The Fashion Community Mourns the Passing of Designer and Punk Legend Vivienne Westwood

British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood passed away in London on December 29, 2022 at the age of 81. According to an official statement from her company, she died "peacefully and surrounded by her family in Clapham, South London." 

Her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said in a statement, "I will continue with Vivienne in my heart." He adds, "We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling."

The style icon was best known for her key role in the punk movement. By designing and styling outfits for punk bands such as the Sex Pistols, she was able to integrate punk music into fashion. Her provocative designs were what pioneered and defined the whole punk aesthetic in the 1970s, and it continues to influence mainstream fashion to this day.

Vivienne was the very definition of a rebel, but never without a cause. Even after receiving the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II, she was still very anti-establishment. And in true rebel spirit, she went commando underneath her dresses during her visits to the Buckingham Palace.

She was a vocal environmental activist, raising awareness about overconsumption, global warming, and climate change way before it was cool. She used her runways as a platform for her political statements, worked tirelessly to create more sustainable fashion. Vivienne even launched her very own climate campaign, Climate Revolution, in 2012. Over the last two decades of her life, she supported hundreds of NGOs, charities, and campaigns such as Amnesty International and War Child and Liberty.

Vivienne took the world by storm not only through her fashion but through her positive activism as well. She was one of a kind, a genuine human being with a passionate soul. She'll surely be missed. Thousands, including fashion industry tastemakers and celebrities, mourn her death today.

LOOK: Fashion Community and Celebrities Mourn the Passing of Designer and Punk Legend Vivienne Westwood

Rose McGowan

Actress and fellow activist Rose McGowan, who walked at Vivienne's Fall 2019 runway, tweeted that she was "deeply saddened by a true punk's passing."

Kenneth Cole

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole paid tribute to the late icon by sharing a direct quote from Vivienne on Twitter.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis shared a series of posts on Instagram dedicated to Vivienne. "She was a brilliant creator, bold, brash, unique. She influenced SO MANY and gave them the permission to be themselves and beyond themselves." she captioned under the photo she posted of her long-time hairdresser and friend, Sean James, posed next to Vivienne.

"My longtime hairdresser and friend @seanjameshair has been a devotee and brand ambassador forever. She is tattooed all over him and was his muse. What a legacy of creativity she will always be," she continued.

To which Sean James commented, "Lots of tears, but as our good friend @rufuswainwright just texted to reminded me they should be “tears of joy” and to celebrate her great impact on the world, I love how he switched my perspective. Thanks Jamie. Thanks Rufus.

Bella Hadid

It girl and supermodel Bella Hadid dedicated an Instagram post to Vivienne. In the caption she wrote a long letter to the "Queen of punk", saying "From the first day I met you to the last day I saw you, you made me smile, listen, learn and love more than the day before. I will forever be grateful to have been in your orbit, because to me and most, in fashion & in humanity, you, Vivienne, were the sun."

Victoria Beckham

Former Spice Girl and fashion designer, Victoria Beckham, shared her respects through her Instagram stories. "I'm so sad to learn of the passing of legendary designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood. My thoughts are with her family at this incredibly sad time," she said in the story.

Marc Jacobs

American fashion designer Marc Jacobs, who, like Vivienne, also pioneered his own take on grunge, shared a long and heartfelt caption on Instagram dedicated to the late legend.  He said, "Heartbroken. You did it first. Always. Incredible style with brilliant and meaningful substance." 

Pam Hogg

Scottish designer, Pam Hogg, who also shares the same provocative punkish style as Vivienne shared her tribute on Instagram with the caption, "A very sad day. The loss of phenomenal individual. A completely unique and fearless forerunner. What an inspiration. The absolute best."

Halsey

Singer-songwriter, artist, and international pop idol, Halsey, who has featured many of Vivienne's designs in her music videos and on red carpet events, also felt devistated about her passing. 

Vivienne is survived by her husband, Andreas Kronthaler, and her two children, Ben Westwood and Joseph Corré, from her previous marriages.

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