Vivienne Westwood: Designer in Focus brings together a remarkable collection of garments and designs that showcase the extraordinary career of one of Britain’s most influential fashion figures. From her early punk beginnings to her evolution into a boundary-pushing creative force, this display reveals how Westwood continually challenged conventions and reshaped what fashion could be.
Located in the Craft & Design Gallery at the Walker Art Gallery, the exhibition features iconic pieces from Westwood’s most influential collections. Highlights include a wool ‘Koo tunic’ from the Witches Collection (1983-84) with artwork by Keith Haring, the bold pink tartan ‘Dunbar Suit’ from the Anglomania Collection, and a distinctive black velvet suit from the Time Machine Collection, once owned by a Liverpool-born model. These works and more illustrate Westwood’s fearless creativity and her ability to draw inspiration from diverse cultural, historical and artistic sources.
Throughout the display, visitors will see how Westwood’s aesthetic evolved- from the iconoclastic energy of punk and her collaboration with Malcolm McLaren, to her later explorations of historical dress, global cultures and classic British tailoring. The exhibition not only celebrates her fashion achievements but also her lasting impact on art, culture and design.
