Vivienne Westwood: punk, new romantic and beyond
Track the development of Westwood's truly unique career in fashion – from the edgy printed T-shirts of the punk years, to sumptuous ballgowns
Vivienne Westwood
Traditionalist, provocateur, utterly contemporary: Vivienne Westwood (1941 – 2022) was one of British fashion's most famous – and most contradictory – designers. The woman who helped create punk clocked up over four decades on the cutting edge, and produced some of modern style's most recognisable looks, many of which are represented in our collections.
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The V&A's fashion collection holds garments from some of the most influential periods in Westwood's career. These include exuberant footwear designs, bondage outfits and provocative T-shirts from the punk years; mould-breaking garments from important 1980s collections such as Pirates, Buffalo Girls and Witches; and outfits from the 1990s that demonstrate Westwood's signature reinvention of historical styles.
Collection highlights
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Jamie Reid archive, t-shirt, by Jamie Reid, Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood and Johnny Rotten, 1976, London, England -
Pirate ensemble, designed by Vivienne Westwood, 1981 – 2, London, England -
Jacket, designed by Vivienne Westwood, made by Levi Strauss & Co., 1986, UK -
Pair of platform shoes, designed by Vivienne Westwood, 1993, England -
Corset, designed by Vivienne Westwood, 1988, UK -
Boots, designed by Vivienne Westwood, 1991, UK -
Cut, Slash & Pull ensemble, Vivienne Westwood, 1990, England. Museum no. T.230:1-2002 -
Suit, designed by Vivienne Westwood, about 1995, UK -
Seditionaries ensemble, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, 1976, England. Museum no. T.405 to 7-1995. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Watteau, evening dress with glove, designed by Vivienne Westwood, 1996, UK -
Vivienne Westwood, 1993, photograph, by Juergen Teller, 1993 -
Man's bondage ensemble, designed by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, 1976, UK
Features
Vivienne Westwood: a taste for the past
Discover how looking backwards into history was a rich source of inspiration for Westwood's innovative modern designs
Vivienne Westwood's extreme footwear
Enjoy a selection of Westwood's memorable footwear, from the stilettos of the punk era to the supermodel-toppling platforms of the early '90s
Fashion in Motion: Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood showcased her Gold and Man collections for our Fashion in Motion event
Barbie vs Sindy: who wins the fashion race?
Meet our favourite Barbie and Sindy dolls
Header image: Background image: T-shirt, Jamie Reid archive, designed by Jamie Reid, Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, modified by Johnny Rotten, 1976, England. Museum no. S.794-1990. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London