Westwood was a pioneer of punk fashion, which became known for erotic leather and rubber outfits and bondage styles.
British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has died on Thursday in London, his family says.
Considered one of the icons of the fashion world, Westwood was 81 years old when he died. On the Twitter account of the brand that bears his name, it was said that Westwood died peacefully surrounded by his family.
– In order to change for the better, the world needs more people like Vivienne, the Twitter post said.
Westwood was a pioneer of punk fashion, which became known for erotic leather and rubber outfits and bondage styles. At first, his creations provoked the conservative British. Traditional English craftsmanship with fabrics, for example tartan, inspired him. Crinolines, tourniquets and corsets recur in many of Westwood’s suits.
Westwood combined music and fashion in his work, bringing punk spirit and rebellious politics to the catwalks. Among other things, Westwood is remembered for the leather outfits she popularized in the 1970s and the moment she went to Buckingham Palace to receive a tribute from the Queen without underwear. Westwood also shuddered by sending a topless man eating ice cream on stage at a fashion show Kate Moss’s.
The political activism of the rebel of the fashion world was especially emphasized towards the end of his life. Westwood spoke publicly against arbitrary arrests and nuclear weapons and supported environmental movements and, for example, the environmental organization Greenpeace.
Spouse and work partner of Westwood Andreas Kronthaler said the couple worked together until the end of their spouse’s life.