Vying for Vivienne

My boyfriend has just gone to London and, as I type, is heading to Royal Ascot in a top hat and tails to partake in the sport of royalty. Well watching it at least, and I’m sure the bar will get a good workout. So being the good girlfriend that I am, I had a little look through his itinerary last night, and I realised in what became absolute jealously and frustration that his ticket to the races includes access to the Bessborough Restaurant where the Royal Ascot Fashion Show takes place. That means Vivienne Westwood. And he doesn’t even care. In fact, he doesn’t even know who she is. Where is the fairness in that? Clearly there isn’t any.

So after giving myself ample time to stomp about in a defiant rage of fashion exclusion, I actually started to think about Ms Vivienne and how she really is an icon of British fashion, and more importantly she is widely credited with bringing modern punk to the mainstream. So AskBronny thought we’d take a little look.

Never one to be considered a wallflower, her early stores had names like Sex and stocked rubber clothing. Her fashion has always remained innovative and importantly, distinctive and she’s managed to stay top of her game for over 30 years which is no mean feat in the fickle fashion world. And how could you ever possibly dis a lady associated with the Sex Pistols and Sex and the City? With partner Malcolm McLaren she was a part of the punk movement and has influenced designers from her famous Cowboy TShirts through to her 9inch stiletto's as worn by Naomi Campbell when she famously tripped on the runway in 1994. The Sex Pistols wore clothes from Vivienne’s early day store to their first gig, and Carrie wore a Westwood gown to her wedding with Big. Admittedly he left her at the alter, but at least she looked fantastic standing there all alone!

Hmph. My boyfriend has literally just called to tell me the fashion show is about to start and he’ll keep me posted as to whether Ms Westwood herself appears. I think he’s enjoying this. And oh dear I seem to be getting myself jealous all over again.

Maybe I should have sent him to Ascot with a Westwood cowboy TShirt under this tophat and tails! I somehow think she would approve.

The Seventies

The Shop

Catwalk Couture

Ms Westwood

Ooh La La ! 9 Inch Heels !