Vivienne Westwood, “enfant terrible” of fashion, died Thursday at the age of 81.
The British designer died “peacefully and surrounded by her family” in Clapham, south London, her team announced on Twitter. “The world needs people like Vivienne to change for the better,” she wrote.
Mme Westwood, one of the forerunners of punk fashion, made her reputation in the 1970s, notably thanks to her SEX boutique, held on King’s Road Avenue with her former husband Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols.
Eccentric, provocative, colorful, contradictory; for decades, Vivienne Westwood’s designs have been in her image. Until her death, the businesswoman campaigned for anti-capitalist, environmentalist and pacifist causes.
Vivienne Westwood had shared her life and work with designer Andreas Kronthaler since 1993. “I will continue with Vivienne in my heart,” he said.
The stylist is survived by two children: Joseph Corré, from her union with Malcolm McLaren, and Ben Westwood, whom she had with her first husband, photographer Derek Westwood.