Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images/Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures
Dame Vivienne Westwood, famed fashion designer and pioneer of the punk rock fashion movement, died at age 81.
According to a public statement from her team, Westwood passed away on Thursday “peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London.”
Vivienne continued to do the things she loved, up until the last moment, designing, working on her art, writing her book, and changing the world for the better. She led an amazing life. Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.
Her team went on to say that Westwood “considered herself a Taoist.” Then added a quote from the 81-year-old.
Tao spiritual system. There was never more need for the Tao today. Tao gives you a feeling that you belong to the cosmos and gives purpose to your life; it gives you such a sense of identity and strength to know you’re living the life you can live and therefore ought to be living: make full use of your character and full use of your life on earth.
“The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better,” the statement concluded.
Many celebrities have donned the threads and custom designs of Vivienne Westwood. Take a look below!
@beyonce wore a #VivienneWestwood custom-made silver sequin corseted two piece, with an elongated lustrous cape for her OTR:II tour in Santa Clara, California, USA.
@Beyonce stars on the cover of the December 2020 issue of @BritishVogue wearing a custom Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood corset dress…
When in London…wear @viviennewestwood.
Harvey sported a corset made by Vivienne Westwood for her 24th birthday photoshoot.
American singer @theestallion wears the Pamela corset dress from the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood Spring-Summer 2022 collection on the cover of @nymag…
@anguscloud, who plays Fezco in ‘Euphoria’, wears the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood Spring-Summer 2022 white chiffon crepe hood, black linen Double-Breast Football jacket and Iris Fishnet t-shirt in the @wonderland Spring 2022 issue…
British singer @adele wears a custom corseted dress in scarlet red satin with silk tulle bolero and train from the couture collection in her latest video for single ‘Oh My God’.
British singer @Adele wears a custom-made corset dress by #VivienneWestwood Couture for @britishvogue ‘s November 2021 cover story.
Musician @fkatwigs wears @ndreasKronthaler for Vivienne Westwood Autumn-Winter 2021/22 look #25 in the music video for her latest single, ‘Measure of a Man’ for upcoming film The King’s Man.
According to PEOPLE, Vivienne Westwood was born Vivienne Isabel Swire in Glossop, Derbyshire, on April 8, 1941. She began designing clothes in 1971. And displayed her first notable collection, ‘Pirate,’ in London in 1981.
Westwood was named British Designer of the Year in 1990 and 1991. In 1992, she was awarded an O.B.E. from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. The designer fearlessly donned a tailored suit, skirt, and sheer stockings.
Westwood would continue to release her collections for the next 60 years.
