British punk's grandmother; the Orb monogram and Andreas Kronthaler's continuation.
Vivienne Westwood was 30 when she opened her first shop on the King's Road in London in 1971 with then-partner Malcolm McLaren — the boutique that would dress the Sex Pistols and define British punk.
Westwood died in December 2022 at 81. Her husband and design partner of 33 years, Andreas Kronthaler, continues to lead the brand under the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood label.
Founded 1971.
Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren opened Let It Rock at 430 King's Road in 1971 — a rock-and-roll boutique selling Teddy Boy clothes. The shop was repeatedly renamed: Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die (1972), Sex (1974), Seditionaries (1976) — each iteration more provocative. Sex dressed the Sex Pistols, who McLaren managed. The boutique became the geographic centre of British punk.
Westwood broke with McLaren in 1981 and started showing under her own name. The 'Pirate' collection of Fall 1981 — her first solo runway — established her as a serious designer. Through the 1980s and 1990s she expanded into menswear, jewellery, perfume, and eyewear. The Orb monogram (a mash-up of an orb and a Saturn ring) became her signature in 1987.
Vivienne Westwood died on December 29, 2022 at 81. Her husband Andreas Kronthaler — 25 years her junior, married in 1992, her design partner for 30 years — continues to lead the brand under the dual-credited Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood label.
2 eras of creative direction.
Fifty-one years of the most consistently radical fashion design of the late 20th century. Punk, irony, historical references, political activism — all hers.
Westwood's husband and design partner. He continues to lead the brand under the dual-credit Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood label.
8 icons. Each one a scene; each scene a gallery.
Quilted chain-strap shoulder bag with Orb hardware.
Frame bag with twisted-leather closure.
Top-handle vintage-inspired bag.
Heart-shaped quilted shoulder bag.
Recent Orb-embossed shoulder.
Saffiano leather line with Orb hardware.
Compact Orb-charm crossbody.
Top-handle structured bag.