Tributes to Dame Vivienne Westwood have begun to pour in following the fashion pioneer's death aged 81. The designer, who took the punk style into the mainstream and saw her name become a global luxury brand, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, her representatives said.
Spice Girl and fashion designer Victoria Beckham paid tribute to Dame Vivienne on her Instagram stories. Sharing a picture of Dame Vivienne, she wrote: “I’m so sad to learn of the passing of legendary designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood. My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time VB.”
Yoko Ono tweeted: "Rest in peace, Vivienne. What a woman - so young at heart, motivated, beautiful and elegant. Our love and deepest condolences."
Singer Boy George described Dame Vivienne as “great and inspiring” as he paid tribute to her following her death. He tweeted: “R.I.P to the great and inspiring Vivienne Westwood who lead us through punk and beyond.
“Laughed at by the fashion industry but without question she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion. I love you! Oh bondage up yours!”
Singer Billy Idol, who first found fame on the London punk rock music scene, tweeted: “RIP it will take me a bit to take this in…”.
American fashion designer Marc Jacobs said he was “heartbroken” at the news of Dame Vivienne’s death. In a post on Instagram, he wrote: “Heartbroken.
“You did it first. Always. Incredible style with brilliant and meaningful substance.
“I continue to learn from your words, and, all of your extraordinary creations. I will always remember the night we bonded over our mutual love for Yves Saint Laurent.
“You never failed to surprise and to shock. I am grateful for the moments I got to share with you and Andreas. Rest in Peace dear Vivienne, although, somehow peace seems like the wrong word.”
He ended his message sending wishes to her husband Andreas, writing: “My deepest sympathies to Andreas and your family.”
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) described Dame Vivienne as a “true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion”.
A tweet said: “We are saddened to learn about the passing of legendary designer Vivienne Westwood. A true revolutionary and rebellious force in fashion.”
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan paid tribute to Dame Vivienne, writing on Twitter: “A sad day, Vivienne Westwood was and will remain a towering figure in British fashion.
“Her punk style rewrote the rule book in the 1970s and was widely admired for how she stayed true to her own values throughout her life.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Vivienne Westwood was a creative icon who helped cement the UK at the very forefront of modern fashion. My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
TV presenter Jonathan Ross was also among the people paying tribute to Dame Vivienne. He tweeted: “RIP the great Vivienne Westwood. Unique. Brilliant. Uncompromising. Thanks Viv x”.
And British GQ tweeted: "Rest in peace Vivienne Westwood, punk’s grande dame."
