Vivienne Westwood 1970s

Vivienne Westwood was a pioneering British fashion designer and activist.

Dubbed “the undisputed Queen of British fashion” by musician Boy George, the acclaimed late designer bridged the gap between music and fashion in a manner that has reverberated for decades. Today, her namesake label is beloved for its long history of imaginative, unique designs.

Many celebrities sport Vivienne Westwood pieces. Among them are Kim Kardashian, Thandiwe Newton, Salma Hayek, Gigi Hadid, Kate Hudson and Halsey. In recent years, social media influencers have introduced the luxury brand to a new generation of fashionistas.

Westwood was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1992 and was made a Dame in 2006. The award-winning designer died in 2022.

On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Vivienne Westwood apparel and accessories.

The Vivienne Westwood brand is strongly committed to sustainable practices. There is an extensive section on the brand’s official website that outlines the various and wide-ranging efforts that the company has made over the years to support sustainable business practices. These efforts include how the brand sources materials, how its products are packaged, which materials are used in the production of its apparel and accessories, where its manufacturing takes place, and more. Find Vivienne Westwood bags, clothing and shoes from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Where Vivienne Westwood products are made varies. Per the official Vivienne Westwood website, three-quarters of the global fashion brand’s manufacturing and sourcing is managed through a hub in Milan, Italy. Twenty-five percent of the company’s supply chain is managed through its headquarters in London.

The majority of the suppliers managed through Vivienne Westwood’s hub in Milan are located in Italy, followed by Turkey, Portugal, Tunisia and Kenya. The suppliers managed through the brand’s London hub are located in Thailand and the UK, with one manufacturer located in Hong Kong.

The company’s Made in Kenya collections have been supported by Artisan Fashion, an organization that manages relationships between clients and community groups of artisans in Kenya by way of a production hub in Nairobi.

Find vintage Vivienne Westwood clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.

Vivienne Westwood is so popular for several reasons. Dubbed “the undisputed Queen of British fashion” by musician Boy George, the acclaimed late British designer bridged the gap between music and fashion in a manner that has reverberated for decades. Today, the label is beloved for its long history of imaginative, unique designs. Many celebrities sport Vivienne Westwood pieces. Among them are Kim Kardashian, Thandiwe Newton, Salma Hayek, Gigi Hadid, Kate Hudson and Halsey. In recent years, social media influencers have introduced the luxury brand to a new generation of fashionistas. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Vivienne Westwood apparel and accessories.

Vivienne Westwood studied at the Harrow School of Art in Harrow, UK, and at the University of Westminster in London.

She took courses in both fashion design and silversmithing. However, she did not stay at either institution long enough to earn a degree. In the early 1960s, she began to make her own necklaces and other jewelry and met artist, activist and entrepreneur Malcolm McLaren. She made clothes for him in the style of the Teddy Boys, the city's music-crazed, occasionally violent teenagers who wore high-waisted trousers and tailored velvet blazers that drew on Edwardian-era fashions. Westwood and McLaren opened a vintage shop on King's Road in London in 1971, and eventually, Westwood produced and sold her own pieces at the store, marking the start of her work as a designer.

Shop a selection of Vivienne Westwood apparel, jewelry and accessories on 1stDibs.

You can buy Vivienne Westwood clothing and accessories directly from the global fashion brand’s official website. You can also search for a store location near you by using the site’s “store locator” function. Find vintage Vivienne Westwood bags, clothing and shoes from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Yes, Vivienne Westwood necklaces may tarnish if they're made out of sterling silver or brass. These metals can react with chemicals in chlorine, skin and hair care products and perfumes, leading to discoloration. The likelihood of tarnishing can be lowered by applying beauty products before putting on jewelry and allowing the skin to dry completely before wearing jewelry. Also, avoid showering, bathing or swimming with a necklace on to minimize tarnishing. On 1stDibs, find a range of Vivienne Westwood jewelry.

