs until Tuesday, will see 127 brands showcasing their designs across 104 physical exhibitions and catwalk shows plus 41 digital offerings. It is being hailed by organisers as a “five-day celebration of creativity and innovation that brings together fashion, culture, and technology.”
The September edition of Fashion Week, one of the biggest since 2020 and the start of the pandemic, was cancelled due to the death of the Queen. Mr Pemsel said there was “pent-up” excitement for the week, calling it a “huge moment” for British fashion. He said: “The last fashion week we had to rightfully and respectfully postpone due to the passing of the Queen. There was a huge amount of excitement around it, to come out of lockdown and begin to put the British fashion industry back on the map, but that had to be deferred. It has become even more critically important that we come together as an industry and regain and amplify this extraordinary business. ”
He added: “In that context, it is a huge moment in the fashion industry.” He said the twice-annual fashion weeks show off what British fashion contributes “and our role in the world.”
Mr Pemsel said our fashion was enjoying a moment in the global spotlight… “you only need to look at Sam Smith at the Brits, Harry Styles was wearing Harris Reed, Rihanna at the Super Bowl in Loewe — these looks are proof and put our industry on the global cultural stage. The UK is known for its unique, anarchic creativity. So we want to showcase that.”
The event will also host a dedication to Ukrainian fashion on Tuesday, February 21.
