- Dame Vivienne Westwood died on Thursday at 81, her fashion house said in a statement.
- Reps for the designer said she died “peacefully” and surrounded by family in South London.
- Westwood was a fashion icon who helped make punk style mainstream.
Dame Vivienne Westwood, the iconic British fashion designer who helped make punk style mainstream, has died, her fashion house said.
She was 81.
In a Twitter statement on Thursday, Westwood’s reps said the legendary designer died “peacefully and surrounded by her family” in Clapham, South London.
“The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better,” the statement said.
Westwood is widely regarded as the “godmother of punk.” Her designs often included corset tops, ruffled plaid, and striking animal prints.
Her first runway show was held in the early ’80s, and her work has continued to impact pop culture in recent years. Celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo frequently represent the designer, and Gen Z has turned certain Vivienne Westwood pieces into wardrobe staples.
In the statement released on Thursday, Westwood’s reps said the fashion icon “continued to do the things she loved,” like designing and creating art, “until the last moment.”
“She led an amazing life,” the statement said. “Her innovation and impact over the last 60 years has been immense and will continue into the future.”
Westwood, who considered herself a Taoist, “always stood for justice and fairness and has been working on a plan to save the world,” according to her reps.
Before her death, she called capitalism a “crime,” criticized the United Kingdom’s treatment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and urged others to help stop climate change.
Westwood also created The Vivienne Foundation — which honors the designer’s work, life, and activism — with her sons and granddaughter in 2022.
Westwood is survived by her husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler.
Source: I N S I D E R
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