By Anne-Marie Jones
1 – Vivienne met the royal family twice – and went without underwear both times!
2 – Vivienne studied art and fashion but dropped out after only one term, thinking it was too difficult to make a living creatively. She became a primary school teacher who made and designed jewellery in her spare time, this hobby ended up doing well enough to launch her career as a fashion icon!
3 – Besides fashion, she is also known for activism especially in climate change, nuclear weapons and for human rights.
4 – Vivienne was married to Malcolm McLaren, manager of British punk band The Sex Pistols and they co-managed a fashion boutique together called SEX.
5 – Until 2000, Vivienne lived in the same ex-council flat in Clapham for over 30 years.
6 – Recently, Vivienne Westwoods jewellery has found a whole new audience on TikTok, with Gen Z being a big fan of her designs. Vivienne’s rebellious style resonates with the modern generation who are finding their own voice and speaking it loudly.
7 – Vivienne designed Carrie Bradshaws wedding gown on Sex and the City, as well as the (animated) wedding dress for Lunafreya in the Final Fantasy video game series.
8 – Vivienne was a Taoist, a follower of an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on living in balance and harmony with the universe.
