British designer Vivienne Westwood was born in 1941, in Derbyshire, England. Original and outrageous, she is one of the most familiar and influential designers of the late twentieth century. She became well known during the 1970s when she teamed up with rock music entrepreneur, Malcolm McLaren. She opened a store in London and became the center of the punk-rock movement. Her international recognition came in the early 1980s with her new romantics pirate look.
Vivienne Westwood played an essential role in the surfacing of punk-rock during the 70s and went on to become one of the most original and dominant designers of our time. Together, Westwood and McLaren revolutionized fashion, and the impact is still felt today.
With her gentle burlesque of establishment styles, her use of very British materials, a sense of tradition mixed with daring unconformity, and a historical influence that always shown in her work. Her daring and curiosity defines her work and justifies her reputation as the Queen of Cool.
Westwood accepted a DBE in the 2006 New Year's Honors List "for services to fashion", and has twice earned the award for British Designer of the Year.
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