Vivienne Westwood is punk personified. We mean that in the best way possible. She literally pioneered the fashion movement. So it may surprise you to learn that the future icon didn't dream of being a fashion designer. Let's take a trip back to the 70s when Westwood was seeing Malcolm McLaren, who just happened to be the Sex Pistols' manager. McLaren asked Westwood to make clothes for the new band and the rest is fashion history. Westwood sadly passed away in December 2022, but now you can own a piece of that history as Westwood's personal wardrobe is set to be auctioned off in London.
Christie's just announced that it's gotten a hold of Westwood's wonderfully weird wardrobe and is auctioning it off for several great causes. The Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières and THE BIG PICTURE – Vivienne's Playing Cards, which raises money for Greenpeace, will all benefit. The looks set to hit the auction block were selected by Andreas Kronthaler, Westwood's husband and creative director of Vivienne Westwood. Worried there won't be enough to go around? Keep calm and carry on. The auction will sell more than 200 lots spanning four decades across two auctions. There will be a live sale on June 25 and an online auction that runs from June 14 to June 28.
"Vivienne Westwood's sense of activism, art and style is embedded in each and every piece that she created," explains Director Private and Iconic Collections, Christie's, Head of Sale Adrian Hume-Sayer. "The pre-sale exhibition and auctions at Christie's will celebrate her extraordinary vision with a selection of looks that mark significant moments not only in her career, but also in her personal life. This will be a unique opportunity for audiences to encounter both the public and the private world of the great Dame Vivienne Westwood and to raise funds for the causes in which she so ardently believed."
The earliest look is from her Fall 1983 offering called Witches. (It was given that moniker since it was inspired by witchcraft along with Keith Haring's magic symbols.) You'll be able to bid on a statement navy set from the critically acclaimed collection. There's also a corset gown comprised of taupe silk taffeta from the Dressed to Scale Fall 1998 collection that any current coquette will want to work into their wardrobe. It wouldn't be Westwood without at least one political statement. From Propaganda Fall 2005 comes a daring dress styled with a striped blouse as well as a "printed propaganda modesty panel and apron."
That's just for starters. Supporting the auction not only helps the designated charities, it also allows anyone to celebrate Earth Day all year long by rewearing Westwood's wardrobe.
