British fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood died today (December 29) at the age of 81, it has been confirmed.
“Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London,” a message posted on her official Twitter page read. “The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better.”
In a statement emailed to press, Westwood’s husband and creative partner Andreas Kronthaler said: “I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with.”
Westwood was an integral part of the British punk movement in the 1970s, helping to shape the scene with her clothing. Early in her career, she made clothes for SEX, the Chelsea boutique she ran with Malcolm McLaren. SEX was later renamed Seditionaries: Clothes for Heroes and Westwood and went on to dress Sex Pistols, whom McLaren managed. (NME Report)
Vivienne is gone and the world is already a less interesting place. Love you Viv.
Chrissie— Chrissie Hynde (@ChrissieHynde) December 29, 2022
Vivienne Westwood R.I.P. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/SOEOV3kcwk
— Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) December 29, 2022
