VIVIENNE Westwood, who has died at the age of 81, was the woman who created the punk look as we know it.
As well as being one of the most influential designers in the UK, she was a fiercely outspoken political activist, reportedly donating £300,000 to the Green Party of England and Wales in 2015 before switching to Labour to back former leader Jeremy Corbyn.
But she also came out in favour of Scottish independence before the first referendum, saying she thought Scotland was “better” than England.
She dedicated her 2014 London fashion week show to the issue and sent models down the catwalk wearing Yes badges.
She also issued a statement during the show entitled “Democracy in the UK” – spelt out in the classic punk cut-up style.
In it, The Guardian reported at the time that Westwood said Scottish independence “could be the turning point towards a better world”, adding: “They could lead by example.”
The statement went on: “Scottish independence could be a great day for democracy.
“They already have a more democratic financial system, eg no tuition fees, and they care more for people.
“They just wouldn’t do what we’re doing in England ... In England there is hardly any democracy left.
“The government does what it wants. That which should belong to people – it gives it all to business.”
Westwood was born in Tintwistle, Derbyshire and died earlier this week in Clapham, London – her home for the bulk of her life. It is not thought she ever lived outside of England.
29th December 2022. Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better. pic.twitter.com/YQwVixYUrV
— Vivienne Westwood (@FollowWestwood) December 29, 2022
But that didn’t stop her telling reporters in 2014 of her hatred for her home country.
She said: “I hate England … I like Scotland because somehow I think they are better than we are. They are more democratic.”
The Better Together campaign was “frightened and stupid”, according to the fashion icon.
A political butterfly, Westwood has supported Labour, the Greens, and even briefly joined the Conservatives in 2007 in protest against then-prime minister Gordon Brown.
The Daily Telegraph reported her as saying: “People ask why I've become a Tory but it's not anything to do with [David] Cameron, although I guess he's alright.
“It's to do with the fact that he's not Gordon Brown and there's nobody else to vote for at the next election."
She also campaigned for the release of US military whistleblower Chelsea Manning, the freedom of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, vegetarianism, and the fight against climate change.
