Westwood, Vivienne (1941–)

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Westwood, Vivienne (1941–)

English fashion designer. Born Vivienne Isabel Swire, April 8, 1941, in Glossopdale, Derbyshire, England; dau. of Gordon Swire and Dora Ball; sister of Gordon and Olga Swire; m. Derek John Westwood (airline steward), 1962 (div. 1966); children: (1st m.) Benjamin (b. 1963); (with Malcolm McLaren) Joseph (b. 1967).

One of the most influential British fashion designers of 20th century, created the '70s punk look; opened memorabilia shop, Let It Rock, on fashionable King's Road with Malcolm McLaren (1971); began creating fashions to sell in shop, catering to budding punk-rock movement, dressing the Sex Pistols; gave shop a makeover, renamed it Seditionaries, and it became the birthplace of punk; had her 1st catwalk show with her romantic Pirates Collection (1981), and experienced great success; began showing designs in Paris (1983); shifted focus to haute couture (1990s); enjoyed considerable mainstream success, with stores in Paris, Moscow, Hong Kong and Seoul; retrospective held at Victoria and Albert Museum (2004). Named British Designer of the Year (1990, 1991); awarded Order of British Empire (OBE).

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Westwood, Vivienne (1941–)

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