Vivienne Westwood was born in 1941 in Tintwistle in northern England.

She broke through in the 70s when she designed stage clothes for the punk band Sex Pistols.

But already in 1971 she opened the clothing store Let it Rock together with business and love partner Malcolm McLaren, who would become the band's manager.

- They picked up the punk aesthetic from the street.

It was new to bring in the subcultural so clearly.

The radical nature of her views and how it was expressed in her designs will be what distinguishes her in fashion history, says Emma Severinsson.

In her style, punk is mixed with traditional elements, says Emma Severinsson.

Historical corsets and crinolines are given a modern twist and mixed with tartan patterns, tweed, safety pins and leather.

- It's punk with traditional elements of the British, such as plaid and tweed.

Political commitment

Vivienne Westwood is known for her political commitment, especially in the climate issue.

In 1989, she dressed up as Margaret Thatcher on the cover of Tatler magazine and continued to criticize the British Prime Minister for a long time.

She has also driven a white armored car to David Cameron's house to protest against gas extraction.

The politician has appeared in several collections and fashion shows where she conveyed messages on t-shirts and banners.

- You cannot disconnect her private involvement from fashion, it has been a means for her to put forward her political views.

As recently as 2020, Westwood showed her support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange by locking herself in a birdcage, dressed in yellow, in front of the UK High Court.

Assange then risked extradition to the United States.

In 2019, he was requested to be detained for rape in Sweden.

The preliminary investigation was later closed. 

Punk is coming back

Alexander McQueen is a designer who has been influenced by Vivienne Westwood's fashion creation.

- He has a clear connection to her aesthetics and also had a political commitment.

I think she will be discussed for a long time, says Emma Severinsson.

- The punk is coming back, which should be exciting.