The pioneer who brought punk-inspired creations to the mainstream has died aged 81.
Image source, PA MediaBritish fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood has died aged 81.
In a statement on Twitter, her fashion house said she died “peacefully and surrounded” by her family in Clapham, South London.
Westwood made her name with her controversial punk and new wave styles in the 1970s and went on to dress some of the biggest names in fashion.
Her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: “I will continue with Vivienne in my heart.
“We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with.”
Westwood came to prominence on the fashion scene in the 1970s, with her androgynous designs, slogan t-shirts and irreverent attitude towards the establishment.
She was known as a staunch activist and brought causes she cared about, like climate change, to the catwalk.
The designer was made a Dame for services to fashion in 2006.
Image source, PA Media
Derbyshire-born Westwood worked as a primary school teacher, before setting up clothing shop Let It Rock on King’s Road in Chelsea with her then partner Malcolm McLaren in the early 1970s.
The business was later renamed Sex and in late 1975 and McLaren began managing a punk rock band made shop regulars – the Sex Pistols. They shot to fame wearing the Westwood and McLaren’s designs.