The Iconic Dame Vivienne Westwood: Five Facts You May Not Know

The world said goodbye to one of the most iconic fashion designers of all-time just a few months ago, and a service held in February saw all manner of stars pay their respect to someone who changed how we dress forever.

The embodiment of the punk spirit, Westwood had an impact not just on fashion, but music and wider culture too. She is proof that anyone can do it, coming from a small Derbyshire town, she shook the world.

To celebrate her life, we decided to look back at five interesting facts about her life…

Westwood Was a Primary School Teacher

Before entering the fashion industry, Westwood was a primary school teacher. She studied to become a teacher at the University of London, and she worked as a teacher for a few years before deciding to pursue a career in fashion.

She Was Married to Malcolm McLaren

Married a couple of times, her first was to Malcolm McLaren, the manager of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols. McLaren had a significant influence on Westwood’s early designs, and the couple was at the forefront of the punk movement in the 1970s.

She’s never taken drugs!

Despite being amidst the fashion world, and involved with the Sex Pistols, two aspects of culture well known for drug addiction, Dame Vivienne has never taken the stuff, an inspiration to many trying to follow the same pathway as her.

Back in 2015, she said in an interview: “I’m not interested in drugs. I mean, I do love alcohol. But I don’t like to think I’m not in control. I’ve had a couple of puffs of stuff, me and Chrissie Hynde, smoking something. That was a waste of time. It just gave me a sore throat.”

She Is a Strong Advocate for Climate Change Action

Westwood is known for her strong environmental and political activism. She is a strong advocate for climate change action and has been a vocal critic of the fashion industry’s impact on the environment. In 2018, she launched a campaign called “Climate Revolution” to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable fashion.

Westwood Has Won Numerous Awards for Her Contributions to Fashion

Westwood has won numerous awards for her contributions to fashion, including the Order of the British Empire and the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Fashion Awards. She was also the first British designer to stage a solo exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which showcased her work from the 1970s to the present day.