The British auction house Christie’s had a stunning takeover this week, showcasing the late Dame Vivienne Westwood’s personal wardrobe.
Over 200 of the late designer’s personal pieces were exhibited this past weekend in a private viewing hosted by her husband, Andreas Kronthaler, who is currently serving as the creative director for the brand.
The exhibition showcased Westwood’s own gowns, jewels, suits, shoes, and tights ahead of a historic auction. All the money raised will be donated to the charities Westwood supported, including the Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
The new signage commemorates the “Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection” auction, which will include a series of sales showcasing Westwood’s personal vision and poetic taste. The sale will consist of the designer’s most significant and iconic looks, which she created and wore over the last four decades of her life.
In addition to these rare pieces from the designer’s wardrobe, a limited edition of ‘Playing Cards,’ a project by The Vivienne Foundation designed to support Greenpeace, will be up for sale. Westwood dedicated her life to using her name and reputation to influence and positively impact today’s major issues. At the Christie’s exhibition, a video recording of Westwood was displayed, where she stated, “I want you to help me save the world; I can’t do it all on my own.”
The project started in 2017 in support of the climate revolution. Using strong graphic imagery alongside powerful storytelling, the fashion designer created a set of playing cards to portray a culture-led economic strategy to save the world. An auction will be held for the first of a deluxe edition of ten associated portfolios, presented in a unique linen-covered hand-embroidered box, estimated to sell for £50,000.
Former executive director of Greenpeace U.K. John Sauven, who played a significant part in the creation of the deluxe set, shared some kind words about Westwood with Christie’s: “Vivienne was well-known as a rebel for most of her life but rarely without a cause. For Vivienne, activism was her life. She didn’t compartmentalize it. Fashion here, campaigning there. In fact, she always said everything is connected: fashion, art, education, activism. And she managed to fuse it all together in extraordinary ways. Vivienne has left us the playing cards, an important work of art, that enables her ideas to live on in all of us.”
The garments sold in “Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection” will be auctioned in two parts. The first will be a live auction on June 25th, and the second will be an online sale running between June 14-28th. Key pieces include a corseted, taffeta gown from AW98, estimated at £5,000 to £8,000; a gold, nude illusion embellished dress from AW11, estimated at £7,000 to £10,000; and a striking, emerald green, pointed shoulder suit from AW95, estimated at £3,000 to £5,000. Other notable items include the polka dot dress Westwood wore to receive her DBE in 2006 (£3,000 to £5,000), her SEX choker necklace (£1,500 to £2,500), heaps of pearls, and a selection of well-worn high heels.
Remembering Vivienne Westwood
The designer passed away almost a year and a half ago, in December 2022, at the age of 81, but her legacy continues to live on and her work continues to make big waves.
Known as the “queen of punk,” Westwood had a remarkable reputation, being recognized as one of the most important British fashion designers of all time and the most iconic fashion designer of the last quarter of the 20th century. Combining art with body positivity, she added her own personal punk aesthetic to create a new genre in fashion.
Starting off as a primary school teacher, through a defining moment of meeting Malcolm McLaren, she went on to create her own landmark in the fashion industry worldwide and became a leading figure in the cultural reset of punk aesthetics.
Her work has been celebrated, having been nominated by the British Council as Fashion Designer of the Year in 1990 and 1991, and in 2006 she was awarded a damehood for services to fashion. “Vivienne was a style icon throughout her lifetime. Her deep interest in intellectual and political ideas informed her