To tell if a Vivienne Westwood bag is real, check for the plate. Each bag will feature a plate with an inscription of the brand. Look to see that the plate features crisp and evenly spaced lettering. Continue examining the bag to look for any stitching flaws or asymmetrical details. A true Vivienne Westwood bag will be flawless. Always purchase Vivienne Westwood bags from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Shop a large collection of Vivienne Westwood bags from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Many Vivienne Westwood bags are made in Italy. That information is noted on a plate within the bag, which is one way to authenticate a Vivienne Westwood bag. However, in 2014 the brand introduced a line of ethical bags that do not contain leather. These bags are made in South Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Shop a collection of vintage and new Vivienne Westwood bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

You can buy Vivienne Westwood jewelry directly from Vivienne Westwood boutiques as well as through authorized retailers. For physical store locations, consult the brand’s website. There are official Vivienne Westwood stores in London, Los Angeles, Beijing, Milan and elsewhere.

Vintage Vivienne Westwood jewelry is available for purchase through multiple platforms, including 1stDibs.

Audacious British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood initially began her career in jewelry, creating necklaces, brooches and other accessories in the early 1960s. Decades later, long after she found herself dressing the Sex Pistols and bridging the gap between music and fashion in a manner that has reverberated throughout the industry for years, Westwood gained recognition for her venturesome work with pearls, upending the legacy of an object that has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period.

Find vintage Vivienne Westwood jewelry for sale on 1stDibs.

Vivienne Westwood was made a Dame in 2006. The pioneering fashion designer was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1992. Shop vintage Vivienne Westwood clothing and accessories from some of the top boutiques around the world on 1stDibs.

Yes, Vivienne Westwood is considered luxury. Many people consider Westwood to be the grande dame of British design for her bold pieces that often draw inspiration from historic sources, such as pirates and the Louis XIV era. From 1971, when she and Malcolm McLaren first opened a vintage shop in London, the British designer was interested in provocative, edgy apparel that brought a high-end version of punk to the masses. Her fashion house has fostered a reputation for providing well-made pieces featuring fine materials, like silk and high-quality leather. Find a selection of Vivienne Westwood apparel, jewelry and accessories on 1stDibs.

Why your Vivienne Westwood necklace is rusting may be due to something it was exposed to. Sterling silver can tarnish, rust or corrode due to chlorine, seawater and chemicals found in soaps, body washes, perfumes, lotions and other skin care and beauty products. Discoloration doesn't just occur with Vivienne Westwood jewelry. It can happen to any necklace made out of sterling silver. You can reduce the risk of tarnishing by removing your jewelry before you bathe, swim and apply body lotion and other products. Following the care instructions provided by Vivienne Westwood can also help to keep your necklace looking like new. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Vivienne Westwood jewelry.

One of Vivienne Westwood's signature designs is the Orb, which the British fashion house frequently incorporates into jewelry, such as necklaces and rings. That motif has also appeared on the chests of polo shirts and dresses produced by the brand. Many Vivienne Westwood tops and dresses also show off the designer's signature gathering and draping techniques. Another element frequently featured in pieces created by the luxury brand is tartan plaid fabric. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Vivienne Westwood pieces.

Vivienne Westwood’s influence on fashion is deep and broad-ranging.

Westwood was only in her early 20s when she was creating jewelry in London during the 1960s, and her career in fashion began to take shape in the 1970s. She was quickly recognized for her unconventional and edgy approach, and opened a vintage shop with like-minded artist Malcolm McLaren.

Westwood found herself at the forefront of punk rock, and as the culture gained steam and its musicians rose to fame, so too did her preference for checkered prints, biker styles and provocative messaging. Her work became the look of punk and she was soon dressing members of the Sex Pistols.

The first Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren show marked the debut of the Pirate Collection, a swashbuckler-themed line that sprang from Westwood’s research into Indigenous Americans and the “power garments” of the Louis XIV era (this collection heavily influenced the likes of John Galliano and Alexander McQueen). For the colorful corsets of her 1990 Portrait collection, Westwood drew on 18th-century oil paintings, and her models donned the pearl necklaces that have become a social media star and a favorite of influencers and fashion lovers all over the world.

Dubbed “the undisputed Queen of British fashion” by musician Boy George, the acclaimed, award-winning late designer bridged the gap between music and fashion in a manner that has reverberated for decades. Today, her namesake label is beloved for its long history of imaginative, unique designs.

Find vintage Vivienne Westwood clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.