Vivienne Westwood Logo

The brand’s past: The first “Let It Rock” boutique opened on London’s King’s Road by Vivienne Westwood and her then-partner Malcolm McLaren marked the beginning of Vivienne Westwood. The shop specialized in clothing in the rockabilly and 1950s throwback styles. This was the start of Westwood’s artistic career in the fashion industry.

The shop changed its name to “Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die” in 1972, concentrating on selling apparel for motorcycle riders and rock stars. The designer started making her designs and experimenting with subculture-specific materials like chains and leather.

A new chapter in the brand’s history began in 1974. The store changed its name once more to “SEX,” and it started selling provocative clothes with fetish and BDSM themes. Around this time, the punk movement was growing in the UK, and Westwood emerged as a major figure in the definition of punk style.

The designer and McLaren established their reputation as punk fashion icons in 1976 when they designed famous ensembles for the band Sex Pistols. The designer created a line of apparel that featured chains, pins, and shredded t-shirts, among other accessories that later represented punk culture.

A significant turning point in the designer’s career occurred in 1981. Her debut runway show, “Pirates,” took place in London. With this collection, she shifted from punk aesthetics to her signature romantic and historical style.

The designer kept refining her distinct look in the 1980s by fusing vintage accents with contemporary fashion. The fashion industry praised her creations from this era, including “Buffalo Girls” (1982) and “Witches” (1983).

1989 was noteworthy because she won the UK’s Designer of the Year award, cementing her standing as one of the top fashion designers in Britain.

The brand kept growing during the 1990s. A men’s apparel line debuted in 1990, and a second brand named “Red Label”—geared at a younger demographic—was introduced in 1993.

The designer received an Order of the British Empire in 1992 for her contributions to fashion, making it a memorable year for her. Her daring attire at the prize presentation helped to make her unwavering devotion to shock and rebellion legendary.

One of her most well-known inventions, platform shoes, was unveiled in 1993. They became iconic and shaped 1990s design trends.

The company continued to grow during the 2000s. In 2004, a range of accessories, including jewelry and luggage, was introduced. The designer and Melissa started working together in 2006 to produce eco-friendly footwear.

The brand’s first flagship store opened in Los Angeles in 2008, further solidifying its position in the US market.

The designer became a significant player in the fashion industry in the 2010s. Her fashion week appearances in Paris and London always generated conversation and attention.

The documentary “Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist,” which detailed the designer’s life and career, was released in 2016.

The designer debuted a collection in 2017 that drew inspiration from the carnival in Venice. Like many of her earlier creations, this collection incorporated political themes, contemporary style, and historical motifs.

In 2018, the company’s organization underwent a major shift. The designer’s husband and frequent creative collaborator, Andreas Kronthaler, formally assumed the position of creative director. By choosing this, the designer could still oversee the company’s creative direction and concentrate on her advocacy.

The company commemorated its 50th anniversary in 2019. A unique anniversary collection that reinterpreted some of her most well-known designs and highlighted significant events in the brand’s history was unveiled to mark this significant occasion.

Additionally, in 2019, the brand increased the scope of its accessory assortment by launching a fresh range of purses and tiny leather products that immediately won over the brand’s devoted following.

For the company, 2020 was a year of digital innovation. To adjust to changing times, the brand presented its collection in a digital version. This show maintained the dramatic approach to fashion presentation, a designer’s hallmark.

In 2021, the designer launched a range of jewelry influenced by historical themes and the company’s emblems as part of its ongoing development.

In 2022, the brand and ASICS collaborated to create a line of distinctive sneakers that fused sports fashion with avant-garde design.

The company improved its online presence that same year by introducing a new website and increasing its capacity for online sales.

A new collection of home textiles was introduced in 2023, allowing enthusiasts to incorporate the designer’s style into their interior design.

With its distinctive style that blends punk aesthetics with historical costume elements and contemporary trends, the brand remained a major player in the high fashion industry. As the designer’s style has always been, the company also used fashion for social and political commentary.

Even when creative leadership changed hands, the designer’s vision and influence persisted in shaping the brand’s identity and solidifying its distinct place in the fashion industry.

The designer stuck to her values throughout her career, fusing cutting-edge design with social criticism and political action. Her brand grew from a little store on King’s Road to a multinational fashion conglomerate while retaining its distinct, thought-provoking aesthetic and dedication to excellence and originality.